The Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement: 31 Occupations for Growers and Packers

Growers and packing sheds struggle to fill skilled roles every season. So the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement gives them a sponsorship route with set concessions.

Agreement terms checked on 14 October 2026 on the Home Affairs ILA page and in the template agreement. Home Affairs can change them at any time. Therefore, confirm the current terms on the Home Affairs ILA page and in the template agreement before you act.

What the horticulture ILA is

An industry labour agreement is a template deal between Home Affairs and a sector. As a result, the terms are set and non-negotiable. The horticulture agreement runs for five years. However, the concessions depend on the visa and on the regional category of the worksite.

For the wider picture, read our pillar guide to labour agreements in Australia. Our aged care, restaurant and meat ILA guides cover three sibling agreements. Meanwhile, our guide to what a DAMA is explains the regional alternative. Shepparton growers can also compare the Goulburn Valley DAMA.

The horticulture ILA at a glance

31 occupations, from agronomist to forklift driver

Home Affairs says the agreement covers 31 identified occupations. We counted 31 on 14 October 2026. Fifteen sit on the eligible skilled occupation lists. The other 16 do not, so they follow the agreement’s own skill rules.

For example, the on-list group includes Agronomist (234112), Maintenance Electrician (341111), Mechanic (321211) and Nurseryperson (362411). By contrast, the off-list group includes Horticulture Grower, Horticulture Farm Manager, Protected Cropping Grower and Facility Supervisor. All four use code 070499. Notably, the standard occupation caveats do not apply.

The 494, though, is not available for the three skill level 5 roles: Horticulture Section Manager, Irrigationist and Irrigationist Assistant.

Skills, qualifications and experience

For the 15 on-list occupations, the standard skill and qualification rules apply. There is no experience concession for the 482 or the 186. However, a 494 nominee needs at least two years of relevant experience.

For the 16 off-list occupations, every applicant needs a VETASSESS skills assessment. In addition, they must meet the skill level in the agreement and show two years of relevant experience. For instance, a Horticulture Grower needs a Certificate III or IV. Alternatively, three years of experience with formal training, or five years without, will do.

The English concession

For the 482, the worker needs IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 4.0 in each component, or an equivalent test. For the 186 and the 494, the overall score stays at 5.0. However, each component must reach 4.5.

Salary: 90 per cent of the threshold

The salary concession applies in every regional category. Earnings must be at least 90 per cent of the Core Skills Income Threshold for the 482 and 186. For the 494, the floor is 90 per cent of the TSMIT. Both thresholds sit at AUD79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. So the floor works out to about AUD71,480 this year.

Even so, the worker must earn no less than an equivalent Australian at the market rate. The template also lets guaranteed, quantifiable benefits such as housing count towards earnings. Every position must be full time. Moreover, the sponsor owes a top-up if an Australian doing equivalent work earns more over a year.

Age and labour market testing

Home Affairs sets no age limit for the 482. For the 494 and the 186, however, the worker must be under 50 at lodgement.

Labour market testing applies to every 482 and 494 nomination. In Category 1, the evidence must match the standard program. In Category 2, the sponsor needs two attempts with national reach in the past 12 months. In Category 3, one of the two may be local or regional. Home Affairs defines each category on its regional postcodes page. Then our labour market testing guide covers the general rules.

The pathway to permanent residence

The agreement approves a 186 nomination only after a transition period. First, for skill level 1, 2 and 3 occupations, the worker needs three years with the sponsor. That time must be as a primary 457 or 482 holder in the nominated occupation. Then, for skill level 4 and 5 occupations, the period is four years.

Extra obligations under the agreement

The template also adds obligations beyond the standard ones. First, the sponsor must pay the worker directly from an Australian bank account, including tax and super. Second, it cannot recover recruitment or English testing costs. Third, any accommodation must be optional and charged at a fair market rate. Finally, any labour hire firm used to source the worker must be licensed. The worker must then work directly for the sponsor.

What it costs

Home Affairs names no endorsing body for this agreement, so no industry fee applies. Commonwealth figures, re-verified on Home Affairs on 14 October 2026:

• There is no cost to request a labour agreement.
• Sponsorship approval costs AUD420. A 482 nomination costs AUD330 and a 186 nomination AUD540.
• The SAF levy for the 482 is AUD1,200 per year under AUD10 million turnover, otherwise AUD1,800. For the 186 and 494, it is AUD3,000 or AUD5,000 one-off.
• The 482 Labour Agreement stream visa starts from AUD4,015. The 186 and 494 streams each start from AUD6,140.

Then see our guides to 482 sponsorship costs and the Skills in Demand visa.

Frequently asked questions

Which visas does the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement cover?

It covers the 482, the 494 and the 186. However, the 186 follows a three or four year transition, depending on the skill level of the occupation.

How many occupations does the horticulture ILA list?

Home Affairs lists 31, and we counted 31 on 14 October 2026. Fifteen are on the eligible skilled lists. The other 16, such as Horticulture Grower, need a VETASSESS assessment.

What English scores apply under the horticulture ILA?

For the 482, IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 4.0 in each component, or equivalent. For the 186 and 494, IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 4.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Is there a salary concession under the horticulture ILA?

Yes. Earnings can be 90 per cent of the CSIT (482 and 186) or the TSMIT (494). Even so, the worker must earn no less than an equivalent Australian.

What is the age limit under the horticulture ILA?

There is no age limit for the 482. For the 494 and the 186, the worker must be under 50 at lodgement. By contrast, the standard limit is 45.

Sam Kanjo, Migration Lawyer, Skyline Migration Lawyers, Melbourne.

Talk to us about the horticulture ILA

We help growers, packers and nurseries with labour agreement requests and nominations. Call Skyline Migration Lawyers on 03 8108 8748. Or email info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au.

This article is general information only. It is not legal advice and it does not guarantee any outcome. Labour agreement terms change, so please seek advice tailored to your business before you act.