Stock and Station Agent

A Stock and Station Agent operates as a licensed intermediary in rural and agricultural markets, buying and selling livestock, property, and farm commodities on behalf of clients. They conduct livestock auctions, negotiate sales and purchases, manage client accounts, and provide advisory services on market prices and rural investment opportunities. The role requires knowledge of animal husbandry standards, property valuation, and compliance with livestock transport and welfare regulations.

Conduct livestock auctions, calling bids and recording sales to establish final hammer price. Negotiate purchase and sale agreements for livestock, rural property, and agricultural commodities with buyers and sellers. Assess and grade livestock for quality, weight, and market suitability using industry standards. Manage client accounts, recording transactions, calculating commission, and reconciling payments. Prepare livestock for sale by arranging transport, documentation, and health certification compliance. Advise clients on current market prices, seasonal trends, and optimal timing for buying or selling livestock and property. Complete livestock movement documentation including National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) records and transport permits. Maintain compliance with Australian Animal Welfare Standards and relevant state-based livestock legislation.

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.

You'll need to build trust in tight-knit farming communities where reputation takes years to establish, and your income depends entirely on commission from sales volumes. Market downturns hit hard and fast: droughts, disease outbreaks, and commodity price crashes directly slash your earnings with no safety net. You're also bound by strict licensing requirements and animal welfare compliance that demand constant knowledge updates.

Most work through established agencies in rural towns near saleyards. Work is almost entirely place-based in agricultural regions, not remote, because you need to be physically present at auctions and meet clients face-to-face.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adapt to artists' creative demandscore
• Advise clients on moving servicescore
• Advise on merchandise featurescore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Invoicing and Billing Administrationcore
• Negotiationcore
• Outbound Customer Contactcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Supplier Communicationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Adapt communication style according to recipient
• Advertise auction sales
• Attention to Detail
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Complaint Handling
• CRM System Operation
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Report Writing
• Research and Analysis
• Time Management and Prioritisation

• 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