Dairy Industry Labour Agreement

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Sponsor Skilled Dairy Workers for Your Farm

The Dairy Industry Labour Agreement enables Australian dairy businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers for two key occupations—Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker and Dairy Cattle Farm Operator—on temporary or permanent visas. This industry-specific agreement offers set terms and special concessions, supporting regional workforce needs.

Eligible Occupations

Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker (ImmiAccount code 070499)
Dairy Cattle Farm Operator (ImmiAccount code 070499)
- Note: No ANZSCO code—use 070499 when nominating.

Visa Options

You can sponsor eligible workers for:

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

Key Tasks & Role Descriptions

Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker examples:

Planning and managing milking, herd fertility, calving, and animal health programs
Supervising staff, operating equipment, ensuring animal welfare and food safety
Record-keeping, quality assurance, and contributing to OHS/emergency response

Dairy Cattle Farm Operator examples:

Operating milking plants and equipment
Monitoring machinery and reporting faults
Recording data (milk vat temps, cow numbers, etc.)
Routine farm work, machinery maintenance, working unsupervised as needed

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker:
- AQF Certificate III (or equivalent) + 2 years’ recent relevant experience
- OR at least 3 years’ recent relevant experience
Dairy Cattle Farm Operator:
- AQF Certificate II or III (or equivalent),
- OR at least 1 year’s recent relevant experience (on-the-job training may also be required)
All workers: Must meet any additional visa-specific experience requirements

English Language Requirements

482 (Skills in Demand) visa:
- Category 1 region: IELTS 5.0 overall, minimum 4.0 per band
- Category 2/3 region: IELTS 5.0 overall, no minimum per band
186 (ENS) visa:
- All regions: IELTS 5.0 overall, minimum 4.5 per band
494 (SESR) visa:
- Category 2/3 region: IELTS 5.0 overall, no minimum per band
Equivalent OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE, CAE test scores are accepted.

Salary (TSMIT) & Employment Terms

Meet salary requirements for 482/186/494 visas.
In Category 3 regions (most rural areas), the minimum salary can be 90% of TSMIT (494) or 90% of CSIT (482/186).
All workers must be employed full-time and in compliance with National Employment Standards (NES) regarding overtime, conditions, and market salary.

Age Requirements

No age limit for 482 (Skills in Demand) visa.
For 186/494 visas:
- Category 1 region: Standard age limits apply (usually under 45)
- Category 2/3 region: Under 55 at time of application

Program Concessions

Regional concessions: Lower English and salary requirements in Category 2/3 regional locations.
Non-ANZSCO code: Both roles use code 070499.
Permanent residency pathway: Available for eligible workers after meeting visa and employment requirements.

Application Process for Employers

Confirm eligibility for your business and position.
Nominate the occupation (use 070499).
Prepare evidence of genuine need, compliance, and all required documents.
Apply through ImmiAccount using the Dairy Industry Labour Agreement stream.
Sponsor skilled workers for 482, 494, or (after three years) 186 visas.

Need Help with Dairy Industry Labour Agreement?

Our team can assess your eligibility, prepare your application, and help you sponsor skilled dairy workers to secure your farm’s future.

📞 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation We assist clients across Australia and internationally.

Related Pages & Further Reading

Get Your Question Answered

Practice Areas

FAQ

Find answers to common questions about our Labour Agreement services and processes. If you need further assistance, please contact us.

Which occupations are eligible?

Only Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker and Dairy Cattle Farm Operator (code 070499).

482, 494, and 186 (PR).

Are concessions available?

Yes—regional employers get concessions on English, salary, and age.

What are the experience requirements?

See above for each occupation—at least 1–3 years recent experience depending on the role.

Can I employ part-time or casual staff?

No, all sponsored staff must be full-time.