How to become a Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker

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

Main tasks

• Assists with maintaining the health and welfare of cattle and sheep, including by patrolling, inspecting and reporting on their condition
• Provides cattle and sheep with feed and water, and implements cattle and sheep feeding and welfare programs
• Establishes pastures and crops for cattle and sheep production
• Herds and droves cattle and sheep to access feed, as well as for shearing, milking and other farming operations
• Undertakes general cattle and sheep farming activities, such as erecting and repairing fences, and maintaining and cleaning cattle and sheep housing
• Operates and maintains general farm machinery, and water supply and irrigation systems

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

• Beef Cattle 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 Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker?

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

Is a Cattle and Sheep 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 Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker?

Usually not. Only 8% 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 Cattle and Sheep 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