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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 6 courses available for people who want to become a Station Hand. These are the top 5 most popular courses.
Possible job outcomes:
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. Enquire now for the next batch intake dates and your eligibility for government funded training..
Average duration: 12 months.
The AHC30122 Certificate III in Agriculture (Traineeship) equips individuals with agricultural skills through practical training and classroom learning. Prospective candidates must secure employment in the field as an apprentice or trainee before starting the course. This qualification prepares individuals for diverse roles in agriculture, such as livestock production, cropping, or mixed farming environments. It involves performing supervised tasks that require discretion, judgment in equipment operation, resource coordination, and contingency management across various contexts. Enquire now for the full list of elective choices, entry requirements, and available enrolment dates..
Average duration: 24 months.
Get a job at a dairy farm with the AHC30221 Certificate III in Dairy Production. This nationally recognised qualification introduces you to the operational requirements of a working dairy farm and will teach you how to use a range of industrial milking machines and feeding apparatus. Competencies include: coordinating milking operations, using chemicals to control pests and weeds, carrying out routine servicing of milking equipment, carrying out livestock feeding, assisting with calving, rearing newborn calves, and much more. Enquire now for the full list of study units, entry requirements, and upcoming enrolment dates..
The AHC30122 Certificate III in Agriculture 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..
Get the skills you need to work with crops, livestock, and farm machinery with the AHC32822 Certificate III in Rural Operations. 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..
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
Pen Rider
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
Stock and Station Agent
$1,150 weekly pay
Learn more about Station Hand courses in your area.