Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker

A senior farm worker who manages day-to-day operations on broadacre crop and mixed livestock farms across Australian agricultural regions. The role involves supervising junior farm staff, operating large-scale machinery, monitoring crop and animal health, and implementing farm management practices that comply with biosecurity and environmental regulations. They work under the direction of farm managers or owners to ensure production targets are met and farm infrastructure is maintained.

Supervise and train junior farm workers on safe operation of tractors, harvesters, and other broadacre machinery. Operate large agricultural machinery including combine harvesters, grain drills, and hay balers for planting and harvesting crops. Monitor crop health and growth using visual assessment and soil moisture monitoring, identifying signs of disease or pest damage. Apply fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides according to farm chemical safety guidelines and label instructions. Conduct routine maintenance and servicing of tractors, harvesters, and farm equipment including oil changes, filter replacement, and hydraulic checks. Perform livestock husbandry tasks including mustering, drafting, and moving cattle or sheep across paddocks using motorbikes or dogs. Monitor livestock health and behaviour, identifying animals requiring veterinary attention or treatment. Administer livestock health treatments including vaccinations, drenches, and pour-on treatments following veterinary directions.

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.

Most senior farm workers stay in hands-on roles with limited advancement into management without owning land or getting a degree. The work is physically demanding year-round, with long harvest seasons and early starts in all weather. Machinery breakdowns mean you're on call, and one mistake operating a harvester or handling livestock can cause serious injury.

Work follows rainfall patterns and cropping regions. Remote work doesn't exist in this role. Most positions are on individual farms rather than in towns, so relocation is usually required.

• 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
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Active Listening
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Process Improvement Identification
• Rostering and Scheduling Support
• Stock Counting and Stocktake
• 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