How to become a Poultry Farmer
Also called: Poultry Farm Manager
Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and performs farming operations to breed and raise chickens, turkeys, ducks and other poultry for eggs, meat and breeding stock.
Main tasks
- Plans and coordinates the breeding and raising of poultry for eggs, meat and breeding stock
- Organises poultry farming operations and routines, such as feeding, collecting and storing eggs, and administration of vaccinations and medications
- Selects and purchases breeding stock, and manages poultry breeding programs
- Monitors and maintains the health, welfare and condition of poultry, including by developing and overseeing strategies to manage biosecurity and other risks
- Directs and oversees general poultry farming activities, including the provision and maintenance of infrastructure such as barns, sheds, cages and hatchery equipment
- Organises the sale, purchase and transportation of poultry and eggs
- Coordinates and schedules activities such as breeding, storage, disposal of waste products and poultry hatch schedules
- Maintains and evaluates records of poultry farming activities, monitors market activity, and plans production accordingly
- Manages poultry farm business capital, including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
- May select, train and supervise poultry farm staff and contractors
Ways in
- University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 27 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Diploma of Agriculture (AHC50122); Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30122); Certificate IV in Agribusiness (AHC41024); Certificate IV in Agriculture (AHC40122)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- About 78,900 people work in this job group now, and about 79,800 are projected by 2035. (+1.2%)
- 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.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Poultry Farmer?
Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Agriculture; Certificate III in Agriculture.
Is a Poultry Farmer a growing career in Australia?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 78,900 people now and 79,800 later (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Poultry Farmer?
Usually not. Only 16% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Agriculture; Certificate III in Agriculture.
Will AI change the work of a Poultry Farmer?
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
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04