Masters in Agriculture in Australia

The Masters in Agriculture in Australia is popular amongst international students due to the immense quality of education and international job opportunities that they can secure once they finish their course.

Also, you can look at going for vast scopes like science, business, and research with advanced technological expertise in the field. There are several reasons why studying a Masters in Agriculture in Australia is an excellent choice:

1. Scholarships: Australia offers a wide range of scholarships for international students pursuing studies in agriculture-related fields. These scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of tuition and living expenses, making it more accessible for students to pursue their studies.

2. Exporting power: Australia is one of the largest exporters of agricultural products in the world. This provides students with valuable insights into global agricultural markets, as well as the opportunity to network with industry professionals and gain hands-on experience through internships and research projects.

3. Recognised degrees: Australian universities are highly regarded worldwide for their quality of education, research output, and innovation in the agricultural sector. Earning a degree from an Australian university can boost your career prospects and increase your employability in the global market.

4. Large Agri workforce: Australia has the largest agricultural workforce in the Asia-Pacific region, providing ample opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships and other work-based learning opportunities. Studying in Australia also provides access to world-class research facilities and experts in the field of agriculture.

The cost of studying masters in varies from university to university. Not only Australia continues being one of the most preferred destinations amongst Indian students, but it is also one of the most affordable. Depending on the course and university the fees may range anywhere between 40,000 to 50,000 AUD annually. Here’s the tentative fee for some of the popular universities in Australia for Masters in Agriculture:

To help offset some of the costs involved in post-graduate studies we have come up with a list of scholarships that international students can take. These scholarships are usually divided into 3 categories, Merit-based, need-based, and research-based. You can visit the website of all these scholarship providers to know exactly where you stand and which one of these scholarships can suit you.

To be considered for admission to a Master's program in Agriculture in Australia, applicants must meet certain requirements. You shall meet the following criteria to get into one of the Universities:

1. Academic requirements: You need a minimum education qualification of 12+3 years with a good academic background and an undergraduate degree from a certified university.

2. IELTS scores: You need a minimum band score of 6.5 in an English language proficiency test like the IELTS.

3. Professional references: Whether it is Jobs or International University admissions, professional references go a long way. Including two professional references with your application adds credibility, which is highly valued by many institutions.

4. Work experience: Well not all may have it, especially the students, but if you have worked before and now seeking admission then it’s always an added advantage with your application and relevant experience in the same field will give you an edge over other applicants.

As it has been already established that the agricultural sector has been one of the most important sectors in Australia, it also comes with huge benefits. Also, the job scope and the salary are at par with many other professional fields like IT, Law, Medical, etc.

Agricultural, fisheries and forestry production, 2002–03 to 2021–22*

As per DAFF the gross value of agricultural, fisheries and forestry production has increased by 59% in the last 20 years from approximately 59 billion to 93 billion in 2021-22.

Agriculture, fisheries and forestry value of production, by commodity, 2021–22*

Australian agriculture has achieved a record gross value of production in 2021-22, thanks to past reforms, investments in productivity, and industry responses to both domestic and global pressures. These factors have positioned the sector well to capitalise on historically high global commodity prices and navigate the uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Cameron and Greenville (2022). Compositional shifts in output also reflect changes in Australian agriculture over the past five decades, with horticultural commodities, meat, oilseeds, and pulses accounting for larger shares of production, while wool and milk account for less.

Agricultural production has changed, contributing to an overall increase in output*

The below image depicts how Australia exports approximately 72% of the total value of its agricultural, fisheries, and forestry production, with each industry's export orientation varying depending on the commodity type. While wheat and beef are more export-focused due to their large sectors, dairy, horticulture, and pork have a lower export orientation. The value of agricultural exports has fluctuated between $41 billion and $71 billion in real terms since 2002-03. In the fiscal year 2021-22, the exports of agricultural, fisheries, and forestry in Australia reached a record high of approximately $76 billion. Grains, oilseeds, and pulses emerged as the fastest-growing export category with an average annual growth rate of 10% in value terms between 2002-03 and 2021-22, trailed by other horticulture commodities (excluding fruits and vegetables) at 5%, and meat and live animals at 4%

Australian agriculture is export oriented

According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Labour Force Survey (LFS) (ABS 2023c), labour is a critical input to Australian agriculture, with an average of 300,000 people employed in the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sector over the four quarters leading up to November 2022. However, the ABS LFS only covers the Australian resident civilian population, and a considerable number of overseas workers are employed in the agriculture sector, which the survey does not capture. As a result, there is an underestimation of approximately 8% or 25,000 workers.

Here are the average salaries for different fields in the Agriculture sector in Australia according to the PayScale data 2023:

*According to PayScale data 2023

Like every country you need to apply for a student visa if you want to study Masters in Agriculture in Australia. You will have to fill out the form and submit documents to the nearest Australian High Commission. Connect with IDP experts for visa guidance, processes and filling the forms.

Read more: GTE to study in Australia

At any step you feel that you require help entering these universities, do not hesitate to contact our skilled international education experts who are widely experienced, and we will be glad to help you out.

*Sources: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ | https://daff.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/
 https://daff.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/