GUIDELINES FOR WORK VISA APPLICATIONS IN THE NZ DAIRY INDUSTRY
Position
Salary*
Dairy Farm
Worker
$36,000 - $43,000 base
salary pa + benefits
Benefits equate to
approx $2,900 (or
above)
Assistant Herd
Manager
Hourly rate $15.78
$38,000 – $45,000 base
salary pa + benefits
Benefits equate to
approx $4,300 (or
above)
Qualifications and
Work Experience
Do not require formal
qualifications, but do
require skills
developed on the
job/recognisable
training.
Labour Market
Check
Under the
Essential Skills
work policy, a
LMC must be
conducted with
WINZ.
ISSL requirements:
National Certificate in
Agriculture Level 2
OR two or more
years work
experience relative to
job description.
If the ISSL
requirements are
met, no LMC will
be required
ISSL requirements:
National Certificate in
Agriculture
Level 2 or above
AND minimum of
two years’
relevant experience
If the ISSL
requirements are
met, no LMC will
be required
Hourly rate $16.70
Dairy Herd
Manager
$48,000 base salary (or
above) + benefits
Benefits equate to
approx $4,600 or above
Hourly rate $19.01
Other factors to take into consideration
- Size of the farm. For example, a farm that
has less than 600 cows may not require an
Assistant Herd Manager.
- Number of employees and the capacity with
which they are employed. For example, a
farm that already employs one Assistant Herd
Manager may not require another.
- Employers are strongly advised for DFW
roles to seek WINZ support up front, before
an application is lodged.
- Where the employer is seeking a DFW, has
not supplied any evidence of WINZ support,
and the LMC notes no shortage of NZers
available for the role, the following factors
may be taken into consideration:
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Amount of advertising provided by the
employer
Period of advertising the position
Location of advertising
Region of employment
Other Labour Market Checks
- The salary an individual receives should be
commensurate with their qualifications and
experience.
- Farming contracts need to be clear
regarding overtime pay and weekly
minimum/maximum hours worked.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that this table is a guide only. This table simply provides some relevant information about the dairy industry.
Every application must be considered on its own merits and assessed against Immigration policy.
* Salary details, rates and conditions have been based on information published in the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Remuneration Report 2011 and the Federated Farmers
of New Zealand submissions to the DoL on the occupational shortages reviews.
Position Description**
Dairy Farm
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Worker
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Assistant Herd
Manager
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Dairy Herd
Manager
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patrolling, inspecting and reporting on the condition of livestock
providing livestock with feed and water
assisting with maintaining the health and welfare of livestock
mustering and droving livestock to milking and shearing sheds and between paddocks to ensure sufficient feed
is available
washing and cleaning udders, and attaching milking machines to udders and milking cows
may work unsupervised
stock management – experience in deciding where the cows will go (which paddock), stock handling
experience
fertiliser programme – previously applied fertiliser.
breeding management – identifying cows on heat
some prior involvement with feed allocation or nutrition management
animal health management – identifying and treating basic animal health problems eg: mastitis, milk fever,
lameness
demonstrates good communication skills
experience working in a team
experience in machinery operation eg: tractors, implements, motorbikes, ATV’s.
breeding and raising livestock for the production of honey, meat, milk, skins, eggs and wool
monitoring and maintaining the health and condition of livestock
providing pastures and fodder to maintain appropriate nutritional levels
moving livestock to optimise feeding opportunities
organising and conducting farming operations such as catching, drenching and milking livestock, sterilising
machines, and collecting, grading and packaging produce
directing and overseeing general farming activities such as maintaining pens, sheds and cages, fertilising,
controlling pests and weeds, and growing fodder
maintaining fences, equipment and water supply systems
organising the sale, purchase and transportation of livestock and produce
maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity and planning production
accordingly
managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
may select, train and supervise staff and contractors
** Position description based on information in the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Remuneration Report 2011, the Federated Farmers of New Zealand submissions to the DoL
on the occupational shortages reviews, and ANZSCO.