ANZSCO 121221 · STSOL
Vegetable Grower (Aus)/Market Gardener (NZ)
On the short-term list, so the 189 isn’t available. The route is state or territory nomination (190 or 491).
Path to permanent residence
The steps for the points-tested visas, with this occupation’s own assessing body, lists, cut-offs, fees and processing times.
Skills assessment
Get a positive assessment from VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services). It must still be valid when you’re invited: usually 3 years, or less if the assessment says so.
English
Show at least Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band, or an equivalent PTE, TOEFL, OET or Cambridge score). Proficient adds 10 points and Superior adds 20.
Points
Score at least 65 on the federal points test, counting nomination points for the 190 (+5) or 491 (+15). Vegetable Grower (Aus)/Market Gardener (NZ) isn’t eligible for the 189, so the score you need depends on the state that nominates you. Work out your points · see when they change.
Expression of Interest
Submit a free EOI in SkillSelect for the visas this occupation allows: 190 (state nominated), 491 (regional, nominated). It stays active for 2 years, and your points and date of effect decide your place.
State nomination (190 / 491)
2 of 8 list Vegetable Grower (Aus)/Market Gardener (NZ): New South Wales, Victoria. Open or inviting now and listing it: New South Wales. Also open, with no published occupation list: Tasmania (check its criteria). Each state ranks applicants its own way. See every state.
Invitation and visa application
When invited, lodge within 60 days. Base fee for the main applicant: AUD 6,140 for the 190, AUD 6,140 for the 491; family members pay extra. You’ll also need health checks and police certificates.
Decision and PR
Home Affairs decides 90% of applications within 190: 16 months · 491: 18 months. The 189 and 190 are permanent visas. The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa; after at least 3 years living and working in regional Australia you can apply for permanent residence (191) if you meet its requirements, including income.
Employer-sponsored route
–Not on the Core Skills Occupation List
Employers can’t sponsor Vegetable Grower (Aus)/Market Gardener (NZ) in the 482 Core Skills stream.
What a Vegetable Grower (Aus)/Market Gardener (NZ) does
Official description and tasks from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ANZSCO 2022).
Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and performs farming, greenhouse and market garden operations to grow vegetables.
Qualifications and experience: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
- Also calledVegetable Farm Manager
- SpecialisationsMarket Gardener (Vegetables) (Aus)
- ANZSCO skill level1 of 5 (1 is highest)
- ANZSCO 2022 code121616 (Home Affairs uses 121221)
- Unit group1216 Horticultural Crop Growers
Tasks
ABS lists tasks for the whole unit group, Horticultural Crop Growers. Skills assessments and employer nominations compare the duties you’ve done with the ANZSCO description and tasks, so check yours match.
- Planning and coordinating the production and marketing of horticultural crops, from soil preparation to harvest, taking into account environmental and market factors
- Planning crop production and selecting seeds, seedlings, bulbs and plant stock
- Coordinating and developing strategies for cultivating, fertilising and watering to maintain optimal production, crop health and growing conditions
- Organising farming operations and routines, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging produce
- Planning and coordinating the sale, purchase and despatch of produce
- Directing and overseeing general farming activities to maintain crop health by managing biosecurity and other risks and controlling pests and weeds
- Planning and overseeing the provision and maintenance of infrastructure such as equipment, machinery, sheds and water supply systems and irrigation systems
- Maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity, and planning production accordingly
- Overseeing data collection and analysis and farm technology systems
- Managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
- May select, train and supervise staff and contractors
State and territory nomination
Whether Vegetable Grower (Aus)/Market Gardener (NZ) is on each state’s current list, and where each program stands.
| State or territory | 190 | 491 | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | – | – | See site |
| New South Waleslisted by unit group | – | ✓ | Inviting |
| Northern Territory | No list | No list | Closed |
| Queensland2025–26 list | – | – | Not open yet |
| South Australia | No list | No list | Not open yet |
| Tasmania | No list | No list | Open |
| Victoria | ✓ | ✓ | Not open yet |
| Western Australia | No list | No list | Not open yet |
Program status is for 2026–27. Being listed doesn’t mean a state is inviting now, and each state has its own criteria. “Nominated so far”: 190 / 491 nominations this program year (Home Affairs).
Shortage rating
No shortage nationally, except shortage in WA.
- NSWNone
- VICNone
- QLDNone
- SANone
- WAShortage
- TASNone
- NTNone
- ACTNone
Jobs and Skills Australia’s rating of the labour market. Invitations also depend on planning levels, ceilings and how many EOIs are waiting, so the two don’t always line up.
After an invitation
Home Affairs’ current processing times for the points-tested visas.
| Visa | Half decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189) | 61 days | 8 months |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 4 months | 16 months |
| Work Regional (491), state nominated | 5 months | 18 months |
| Work Regional (491), family sponsored | 4 months | 7 months |
Home Affairs, decisions to 31 August 2026. Clock starts when you lodge, which you must do within 60 days of an invitation.
Plan with this occupation
Sources and method
- 189 rounds: Home Affairs invitation rounds and previous rounds. 2022–23 rounds reported offshore and onshore separately; we show the lower score.
- State lists: each state’s official site, checked 15 October 2026. Queensland shows its 2025–26 lists until 2026–27 is announced; NSW lists by ANZSCO unit group; Victoria accepts any occupation on the federal lists.
- Shortage: Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO 2022 codes).
- Processing times: Home Affairs processing times guide.
- Skilled lists and assessing authorities: LIN 19/051, checked 14 October 2026.
- Occupation description, titles and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022, used under CC BY 4.0.
- Employer route: Core Skills Occupation List, LIN 24/089 (compilation 2025-11-07). Fees: Home Affairs visa pages, checked 14 October 2026.
- Agents: embed this occupation on your website.