How to become a Landcare Worker
Landcare workers perform a range of tasks to maintain and restore native bushland and farmland.
Personal requirements for a Landcare Worker
- Interested in the preservation of natural bushland
- Good attention to detail
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
- Able to work as part of a team
Education & Training for a Landcare Worker
You can work as a landcare worker without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications. You may like to consider a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.You can also become a landcare worker through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Duties & Tasks of a Landcare Worker
Landcare workers:
- Kill and remove weeds and unwanted vegetation using minimal disturbance techniques or herbicides
- Collect seeds from local and native plants
- Propagate local and native plants
- Replant native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers
- Take part in pest eradication programs
- Collect botanical and environmental data
- Map vegetation
- Construct and maintain tracks and facilities in bushland
- Maintain equipment
- Apply control measures to combat salinity.
Tasks
- Builds trellises for climbing plants and vines.
- Operates machinery to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest crops.
- Selects and harvests crops according to size and ripeness, while discarding rotting and over-ripened produce.
- Grades, sorts, bunches and packs produce into containers and loads onto trucks.
- Plants crops using hand tools and farm machines.
- Fells and de-barks non-productive crops and thins young plantations.
- Irrigates land for crop growth.
- Sprays plants, crops and pastures with chemicals to control weed growth, insects, fungus growth and diseases.
- Collects seeds and cultivates seedlings for replanting purposes.
- Maintains farm, forest and garden roads, buildings, facilities, signs and equipment.
Working conditions for a Landcare Worker
Landcare workers frequently use herbicides and equipment to prune trees and remove debris. Much of the work is fairly strenuous and involves a lot of bending and working at ground level. This is an outdoor job and workers are exposed to the elements.
Employment Opportunities for a Landcare Worker
Landcare workers are employed by state, territory and local governments, as well as private organisations and mining companies.Job opportunities are expanding with greater awareness of environmental issues. With experience, and sometimes further training, landcare workers may progress to more senior or specialised roles, such as technical officer, project officer and project manager.
Specializations
Bushland Regenerator
A bushland regenerator aims to restore disrupted native bushland as close as possible to its original, undisturbed state.
Environmental Field Officer
An environmental field officer applies appropriate control measures to assist in protecting and minimising the harmful effects of human activity on the environment.
Environmental Field Officer
An environmental field officer applies appropriate control measures to assist in protecting and minimising the harmful effects of human activity on the environment.
Landcare Worker
Landcare workers perform a range of tasks to maintain and restore native bushland and farmland.
Average age
41
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
22% female
Average full-time
43 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
61%
Employment Size
4,600
Employment by state
ACT: 1.2%
NSW: 43.0%
NT: 1.6%
QLD: 17.9%
SA: 8.0%
TAS: 1.8%
VIC: 15.0%
WA: 11.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 3.3%
20-24: 13.8%
25-34: 20.4%
35-44: 19.3%
45-54: 21.3%
55-59: 10.2%
60-64: 6.9%
65 and Over: 4.8%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 11.6%
Bachelor degree: 15%
Certificate III/IV: 30.6%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 2.9%
Year 10 and below: 19.2%
Year 11: 6%
Year 12: 14.7%
