MACHINERY & MAINTENANCE

The backbone of every successful farming operation

Australia’s agricultural industry runs on skilled hands and reliable machinery. From seeding and spraying to harvesting and haulage, machinery operators and maintenance workers are essential to keeping farms productive season after season.

Agri Labour Australia connects experienced operators and mechanically minded workers with leading agribusinesses across Australia, placing people in roles that match their skills, experience and availability.

Whether you’re an experienced broadacre operator, a licensed forklift driver or a maintenance worker with a sharp eye for detail, there’s a role for you in Aussie ag.

Why it’s great to work with us

Industry-leading candidate care

Agri Labour Australia is proud to lead the industry when it comes to candidate care – providing comprehensive and ongoing support, throughout the placement and beyond.

Availability of ongoing roles

As agriculture experts with an extensive network of clients, we’re able to provide successful candidates with opportunities for more work after a placement ends.

A ready-made group of friends

Our candidates are all part of #myagrifamily – a fun and connected group of people from around the globe who work in the great Australian ag industry.

We're with you from start to finish

You’ll have direct access to your recruiter throughout your placement for questions, support, or help lining up your next role when the season wraps.

Available roles

Machinery operator and maintenance roles in Australian agriculture cover a wide range of equipment and responsibilities. Agri Labour Australia places workers across all phases of on-farm operations, including but not limited to:

Tractor operator
- Operating tractors for cultivation, planting, spraying, and general farm tasks. Must be comfortable working long hours across varying terrain and conditions.
Combine harvester operator
- Responsible for operating and monitoring combine harvesters during grain and broadacre harvest. Experience with GPS guidance systems is advantageous.
Seeder/planter operator
- Operating seeding and planting machinery to accurate depth and row-spacing specifications. Attention to detail and an understanding of crop requirements is essential.
Sprayer operator
- Applying crop protection and fertiliser products using boom or precision sprayers. A current Chemical Certificate (ChemCert or equivalent) is required for this role.
Irrigation hand
- Setting up, monitoring and managing irrigation systems to ensure efficient water delivery across crops and pastures.
Bale operator
- Operating round or square balers during hay and silage operations. Includes monitoring bale quality and carrying out basic maintenance checks.
Loader/telehandler operator
- Handling grain, fodder, and materials using front-end loaders and telehandlers. A current licence or ticket is required.
Forklift operator
- Operating forklifts in shed, depot and on-farm storage environments. A current LF or LO class forklift licence is required.
Grablift/moonbuggy operator
- Operating specialised harvesting and fruit-handling machinery. Previous experience in horticulture or broadacre settings is advantageous.
Farm maintenance worker
- Carrying out preventative and reactive maintenance across machinery, equipment, fencing, and infrastructure. A mechanical aptitude and hands-on approach are essential.

Who we’re looking for

Mechanical aptitude sets the best operators apart

Whether you’re running a combine harvester at harvest time or carrying out maintenance on a seeder between seasons, the ability to understand how machinery works and how to keep it working, is what separates a good operator from a great one.

Reliability and situational awareness on every shift

Farming operations don’t wait. We need people who show up ready to go, stay switched on throughout the day, and can read a situation and respond appropriately. Whether that’s adjusting to changing conditions in the paddock or flagging a maintenance issue before it becomes a problem.

Communication skills and a safety-first mindset

You’ll be working as part of a broader team and in close proximity to heavy machinery. Strong communication, the ability to follow instructions clearly, and a genuine commitment to keeping yourself and your team-mates safe are non-negotiable.

Composure under pressure

Peak periods in agriculture move fast. Breakdowns, weather windows, and tight harvest timelines mean things can escalate quickly. We look for people who stay level-headed, prioritise the right tasks, and keep the operation running safely and efficiently when the pressure is on.

Safety

Prioritising safety in agricultural machinery operations

Agri Labour Australia is fully committed to ensuring the safety of all our staff. All successful applicants are required to participate in inductions, role-specific training and pre-employment education before commencing work, ensuring every worker arrives on site equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to operate safely.

Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is carried out prior to placement, with random testing conducted throughout your employment. When it comes to working with heavy machinery, we don’t cut corners and neither should you.