Senior Horse Stable or Stud Worker

Senior horse stable or stud workers oversee the daily care, health, and breeding management of horses on Australian studs and stables, directing junior staff and implementing animal husbandry practices that comply with animal welfare standards and production targets. They monitor horse health, manage feeding and breeding programmes, and maintain farm infrastructure and equipment used in livestock operations.

Supervise junior farm workers and casual staff in daily livestock handling, feeding, and yard maintenance tasks. Monitor livestock for signs of illness, injury, or poor welfare and coordinate with veterinarians or apply first-aid treatments. Plan and implement breeding programmes to meet genetic and production targets, recording pedigree data and fertility records. Manage feed budgeting and nutrition schedules for different livestock classes, ordering and storing feed supplies. Operate and maintain livestock handling equipment including yards, crush machines, drafting gates, and feed dispensers. Conduct routine health checks including vaccinations, drenching, and parasite management according to farm biosecurity plans. Prepare livestock for sale or processing, assessing condition and weight, and coordinating transport logistics. Maintain detailed herd or flock records using farm management software to track animal health, production, and compliance with regulations.

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 pay ceiling is real and low. Even in senior roles, earnings plateau well below what trades or office management offer, and you're locked into early mornings, weekend work, and physical labour on your feet year-round. Horses and livestock don't take days off, so neither do you.

These jobs are concentrated in regional and rural Australia where horse studs and livestock farms operate. Work is almost entirely on-site at farms or studs; remote work doesn't exist. Quality employment depends on proximity to established agricultural regions.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Administer drugs to facilitate breedingcore
• Administer treatment to animalscore
• 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
• 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
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Process Improvement Identification
• Rostering and Scheduling Support
• 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