🌱 Job Opportunity: Casual/Subcontractor – Farm Machinery Operator | Bundaberg QLD 🌱

Sheppard Orchard Services is a proud third-generation macadamia farming family based in Bundaberg, QLD. As a family-run agricultural contracting business, we specialise in a wide range of macadamia orchard services, including:

Mechanical tree pruning

Finger wheel harvesting

Tree shaking

Fertiliser spreading

Foliar, insecticide & fungicide spraying

Herbicide spraying

Profiling

Pre-harvest clean-up

Slashing, mulching & blowing

We’re currently looking for a motivated and reliable machinery operator to join our growing team.

This role is hands-on and diverse — ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in their work, and thrives in a fast-paced seasonal environment. For the right person, this could lead to a permanent position.

Key Responsibilities:

Operating a range of agricultural machinery including tractors, pruners, sprayers, and harvesters

Having a go at fault-finding and making basic repairs where possible

Supporting all stages of orchard operations across spraying, harvesting, pruning, and maintenance

Working independently and collaboratively with the team

Respecting equipment and following safe work practices

Requirements:

Current Driver’s License (manual preferred)

Reliable transportation

Previous tractor operating experience

GPS operation experience

Ability to work independently and unsupervised

Basic mechanical knowledge and problem-solving ability

Good work ethic and a can-do attitude

Honest, trustworthy, and reliable

Physically fit and capable of performing outdoor manual labour

Applicants should take pride in their work, show strong attention to detail, and respect plant and equipment

Highly Desired:

Recent agricultural experience

Experience setting up and operating spraying machinery

Familiarity with macadamia orchard operations

Experience using or willingness to learn farm management software

Desirable (but not essential):

Experience operating mechanical tree pruners

Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control (ACDC) license

Forklift license

Why Join Us?

Be part of a close-knit, supportive team

Above award rates

Flexible casual/subcontractor arrangement

Opportunity for a permanent role for the right person

Enjoy a dynamic and rewarding outdoor role in the macadamia industry

📍 Location: Bundaberg, QLD
🕒 Position Type: Casual or Subcontractor (with potential to become permanent)

If you're passionate about agriculture and love working with machinery — we’d love to hear from you!

📩 To apply, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to [email protected]