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How to Become an Agricultural Engineer: Australian Careers in Agriculture

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What is a Agricultural Engineer?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Agricultural Engineer?

An agricultural engineer uses engineering skills to help farming, food production, and land care. They design machines, structures, and systems that make agriculture safer, faster, and greener.

Day to day, these engineers create drawings and run design checks for farm tools and site work. They work closely with farmers and other experts to fix problems on the land.

Testing and checking projects is a key part of the role. Engineers make sure designs are safe and work well under real farm conditions.

This career suits those who enjoy both tech and the outdoors. In Australia, about 130 agricultural engineers are at work, with strong future demand forecast (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Find agricultural engineering courses near you.

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Career snapshots For Agricultural Engineers

Agricultural engineering (ANZSCO 233912) has strong future demand in Australia (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Around 130 engineers work in this field (ABS Census, 2021). Most work full-time, averaging 43 hours per week. The median age is 45, pointing to an expert workforce.

Average weekly pay is about $2,502, equal to around $130,000 per year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Roles span farming, making, and expert services. With growing focus on green farming and precision agriculture, job prospects remain strong.

What will I do?

Agricultural engineers work at the heart of engineering and farming. They build solutions that help farms run safely, well, and in a green way.

  • Create specs, drawings, and prototypes for farm machines and structures.
  • Run engineering checks to confirm designs are safe and work as intended.
  • Work across teams to align materials, sites, designs, and schedules.
  • Test and inspect finished projects, note issues, and make fixes.

What skills do I need?

Agricultural engineers need a strong mix of technical and hands-on skills. Key skills include using engineering principles from mechanical, civil, and electrical areas to help farm systems and tools.

Sharp thinking and maths are vital for designing safe and efficient systems. Good communication and teamwork help engineers work with farmers, agencies, and other experts across projects.

Attention to detail matters when making specs, drawings, and technical reports. A will to keep learning is just as key, as farm tech keeps growing fast.

Skills/attributes

  • Strong analytical and mathematical skills
  • Knowledge of mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering principles
  • Familiarity with agricultural systems, machinery, and technology
  • Ability to design and implement engineering solutions
  • Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Project management skills
  • Understanding of environmental standards and sustainable practices
  • Ability to conduct field tests and analyse data
  • Knowledge of soil science and crop production
  • Adaptability to new technologies and methods

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.