Station Hand Courses
A Station Hand performs daily tasks on agricultural properties, which may include mustering livestock, fixing fences, and operating machinery.
AI Exposure
Low
Core skills such as social intelligence and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).
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How do I become a Station Hand
Get qualified to work as a Station Hand with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
AHC20122
Duration
1 week - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Get qualified as a farm hand (without a work placement) by enrolling in the AHC20122 Certificate II in Agriculture. This nationally recognised training course will teach you how to work safely on a farm — operating a range of machinery (motorbikes, tractors) and carrying out standard jobs (mustering, marking livestock, fencing, weed control). The course takes 9 months to complete and is delivered via a mix of online components, face-to-face, and practical sessions.
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Career opportunities
Duration
1 week - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
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AMPSS00018
Duration
4 weeks - 12 months
Study mode
Distance, Online
The AMPSS00018 Game Harvester Skill Set provides training in shooting and harvesting wild game animals. It includes understanding the wild game meat industry, humane firearm use for harvesting, and safe operation of game harvesting vehicles. This skill set focuses on the techniques and knowledge required for harvesting wild game animals effectively and responsibly.
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Career opportunities
Duration
4 weeks - 12 months
Study mode
Distance, Online
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22516VIC
Study mode
On Campus, Traineeship
Do you need a 1080 bait permit? The 22516VIC Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 & PAPP Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control is for pest controllers and landowners who need to buy and use 1080 bait products. The course covers: understanding restricted pesticides, how and where to use 1080 baits and concentrate products, correct labelling, recovery and disposal of baits and carcasses, notifications and signage, permit limits. Enquire now for a list of course providers in your area, licensing...
Career opportunities
Study mode
On Campus, Traineeship
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AHC10222
Duration
6 months - 12 months
Study mode
On Campus, Traineeship
The AHC10222 Certificate I in Agriculture provides the skills and knowledge needed for entry-level work in agriculture and conservation management. Students will perform simple tasks under close supervision and learn about farm operations, livestock handling, and workplace teamwork and communication. The course covers low-stress handling techniques for livestock, equipping students with essential skills for a career in these industries.
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Career opportunities
Duration
6 months - 12 months
Study mode
On Campus, Traineeship
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Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Station Hand.
Common questions
How much does a Station Hand earn?
In Australia, a full time Station Hand generally earns $1,200 per week ($62,400 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
What are the job opportunities for a Station Hand?
There are about 31,500 people working as livestock farm workers in Australia, but many of these will be working on smaller farms rather than large cattle or sheep stations. The number of people working in this industry is expected to increase slightly over the next five years. Station Hands will need to travel to remote areas of Australia to find work.
Source: The Labour Market Information Portal – 2019 Occupation Projections
How do I become a Station Hand?
A Certificate II or III in Agriculture is a good qualification to consider if you’re thinking about becoming a Station Hand. You could also do a Certificate III in Rural Operations. The length of the course will vary, but will involve both theory and practical work.
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Learn the basics of farm planning, operations, cropping and rural safety and progress to advanced agricultural training. Start your career in agriculture today.
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More information
A station hand is hired to help with the daily duties on a large agricultural property. Your work will depend a lot on the type of station you’re working on and the time of year. You’ll be busy though and a typical day may be spent mustering sheep, fixing fences or operating agricultural machinery. You might have to care for livestock, maintain equipment or work in the cattle yards. Every day will be different but if you enjoy getting your hands dirty, this could be the job for you.
Life on a station can be demanding so you’ll need to be ready to work hard. A Station Hand is required to do a lot of physical work, including heavy lifting so make sure you’re capable of manual labour. Your daily work will be varied so Station Hands need to be flexible. You’ll need to be good at working with animals and ready to use a range of equipment. You’ll usually be working as part of a larger group of Station Hands so teamwork skills are important.
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