Jockey
A jockey rides thoroughbred horses in races at licensed racecourses and training facilities across Australia. They work under the direction of trainers and racing officials, managing horse behaviour during competition, maintaining precise weight specifications, and adhering to strict racing regulations set by state racing authorities and Racing Australia.
What this job is
A jockey rides thoroughbred horses in races at licensed racecourses and training facilities across Australia. They work under the direction of trainers and racing officials, managing horse behaviour during competition, maintaining precise weight specifications, and adhering to strict racing regulations set by state racing authorities and Racing Australia. The role combines athletic skill, horsemanship, and compliance with animal welfare and integrity standards.
Are employers advertising this role?
Rising, up 15.0% over 5 years
Counted across a group of similar roles. These are three-month rolling averages of online job advertisements, not filled positions.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index.
Day-to-day
Ride horses at race speed over set distances and terrains, applying tactical positioning and pace management to achieve competitive outcomes. Maintain weight within prescribed limits set by racing authorities through controlled diet, fluids, and exercise, documented on official weigh-in cards. Communicate with trainers and racing officials to understand horse temperament, race strategy, and track conditions before and after races. Mount and dismount horses safely using correct technique and equipment, including saddle, bridle, and racing silks. Control horse movement using reins, leg pressure, and body positioning during races, responding to changing track conditions and competitor positions. Comply with Racing Australia regulations and state racing codes, including whip rules, riding conduct standards, and race eligibility criteria. Attend race day briefings and stewards' enquiries to discuss race performance, interference claims, and rule compliance with racing officials. Monitor horse condition during races, recognising signs of distress or unsuitability and adjusting riding technique accordingly.
Who does this now
About 560 people worked in this occupation across Australia at the 2021 Census.
What this role asks for
Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3)
Registration or licensing is required.
Can employers fill these jobs
Employers hiring for this occupation were generally able to find suitable applicants in 2025. This measures how hard employers found it to fill jobs. It is not a count of jobs, and it does not say whether the occupation is growing.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, Training Occupation Pathways dataset, March 2026, version 1.0
Jobs and Skills Australia defines an occupation-ready qualification as:
Completing this qualification will provide the skills and knowledge to undertake this occupation. Further training and experience may be required to meet specific industry requirements including licensing and registration.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Training Occupation Pathways dataset, March 2026, version 1.0
Requirements
The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.
The honest hard part
Your career window is brutally short. Most riders peak in their 30s and face forced retirement by 40s due to physical wear. One serious fall can end everything.
Where the jobs are
Most work is based at licensed racecourses in major cities, with limited regional racing. Remote work is not an option. You need to be where the horses and race meets are.
Skills
- Active Listeningcore
- Adapt lifestyle for sports performancecore
- Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
- Attention to Detailcore
- Goal Setting and Planningcore
- Incident Reportingcore
- Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
- Problem Solvingcore
- Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
- Risk Identificationcore
- Time Management and Prioritisationcore
- Verbal Communicationcore
- Workload Self-Managementcore
- Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
- Continuous Learning and Upskilling
- Negotiation
- Professional Boundaries Maintenance
- Research and Analysis
- Stakeholder Communication
- Team Collaboration
Which of these do you have?
Tick the ones you haveCommon questions
Sources
- ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
- ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.
Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
Want a hand with what comes next? The 12-week Sprint covers your resume, LinkedIn and interview practice, with up to three coach reviews of a targeted resume or an application from an Australian career coach, for A$299 paid once. Before you decide anything, you can read who we are or send us a question.