How to become a Senior Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker

Performs skilled tasks on a cattle and sheep farm in supervising the breeding, raising, feeding, treatment and welfare of cattle and sheep.

Main tasks

• Oversees cattle and sheep breeding programs and the rearing of calves and lambs
• Develops and implements cattle and sheep feeding plans, and identifies health and nutrition problems in cattle and sheep
• Establishes and maintains pastures and fodder crops for cattle and sheep production, and identifies plant health and nutrition problems
• Supervises health and welfare programs for cattle and sheep
• Implements biosecurity management measures
• Supervises farming operations such as herding, catching, drenching and milking cattle and sheep
• Supervises general farming activities such as maintenance and cleaning of cattle and sheep housing, water supply and irrigation systems, and other farm infrastructure
• Supervises work routines and trains Cattle and Sheep Farm Workers

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Agriculture (AHC40122); Diploma of Agriculture (AHC50122); Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30122); Certificate III in Feedlot Operations (AHC33325); Certificate II in Agriculture (AHC20122); Certificate III in Rural Operations (AHC32822)

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.

Related jobs

• Senior Beef Cattle Station Worker
• Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker
• Senior Horse Stable or Stud Worker
• Senior Piggery Stockperson
• Senior Sheep Farm Worker

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Senior Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Agriculture; Diploma of Agriculture.

Is a Senior Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker 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 Senior Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker?

Usually not. Only 16% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Agriculture; Diploma of Agriculture.

Will AI change the work of a Senior 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