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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.
There are 5 courses available for people who want to become a Station Hand.
Possible job outcomes:
The Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30116) prepares you for a career in agriculture and for immediate work as a farmhand or station worker. Over 12 months you will learn how to work safely on farms and other agricultural worksites — while choosing study electives in crop management, livestock handling, farm machinery operation and maintenance, fencing and pest control. Enquire now for the latest delivery options (on-campus/distance learning) and opportunities for enrolment. Learn more.
Get the skills you need to work with crops, livestock, and farm machinery with the Certificate III in Rural Operations (AHC32816). Graduates of this nationally recognised training course will be qualified for work as a senior farmhand. Over 12 months of classroom and on-the-job training you will learn how to identify, mark and muster livestock; implement animal health programs; work with pesticides and chemicals; construct and maintain fences; safely operate quad bikes, tractors, and other farm machinery.Enquire now for a list of training centres and for information about completing this course as an international student. Learn more.
Get qualified as a farm hand (without a work placement) by enrolling in the AHC20116 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. Enquire now for the next batch intake dates and your eligibility for government funded training. Learn more.
Get qualified for work on a dairy farm with the AHC30216 Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production). This 1 year course is delivered in the classroom, in the field, and online — it covers all aspects of animal welfare and handling, milking operations, livestock health and feeding, calving and rearing young. The course also covers: irrigation, fencing, chemical safety, operating farm machinery. Enquire now for the next available training dates and the full program of study units. Learn more.
Get started in the beef cattle industry with the AHC33316 Certificate III in Feedlot Operations. This nationally recognised qualification teaches you how to clean and maintain cattle pens, mix and mill stockfeeds, remove manure and re-use effluent — as well as operate a range of farming equipment and machinery. Graduate with an arsenal of skills, ready to work at an Australian beef cattle feedlot. Enquire now for the next available enrolment opportunities and the full list of study units. Learn more.
In Australia, a full time Station Hand generally earns $960 per week ($49,920 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.
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
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.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within livestock and animal production. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Livestock and Animal Production
Bore Runner
$960 weekly pay
Farmhand
Livestock Transporter
Piggery Attendant
Poultry Farm Worker
Sheep Shearer
Sheep Shearing Trainer
Station Hand
Wool Classer
Wool Worker
Agribusiness Manager
$1,440 weekly pay
Dairy Farm Manager
Farm Manager
Organic Farmer
Station Manager
Learn more about Station Hand courses in your area.