Piggery Farm Worker

A piggery farm worker performs routine labour tasks in commercial pig production facilities, including feeding, watering, cleaning, and basic health monitoring of pigs across different production stages. They operate equipment such as feed dispensers and water systems, maintain facility hygiene, and report health or welfare concerns to farm supervisors. This role is performed in outdoor and indoor barn environments on licensed piggeries across Australia.

Prepare and distribute feed and water to pigs using automatic or manual dispensing systems according to farm protocols. Clean and sanitise pig pens, farrowing crates, and housing areas using water, detergents, and disinfectants to maintain biosecurity standards. Observe pigs for signs of illness, injury, or distress and report abnormalities to the farm manager or veterinarian. Assist with routine handling and movement of pigs between pens, farrowing rooms, and loading areas using handling equipment and techniques. Collect and segregate piglets after farrowing, manage post-birth care including heat lamp setup, and monitor nursing behaviour. Remove soiled bedding, manure, and waste using shovels, wheelbarrows, or mechanical loaders and deposit in designated storage areas. Maintain temperature, ventilation, and humidity controls in pig housing by adjusting systems or reporting malfunctions. Record basic farm data including feed consumed, water usage, pig numbers, and health observations in farm management software or logs.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate II or III (ABS skill level 4). 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 work is physically demanding, repetitive, and often involves early starts and weekend shifts on a roster. You'll spend hours cleaning manure, handling heavy feed bags, and working in humid, smelly barn environments. Pay is modest and unlikely to rise significantly without moving into management. Automation of feeding systems is reducing entry-level positions.

Most jobs are in regional areas near major piggery clusters rather than cities. Work is site-based and not remote. Larger integrated farms offer steadier employment than small family operations.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Advise customers on appropriate pet care
• Advise on animal purchase
• Advise on animal welfare
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Data Entry and Accuracy
• Goods Receipt Processing
• Stock Counting and Stocktake
• Supplier Communication
• Workload Self-Management

• 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