Agricultural Research Scientist
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$115,400
Full-time annual
People employed
3,400
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Researches and studies commercial plants, animals and cultivation techniques to enhance the productivity of farms and agricultural industries.
Alternative titles
Agricultural Scientist
Specialisations
Scope note: Aquaculture and Fisheries Scientists are excluded from this occupation. Aquaculture and Fisheries Scientists are included in Occupation 244134 Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Researches and studies the environmental factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth and animal breeding
- Researches and studies the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects and plant diseases on animal and crop production
- Develops procedures and techniques for solving agricultural or horticultural problems, and improving the efficiency of production
- Designs and conducts experiments to test new farming methods and technologies
- Collaborates with farmers and industry stakeholders to prioritise research needs
- Writes research proposals and secures funding for agricultural research projects, and presents findings at conferences and publishes them in scientific journals
- Provides technical advice and support to farmers on best practices for crop cultivation and animal husbandry
- Develops and implements strategies for sustainable agriculture and resource management
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
15%
Female rate
31%
Median age
41
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+9%
827 projected jobs
to 2035
+17%
1,650 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Applied Agronomy
Progression pathway
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
8
ACT · May 2026
0
VIC · May 2026
7
NT · May 2026
0
SA · May 2026
5
NSW · May 2026
8
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Agricultural Research Scientist.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Darling Downs - Maranoa
666 estimated employed
- 1
Darling Downs - Maranoa
666 employed
QLD
+23.56%
year on year
- 2
Cairns
626 employed
QLD
+6.28%
year on year
- 3
Toowoomba
576 employed
QLD
+22.29%
year on year
- 4
North West
482 employed
VIC
+12.09%
year on year
- 5
New England and North West
436 employed
NSW
-12.45%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
5,045
Moved in from another occupation
510
Moved to another occupation
300
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 244132
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.