How to become a Beef Cattle Farm Worker

Also called: Station Hand (Beef)

Performs routine tasks on a beef cattle farm, such as feeding, mustering and moving cattle, and assisting with animal husbandry.

Main tasks

• Provides beef cattle with feed and water in accordance with feeding schedules, and monitors feed and water intake
• Musters and droves beef cattle between paddocks, ensuring sufficient feed and water is available and pasture does not become degraded
• Patrols, inspects and reports on the health, welfare and condition of beef cattle, and the condition of fences and other enclosures
• Assists with animal husbandry practices and maintaining the health and welfare of beef cattle
• Assists with the safe transportation of beef cattle to market or other locations

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Feedlot Operations (AHC33325); Certificate II in Agriculture (AHC20122); Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30122); Certificate I in Agriculture (AHC10222)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 28,300 people work in this job group now, and about 28,900 are projected by 2035. (+1.8%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker
• Dairy Cattle Farm Worker
• Wool Handler
• Livestock Husbandry Worker
• Piggery Farm Worker
• Poultry Farm Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Beef Cattle Farm Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Feedlot Operations; Certificate II in Agriculture.

Is a Beef Cattle Farm Worker a growing career in Australia?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 28,300 people now and 28,900 later (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Beef Cattle Farm Worker?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Feedlot Operations; Certificate II in Agriculture.

Will AI change the work of a Beef Cattle Farm Worker?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04