Want to work outdoors, learn commercial horticulture on the job, and finish early most afternoons? I think this might suit you. Gourmet Herbs Pty Ltd, a hydroponic herb and edible flower grower in Glossodia, is hiring a full-time Assistant Farm Manager. The company is described as a leading producer of hydroponically grown herbs and edible flowers for the Sydney Markets. The recruiter is Hendy HR Consulting, and the role appeared on SEEK as a full-time Assistant Farm Manager and Grounds Maintenance position in the Hawkesbury region.
The title is misleading, though. This is a hands-on production role, not a desk-based management job. This guide covers the duties, licences, rosters, salary benchmarks and visa question, so you can decide before you apply. In this guide, we’ll explain all important things about getting this job.
Assistant Farm Manager Jobs 2026: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Assistant Farm Manager |
| Employer | Gourmet Herbs Pty Ltd |
| Recruiter | Hendy HR Consulting Pty Ltd |
| Location | Glossodia, Hawkesbury Region, NSW |
| Employment type | Full-time, 38 ordinary hours per week |
| Working days | Monday to Saturday |
| Industry | Horticulture / hydroponic farming |
| Experience | Horticulture desirable, not essential |
| Must have | Current ChemCert, current forklift licence, reliable private transport |
| Also required | Zero-turn mower operation, full Australian working rights |
| Pre-employment | Drug and alcohol testing |
What Does an Assistant Farm Manager Do at Gourmet Herbs?
The role combines farm production with property upkeep. Expect physical, outdoor work in all weather.
Farm operations and production
- Picking, tying, and packing herbs and edible flowers
- Running the germination house, a core part of the farm’s production system
- Following the company’s work practices and procedures
- Helping with other farm and production tasks as needed
Grounds maintenance
- Mowing (including zero-turn mower work) and whipper snipping
- Hedging and pruning
- Weed spraying
- General property maintenance
If you’re searching for farm operations supervisor or farm administration work, note that this advertisement is about doing the work, not supervising a large team.
Requirements: Licences, Skills and Conditions
Check every item below before you apply.
1. Current ChemCert accreditation. Chemical accreditation matters because the job includes weed spraying.
2. Current forklift licence. The ad lists it as required.
3. Zero-turn mower confidence. You need to operate it safely and responsibly.
4. Reliable private transport. Public transport isn’t a practical option to the farm, especially for a 4:00 am start.
5. Full Australian working rights. See the visa section below.
6. Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. This is part of the recruitment process.
7. Physical fitness and reliability. The employer wants a hard-working, punctual team member.
Do You Need Horticulture Experience? (Entry-Level Friendly)
No. Horticultural experience is desirable, but the employer says it will train new staff in its practices and procedures. That makes this one of the more accessible entry-level farm manager jobs in Australia, provided you already hold the licences.
Transferable backgrounds include:
- Landscaping and gardening
- Grounds and property maintenance
- Nursery work
- General agriculture
- Other physical outdoor or warehouse work
Tip: Explain how your past work maps to the duties. “Operated ride-on mowers and hedge trimmers across a 5-acre property” beats “Groundskeeper.”
Working Hours: Summer and Winter Rosters
Ordinary hours are 38 per week, Monday to Saturday, and the roster changes with the season.
| Day | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Wednesday | 4:00 am – 10:30 am | 7:00 am – 1:30 pm |
| Thursday–Friday | 4:00 am – 12:30 pm | 7:00 am – 3:30 pm |
| Saturday | 4:00 am – 8:00 am | 7:00 am – 11:00 am |
Employees get a 30-minute unpaid break on Monday to Friday shifts. Start and finish times can change with seasonal and operational needs.
The 38 hours add up. Total time on site is 40.5 hours (three 6.5-hour days, two 8.5-hour days and one 4-hour Saturday). Take off five unpaid half-hour breaks, and you get 38 paid hours.
The early finishes suit people who want afternoons free. The 4:00 am summer start is the real test, so be honest about whether it works for you.
Visa Sponsorship: Read This Carefully
The summary information lists visa sponsorship as available. The same advertisement also says applicants need full Australian working rights. Those two points don’t sit comfortably together.
The safe reading is that you should already have the right to work in Australia when you apply. Before you spend time on an application from overseas, ask Hendy HR Consulting directly:
- Is sponsorship actually offered for this position?
- Which visa types or existing work rights are acceptable?
Scams target people looking for agricultural jobs in Australia for foreigners. Apply only through official channels, and never pay a fee to secure a job.
Assistant Farm Manager Salary in Australia: What to Expect
The advertisement information available to me doesn’t state a pay rate for this role, so confirm it with the recruiter. Benchmarks vary widely, and much of the variation comes from what “assistant farm manager” means at different employers:
- Jora puts the average for assistant farm manager jobs in Australia at $90,000 a year, based on employer-disclosed SEEK ranges.
- PayScale reports a median farm manager base salary of about A$70,000, with a 10th-to-90th percentile range of A$49,000 to A$100,000.
- Jobted notes that assistant farm managers tend to earn the lowest salaries among farm managers, and puts entry-level farm managers at roughly AU$53,000.
- A recruiter’s 2026 guide puts corporate assistant farm manager base pay at $95,000 to $125,000, and says job-board averages understate that end of the market.
- SEEK’s farm manager salary page shows an average between $95,000 and $115,000.
How to Become an Assistant Farm Manager in Australia
This job doesn’t require a degree. If you want a longer farm management career, a typical route looks like this:
- Get hands-on experience in farm, nursery, landscaping or grounds work.
- Gain tickets and accreditations such as ChemCert and a forklift licence.
- Study if you want to progress. Many people pursue vocational qualifications in agriculture or horticulture. Check current course options with a registered training organisation.
- Take on responsibility by running a section, training others or managing a roster.
- Move up to farm operations supervisor or farm manager roles.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Search the current listing on SEEK for “Assistant Farm Manager Glossodia.” Check the closing date, because listings can close early.
- Confirm your eligibility against the checklist above.
- Update your CV with duties, not just job titles.
- List your licences prominently. Put ChemCert and forklift at the top with expiry dates.
- Describe equipment experience such as mowers, hedge trimmers, and spraying gear.
- Address transport and availability directly. Say you have a vehicle and can work the 4:00 am summer start.
- Submit through the listing and follow up politely if you don’t hear back.
Cover letter opener: “I hold a current ChemCert and forklift licence, have my own transport, and I’m available for seasonal Monday to Saturday rosters.”
Farm Jobs in Other States: What Else Is Out There?
If Glossodia doesn’t suit you, similar rural work appears in every state. Some examples from recent SEEK listings:
- Queensland: a family-run farm in the Scenic Rim was recruiting harvest and packing staff for fresh herbs. A horticulture company near Bundaberg advertised a leadership role managing production and harvesting. Farm manager jobs in Queensland often include a wider range of crops.
- Western Australia: a full-time farm hand role in the Northam and Wheatbelt area involved carrot harvesting and machinery operation.
- Northern Territory: a casual role in Katherine was advertised at $32 per hour.
- New South Wales: the Hawkesbury and Richmond area is a strong option for hydroponic and horticulture jobs in Australia.
If you’re specifically after farm jobs in Australia with accommodation, note that this Gourmet Herbs advertisement doesn’t mention housing. Filter for accommodation on job boards and confirm terms before you commit.
Also Read: Flour Mill Jobs in Uganda with Visa Sponsorship 2026: Full Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is this job located?
Glossodia, in the Hawkesbury Region of New South Wales.
Is it full-time?
Yes, 38 ordinary hours per week, Monday to Saturday.
Do I need horticulture experience?
No. It’s desirable, and training is provided.
Is visa sponsorship available?
The ad lists sponsorship as available but also requires full Australian working rights. Confirm with the recruiter before applying.
What are the summer hours?
Monday to Wednesday 4:00–10:30 am, Thursday and Friday 4:00 am–12:30 pm, Saturday 4:00–8:00 am.
What are the winter hours?
Monday to Wednesday 7:00 am–1:30 pm, Thursday and Friday 7:00–3:30 pm, Saturday 7:00–11:00 am.
Final Thoughts:
The job is a good fit if you have the right licence, your own transport, good physical fitness, and are comfortable starting work very early in the morning. If this sounds like you, check the current job listing and apply before the position closes. Always avoid scams and fraud.
Have you worked in hydroponics, farming, or a job with early morning starts? Share your experience in the comments and send this guide to anyone looking for work in Australia, especially those looking for farm jobs.
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Disclaimer: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. Check official sources before taking any action.