Seafood Factory Worker Jobs in Australia 2026: If you are looking for seafood factory worker jobs in Australia, you are targeting a sector with genuine and ongoing demand across multiple states. Australia’s aquaculture and seafood processing industry is a significant part of the economy, with major operations in Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria requiring workers for processing, packaging, and production roles. This guide provides an honest, factual, and up-to-date picture of seafood factory worker opportunities in 2026, including current job openings, realistic salary expectations, visa options, and how to navigate the application process successfully.
Advertisement
Current Seafood Factory Worker Job Market (March 2026)
Seafood Processing Attendant – Yumbah, Adelaide, South Australia
Yumbah, Australia’s leading aquaculture company, is seeking a Seafood Processing Attendant to join their Clean Seas team at the Royal Park processing facility. This is a casual position currently offering 25 to 30 hours per week, with potential for more hours in the future. Days of work are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday with a 6:00 am start.
The role involves handling, preparing, and packaging premium seafood products to ensure high-quality standards. The successful candidate will have proven experience in a similar environment. Required experience includes working in a food processing environment, with competent knife skills being an advantage. The ability to work within strict hygiene requirements and enjoy a fast-paced environment is essential. Candidates must be able to follow safe work practices and procedures, demonstrate attention to detail and commitment to quality, and work within a physically demanding, chilled environment. Reliability, punctuality, a strong work ethic, good communication skills, and reliable transport with a current driver’s licence are also required. Applicants must have full working rights in Australia.
The position offers competitive pay and conditions under the Seafood Processing Award, with the opportunity to contribute to a leading Australian aquaculture group within a values-led business with a strong, supportive team culture.
Seafood Process Worker – Hobart, Tasmania (Randstad)
Randstad Australia is recruiting Seafood Processing Attendants for a role in Margate, Tasmania. The position starts on a specific date with an initial duration of 4 weeks, with the possibility of extending up to 4 months. This is a hands-on role in the seafood industry suitable for motivated and reliable individuals. No previous experience is necessary as full training is provided onsite.
The work environment is a cool room, with duties including packaging salmon into poly boxes, heavy lifting, and teamwork. Shifts start at 5:30 am and last up to 7 hours per day, with work up to 7 days per week possible. Candidates must have availability to start on the specified date and commit through to possibly March or April 2026. The ability to work in teams and perform physically demanding tasks is essential, along with a driver’s licence for transport to and from work. All applicants must pass a saliva drug test and pre-employment medical assessment.
This role offers an opportunity to gain experience in the seafood industry, work with a close-knit team, and earn good pay with big hours around the Christmas period.
Cleaning Processing Attendant – Tassal Group, Margate, Tasmania
Tassal Group, Australia’s largest salmon producer, is seeking an experienced and reliable Cleaning Processing Attendant for their Margate Salmon Processing Facility. This casual role involves maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in an industrial setting. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring processing equipment and machinery are thoroughly cleaned and ready for the next day’s production.
Responsibilities include cleaning and sanitizing processing equipment and machinery to meet strict hygiene and quality standards, ensuring all cleaning tasks are completed efficiently and to a high standard, following food safety and hygiene protocols, working collaboratively with the team to support smooth facility operations, and performing manual cleaning tasks including handling heavy machinery and equipment.
Requirements include the ability to work 5 days a week, Monday to Friday, on the PM shift from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Previous industrial cleaning experience is preferred, but on-the-job training will be provided. Candidates must be able to perform manual tasks including lifting and cleaning heavy machinery, have a keen eye for detail, and possess an understanding of food processing, quality, and hygiene practices. A forklift licence is preferred but not essential. Reliable transport and full-time working rights in Australia are required.
The role offers delicious, discounted salmon through the Salmon Shop and Truck, a fantastic foot in the door within the thriving aquaculture industry, access to free and confidential counselling sessions for employees and their families, and a friendly and inclusive team environment.
Seafood Processing Team Leader – Yumbah, Adelaide, South Australia
Yumbah is also seeking a Processing Team Leader for their Royal Park Processing facility. This is a permanent position working Monday to Friday, 6:00 am to 2:00 pm, with occasional Saturday shifts required. The successful candidate will have proven team leadership skills and the ability to act as Processing Supervisor when required. This role is responsible for handling, preparing, and packaging shellfish to ensure high-quality standards while also taking on supervisory responsibilities to support team performance and compliance.
Key responsibilities include processing tasks such as handling, preparing, and packing shellfish, assuming Acting Processing Supervisor duties when requested, supervising and coordinating a processing line while being answerable to the Processing Supervisor, supporting the Processing Supervisor with labour planning and management, participating in Good Manufacturing Practices audits, supporting the Preventative Maintenance program, managing cold storage including effective use of freezers, ensuring critical daily processing records are verified for accuracy, ensuring Quality and Food Safety documents are adhered to, performing all duties in compliance to ensure product quality, safety, and consistency, ensuring compliance with Personal Health and Hygiene Policy, reporting issues or concerns with products or processes immediately, and adhering to WH&S policies, practices, and procedures.
Qualifications and experience required include proven leadership skills, with food processing experience preferred. HACCP training and/or Food Processing certification is desirable, and a forklift licence is an advantage. Candidates must demonstrate reliability, punctuality, a strong work ethic, good communication and time management skills, problem-solving ability, attention to detail and commitment to quality, physical capacity for manual handling, repetitive tasks, and safe heavy lifting, a positive can-do attitude and ability to work as a team, reliable transport and a current driver’s licence, and full working rights in Australia.
This permanent role offers the opportunity to contribute to a sustainable Australian aquaculture business with a strong, supportive team culture and competitive pay and conditions under the Seafood Processing Award.
Farm Attendant – Tassal Group, Mission Beach, Queensland
Tassal Group is seeking a Farm Attendant for their Mission Beach Prawn Farm. This hands-on role ensures optimal prawn health and farm operations. It is perfect for team-oriented individuals who thrive in outdoor, physically active environments and are passionate about sustainable aquaculture. This is a casual role which will involve working flexible shifts which could include days, afternoons, nights, and weekends.
Responsibilities include monitoring and feeding prawns, conducting health checks, and reporting any concerns, performing general farm maintenance and upkeep of ponds and equipment, accurately logging farm data using iPads to track prawn growth and conditions, working safely and efficiently as part of a close-knit team to meet production goals, and upholding Tassal’s Zero Harm culture in all daily activities.
Role requirements include being comfortable working in hot, humid, and wet conditions including wading in ponds, physical fitness for manual labour and outdoor work, attention to detail for monitoring prawn health and maintaining records, a driver’s licence with manual preferred and reliable transport to site, flexibility to work rotating shifts including days, nights, and weekends, a team player with a safety-first mindset, and the legal right to work in Australia. A forklift ticket and experience is desirable, along with prior experience in aquaculture, farming, or outdoor labour.
The role offers the opportunity to join a welcoming, inclusive crew where collaboration and innovation are celebrated, gain hands-on experience with training, upskilling, and clear pathways for professional growth, access holistic health programs including mental health support, fitness initiatives, and family wellbeing resources, enjoy the stability of working with Australia’s premier sustainable aquaculture company, and contribute to meaningful work that prioritises environmental stewardship and ethical food production.
Salary Expectations for Seafood Processing Jobs
Based on current job listings and industry data, here are realistic salary ranges for seafood processing roles in 2026.
Entry-level seafood process workers and attendants typically earn $24 to $28 per hour, which translates to approximately $48,000 to $55,000 annually based on full-time hours. Many of these roles are casual, so hours may vary.
Skilled processing workers with experience and knife skills can earn $28 to $32 per hour, with annual earnings of $55,000 to $65,000 for consistent full-time work.
Supervisory and team leader roles command higher pay, generally $32 to $38 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from $65,000 to $75,000 or more depending on experience and responsibilities.
Overtime pay at premium rates is common in seafood processing, especially during peak seasons. Penalty rates provide higher pay for weekends, night shifts, and public holidays. Superannuation contributions of 11.5 percent are paid by employers into a retirement fund. Some roles offer shift allowances for working outside standard hours.
It is important to note that the National Minimum Wage in Australia is $24.10 per hour. Any job advertisement quoting below this rate should be treated with extreme caution, as it may not be compliant with Australian workplace laws. The legitimate job listings from verified employers show rates at or above this threshold.
Job Duties in Seafood Processing
Seafood processing roles typically involve a range of hands-on tasks depending on the specific position and facility.
Processing and packaging duties include handling, preparing, and packing seafood products such as salmon, prawns, abalone, and oysters. Workers package products into containers such as poly boxes, ensuring proper presentation and quality. Operating processing equipment and machinery safely and efficiently is often required. Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in work areas is essential at all times.
Quality control responsibilities involve monitoring product quality and reporting any concerns immediately. Workers ensure products meet company and food safety standards. Following strict hygiene and food safety protocols is mandatory. Critical daily processing records must be completed accurately.
Physical requirements are significant. Work environments are often chilled or cool rooms with temperatures maintained for product freshness. Roles involve heavy lifting and manual handling of products and equipment. Standing for extended periods and performing repetitive tasks is standard. Some positions require working in cold, wet, or humid conditions.
Safety and compliance duties include adhering to all workplace health and safety policies and procedures. Workers must use personal protective equipment as required. Participation in pre-employment medical assessments and drug testing is standard. Following safe work practices at all times is expected.
For farm-based roles such as the Tassal prawn farm position, duties extend to outdoor work including monitoring and feeding prawns, conducting health checks, performing general farm maintenance, wading in ponds, and working in hot and humid outdoor conditions.
Visa Options for Seafood Processing Work
For international workers seeking seafood processing jobs in Australia, understanding the visa landscape is essential. Entry-level processing roles generally do not qualify for employer-sponsored visas, while supervisory and skilled positions may be eligible.
Employer-Sponsored Visas
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa, known as subclass 482, is the most common pathway for sponsored skilled workers. It allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for up to four years. Requirements include a job offer from an approved sponsor, relevant skills and experience, English proficiency, and health and character checks. This visa can lead to permanent residency after meeting requirements.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, subclass 494, is relevant for seafood processing roles in regional areas where many facilities are located. It provides regional employer sponsorship leading to permanent residence. Requirements include a regional employer, a skilled occupation, and commitment to the regional area. It is eligible for permanent residence after three years.
The Employer Nomination Scheme, subclass 186, provides permanent residence for skilled workers nominated by an employer. It is for experienced workers with employer sponsorship and a skilled occupation.
It is important to note that for a role to be sponsored, it typically needs to be skilled and may require a positive skills assessment. Entry-level processing positions are unlikely to meet these criteria. The Processing Team Leader role at Yumbah is an example of a position that could potentially meet skilled visa requirements.
Visas for Entry-Level and Seasonal Work
The Working Holiday Visa, subclass 417 and 462, is a common pathway for young people from eligible countries to work in Australia for up to 12 months, with possible extensions. Holders can work for any employer up to 6 months per employer. This visa is suitable for seasonal and temporary processing roles.
The Seasonal Worker Program is available for citizens of participating Pacific countries, allowing seasonal work in agriculture and food processing. This is a government-managed program.
The Student Visa, subclass 500, allows international students to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. After graduation, they may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa.
Important Visa Requirement
Every job listing in this guide explicitly requires applicants to have full working rights in Australia. This means that for international applicants, you must already hold a valid visa that permits work, or you must find an employer willing to sponsor you for a skilled position. The entry-level processing roles do not offer visa sponsorship; they require you to already have work rights through Working Holiday Visas, Student Visas, or other means. The supervisory and team leader roles may have sponsorship potential, but this would need to be confirmed with the employer.
How to Find Seafood Processing Jobs
Use Trusted Australian Job Portals
SEEK is Australia’s largest job site with extensive listings including seafood processing roles. Indeed Australia also has comprehensive listings. Regional job portals like Move to More specialize in regional opportunities. Company career pages of major aquaculture companies like Tassal and Yumbah should be checked directly.
Target Key Locations
Seafood processing jobs are concentrated in specific regions. Tasmania has significant salmon processing operations in Hobart, Margate, and Huonville. South Australia has abalone and oyster processing in Adelaide and regional areas. Queensland has prawn farming and processing near Mission Beach and other coastal areas. Victoria and New South Wales also have various aquaculture operations.
Search with Specific Keywords
Try search terms such as seafood process worker, seafood processing attendant, processing team leader, farm attendant aquaculture, seafood packer, and salmon processing.
Secure Your Visa First
For entry-level positions, ensure you have the right to work in Australia through an appropriate visa before applying. Employers will ask for proof of work rights. For skilled positions, you may need to discuss sponsorship with the employer directly.
Apply Directly
Follow application instructions precisely. For SEEK and other job portal listings, apply through the platform. For direct employer applications, use the contact details provided in the job advertisement. The Tassal roles provide an email contact for Jeff for questions, indicating a direct application pathway.
Be Patient and Persistent
The recruitment process can take time, and competition for positions may be strong. Apply to multiple suitable positions and follow up appropriately.
Important Warnings and Red Flags
Work Rights Requirements
Every legitimate seafood processing job advertisement clearly states that applicants must have full working rights in Australia. Be wary of any job offer that claims you can work without proper visa authorization. Working without the correct visa is illegal and can lead to deportation and future entry bans.
Job Application Fees
Legitimate employers and recruitment agencies do not charge application fees. If anyone asks for money to process your application, it is a scam.
Verify Employer Legitimacy
Tassal and Yumbah are major, well-established Australian aquaculture companies with strong reputations. The job advertisements through Randstad and on official company websites are legitimate. Always verify that you are applying through official channels.
Physical Demands
Seafood processing work is physically demanding. Roles require standing for long periods, heavy lifting, working in chilled environments, and performing repetitive tasks. Be honest with yourself about your physical capabilities before applying.
Location and Transport
Many processing facilities are in regional areas where public transport may be limited. Most job advertisements require applicants to have their own reliable transport and a current driver’s licence. Factor this into your planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a seafood processing job in Australia with visa sponsorship?
For entry-level processing worker positions, direct visa sponsorship is generally not available. These roles require you to already have work rights through Working Holiday Visas, Student Visas, or other means. For skilled supervisory positions like Team Leader roles, sponsorship may be possible, but you would need to discuss this with the employer directly and meet skilled visa requirements.
What is the salary for seafood processing jobs?
Entry-level process workers earn approximately $24 to $28 per hour, which translates to $48,000 to $55,000 annually for full-time hours. Skilled workers can earn $28 to $32 per hour, and team leaders earn $32 to $38 per hour or more.
Do I need experience?
Requirements vary by role. Entry-level positions such as the Randstad Seafood Process Worker role require no previous experience and provide full training. Skilled roles such as the Yumbah Processing Attendant require proven experience in a food processing environment. Team Leader roles require significant experience and leadership skills.
What are the working conditions?
Seafood processing work typically takes place in chilled environments with temperatures maintained for product freshness. Roles involve standing for extended periods, heavy lifting, and repetitive tasks. Some farm-based roles involve outdoor work in hot, humid conditions. Shifts can start early, as early as 5:30 am, and may include weekends.
Do I need to speak English?
Yes, basic English communication skills are required for workplace safety, following instructions, and effective teamwork.
Is accommodation provided?
The job listings reviewed do not mention employer-provided accommodation. You will need to arrange your own housing. Most advertisements require reliable transport, indicating that you need to be able to commute to the workplace.
How do I apply?
Apply through the channels specified in each job advertisement. For SEEK listings, apply through the SEEK platform. For direct employer advertisements, follow the application instructions provided. The Tassal roles provide an email contact for questions, suggesting direct communication is welcome.
Can these jobs lead to permanent residency?
Entry-level processing jobs alone are unlikely to lead directly to permanent residency. However, gaining experience in the industry could potentially lead to advancement to skilled positions that may be eligible for sponsorship. Some workers start on Working Holiday Visas and later transition to skilled visas after gaining qualifications and experience.
Final Honest Summary
Seafood Factory Worker Jobs in Australia 2026: Seafood processing jobs in Australia offer genuine opportunities for workers willing to perform physically demanding but rewarding work. The industry has consistent demand, with major employers like Tassal and Yumbah actively recruiting for multiple positions across Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland in March 2026.
Entry-level positions require no previous experience and provide full training, making them accessible to workers with the right attitude and work ethic. Skilled and supervisory roles offer higher pay and greater responsibility for experienced candidates.
Wages are competitive, starting at $24 to $28 per hour and increasing with experience and responsibility. The work is physically demanding, often in chilled environments with early starts and physical labour.
For international workers, the key requirement is having the legal right to work in Australia. Entry-level processing jobs do not offer visa sponsorship; you must already hold a Working Holiday Visa, Student Visa, or other work-permitting visa. Skilled roles may offer sponsorship potential, but this is not guaranteed and would need to be negotiated with the employer.
Your success depends on having valid work rights, meeting physical requirements, having reliable transport, applying through official channels, and being prepared for demanding but rewarding work in Australia’s thriving seafood industry.
Start your search now through SEEK, company websites like Tassal and Yumbah, and reputable recruitment agencies. The seafood processing industry needs dedicated workers, and with the right preparation, you can find your place in this essential Australian industry.
Disclaimer
This job information is shared for educational and informational purposes only.
Any discussion of visa categories is based on general immigration laws and publicly available information