Machinery Operator

WAM; Forbes; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

On-farm family home

Career progression

Balanced workload 50 hours/week

Training & development

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Solterra Agriculture in Southern New South Wales near Forbes is seeking a Machinery Operator to run farm machinery and support general farm tasks on a large dryland cropping operation.

You’ll work with the newest equipment, maintain a strong safety focus, and be part of a collaborative farming team. Accommodation is provided on‑farm, with a competitive salary and opportunities for training and career progression, plus a balanced 50‑hour week.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track-record in a dryland/broadacre cropping operation with large-scale cropping equipment.
• Strong focus on safety in a farming environment.
• Ability to work well in a team and contribute to farm goals.
• Demonstrated initiative and self-motivation in previous roles.
• Current driver’s license is required.
• Optional or obtainable chemical user’s certificate and/or truck license after hire.

Responsibilities

• Operate farm machinery for spraying, paddock prep, planting, spread, cartage and harvest.
• Use new equipment and technology to monitor crop health and progress.
• Assist with testing and recording grain quality and ensuring safe storage post-harvest.
• Utilise AgriChain system for paddock-to-production traceability and maintain attention to detail.
• Be proactive in learning and adapting, and engage in staff development opportunities.

Skills

Dryland cropping experience

Safety conscious

Team player

Initiative

Driver’s license

Chemical user’s cert / truck license

Australian working rights

Job description

We’re looking for a motivated Machinery Operator, for Solterra’s newest cropping aggregation Coolana in Southern New South Wales close to Forbes. Spanning around 9,500ha, this farm offers scale, efficiency, and high-quality soil, making it well-suited for broadacre cropping.

This region provides access to key agricultural services and the welcoming rural community of Forbes. Nearby towns offer schools, healthcare, and essential amenities, making it a great place to live and work.

• Accommodation is available for this position.
• Wehave the opportunity to hire up to two permanent Machinery Operators.

Job Description

About your next job

Reporting to the Farm Manager, you’ll play a hands-on role in farm operations, focusing on machinery use and general farm work.

Key responsibilities include:

• You will be operating farm machinery, including but not limited to, tasks associated with spraying, paddock preparation, planting, spreading, cartage and harvest.
• At Solterra Agriculture you get to work with the newest equipment and innovative technology and using these, you will observe and monitor crop health and progress.
• Assisting with the testing and recording of grain quality as well as the safe storage and handling of grain during and post-harvest.
• We use AgriChain as a system, that gives us traceability from paddock to production. Therefore your attention to detail is very important to us.
• The most important thing, if you want to learn something, just ask!! Solterra Agriculture is all about helping our staff development and are always open to our staff learning new things.

Qualifications

About You

• You have a demonstrated track-record of employment in a dryland/broadacre cropping operation, operating large-scale cropping equipment. Strong interest, but limited experience? We can train you up.
• You have a strong focus on safety.
• You work best in a team environment and enjoy contributing to a successful farm team and kicking goals together.
• People pride you on your initiative and self-motivation.
• You have a current driver’s license.
• You have a current chemical user’s certificate and/or truck license or, you are open to obtaining one through us.
• Full Australian working rights, Working Holiday Visa’s are welcome for our harvest casuals.

Additional Information

What We Offer You

• A competitive salary package based on experience.
• A modern family home provided on-farm.
• Career progression opportunities within our growing organisation.
• A balanced workload, averaging 50 hours per week.
• Support for training and professional development.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.