Livestock Farm Workers

Livestock Farm Workers perform routine and general labour duties on farms and stations where cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, or other livestock are raised. They assist with animal husbandry tasks, facility maintenance, and feed preparation under the direction of farm managers or senior workers. This role covers workers in pastoral, feedlot, and intensive livestock production systems across rural Australia.

Feed and water livestock using troughs, silos, and automated feeding systems. Muster livestock using motorbikes, quad bikes, dogs, and on foot across paddocks and grazing land. Assist with animal health tasks including administration of vaccinations, drenches, and antibiotics under supervision. Repair and maintain fencing, gates, and farm infrastructure using hand tools and basic materials. Clean and disinfect livestock housing, yards, and milking facilities to maintain biosecurity standards. Load and transport livestock into vehicles or containers for market, breeding, or processing. Monitor animal behaviour and condition daily, reporting signs of illness or injury to farm management. Collect and manage animal waste for disposal or composting in accordance with environmental regulations.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate I or compulsory secondary education (ABS skill level 5). 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.

Physical labour is relentless and often low-paid. Automation in feedlots is reducing some roles.

Jobs concentrate in rural and regional Australia. Work is farm-based and rarely remote. Strongest demand where livestock export or processing is active.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Advise customers on appropriate pet care
• Advise on animal purchase
• Advise on animal welfare
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Inventory Tracking
• Multitasking
• Record Management
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Supplier Communication
• Written Communication

• 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.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026