Guide contents
Horticulture farm supervisor and leading hand salary in Australia
A farm supervisor or leading hand in horticulture earns a base of $75,000 to $105,000*.
All figures are base salary in Australian dollars. They exclude superannuation (12 per cent) and the package on top (housing, vehicle and bonuses). Figures as at June 2026.
| Band | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single national band | $75,000 | $85,000 | $105,000* |
*Based on a 45-hour week. With 60-plus hour weeks through peak season, total earnings run well above the band.
Production supervisors at vegetable and citrus growers cluster in the lower half; a corporate orchard leading hand or a supervisor carrying irrigation responsibility sits higher. The Horticulture Award leading-hand allowance, $28.69 to $59.88 a week by crew size, marks the legal floor, but the market sits well above it.
Benefits on top.
Housing is site-dependent in horticulture, worth $15,000 to $20,000 where provided and standard at remote orchards. A tools-of-trade vehicle is provided on some roles, $10,000 to $15,000. Bonuses run up to 10 per cent of base, 5 to 10 per cent at corporate orchards.
What moves the number.
Irrigation responsibility is the single biggest lift at this level, adding 5 to 20 per cent. Casual crew size in peak season, audit and food-safety load, and remoteness all move the figure.
Also advertised as.
Orchard Supervisor, Production Horticulture Supervisor, Leading Hand (Orchard or Nursery), 2IC at smaller orchards.
The step up is the orchard manager or the horticulture farm manager, and the irrigation-specialist supervisor sits on the irrigation supervisor page.
Part of the Australian Agricultural Salary Guide 2026. How we built these bands: methodology.
Hiring a horticulture supervisor?
March Talent Partners benchmarks and fills these roles for agribusinesses across Australia. For a band against your brief, not a headline number.
Looking for a move in horticulture? See how we work with candidates.
