Australia is urgently hiring agricultural inspectors, biosecurity officers and consultants due to major biosecurity expansion. Discover new openings, salaries, visa pathways and regional roles in 2025–2026.
Introduction
Australia faces its greatest biosecurity risk in decades. Foot-and-mouth disease lurks in Indonesia, African swine fever circles Asia, and pests like khapra beetle and brown marmorated stink bug arrive on almost every ship and plane. In response, the Australian Government is rapidly expanding its biosecurity workforce. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) plans to create hundreds of new permanent and contract roles for agricultural inspectors, biosecurity officers, and private consultants in 2025–2026. These positions offer skilled migrants a fast track to regional visas and permanent residency.
Why Australia Is Massively Expanding Its Biosecurity Workforce
A single outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease could cost the economy $80 billion. Lumpy skin disease, fall armyworm, and varroa mite have already shown how quickly threats become reality. The Biosecurity Act 2015 gives DAFF stronger powers, while new measures against khapra beetle and BMSB have increased inspection volumes by over 40% since 2022.
At the same time, experienced staff are retiring and border volumes continue to rise. The result: an acute shortage of qualified plant, animal, and compliance experts. The 2024–2025 Federal Budget allocated extra funding specifically for frontline biosecurity staff, leading to ongoing recruitment campaigns across airports, seaports, mail centres, and regional Australia.
In-Demand Roles and Where the Jobs Are Opening
DAFF and private Approved Arrangement (Class 19) sites are hiring for:
– Biosecurity Officer (Entry-Level to Senior) – airports, seaports, mail centres
– Agricultural Inspector / Quarantine Inspector – horticulture, grain, grain and seed pathways
– Plant Biosecurity Specialist – phytosanitary certification, pest surveillance
– Animal Biosecurity / Veterinary Officer – livestock imports, emergency response
– Biosecurity Risk Analyst – import risk analysis, BICON updates
– Private Biosecurity Consultant – fumigation, treatment providers, Accredited Persons (AA scheme)
Hotspots for regional biosecurity jobs include:
– Western Australia (Perth, Kununurra, Broome)
– Queensland (Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville)
– Northern Territory (Darwin – Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy)
– South Australia (Adelaide)
– Victoria (Melbourne) and NSW (Sydney) also recruit heavily at international gateways.
Many roles qualify for priority processing under the Skills in Demand visa and attract 491/494 regional visa sponsorship.
Salaries, Benefits and Career Progression
New biosecurity officers (APS 3–4 level) start at AUD 70,000–85,000 + super + allowances. Experienced agricultural inspectors and consultants commonly earn AUD 95,000–130,000. Private consultancy and contractor rates often exceed AUD 150,000 per year.
Benefits include generous relocation packages for regional roles, paid training, overtime penalties, and a clear promotion pathway to Executive Level positions. DAFF also funds postgraduate study in biosecurity, plant pathology, and entomology.
How Skilled Migrants Can Secure These Roles
Most positions require a relevant degree (agriculture, biological science, veterinary science) and at least two years of experience. However, DAFF runs graduate programmes and trainee programmes that accept overseas qualifications.
Key advantages for migrants:
– Many roles appear on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) or Core Skills Occupation List
– Regional positions attract employer sponsorship (subclass 494) with a 3-year path to permanent residency (191)
– Positive skills assessments via VETASSESS are fast (6–8 weeks)
Private companies operating Approved Arrangements also sponsor overseas fumigators, auditors, and treatment specialists under the Accredited Person scheme.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
Agricultural inspector and biosecurity-related occupations frequently receive state nomination for:
– Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (5-year visa → PR after 3 years)
– Subclass 190 State Nominated Permanent Visa (NSW, VIC, WA, SA actively nominate)
The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) roles in Darwin and far-north Queensland offer extra nomination points and priority processing.
Conclusion
Australia’s biosecurity expansion is creating hundreds of stable, well-paid jobs that offer skilled migrants a genuine shortcut to permanent residency. With threats rising and funding secured, these opportunities will continue well into 2026 and beyond. If you have qualifications in agriculture, biology, or veterinary science, now is the ideal time to explore biosecurity officer recruitment and agricultural inspector jobs in Australia.
