How to become a Sheep Farm Worker

Also called: Station Hand (Sheep)

Performs routine tasks on a sheep farm, such as feeding and herding sheep into pens in preparation for branding, shearing, crutching and yarding for sale.

Main tasks

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

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Shearing (AHC21325); Certificate II in Wool Handling (AHC21425); 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
• Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker
• Dairy Cattle Farm Worker
• Wool Handler
• Livestock Husbandry Worker
• Piggery Farm Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Sheep Farm Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate II in Shearing; Certificate II in Wool Handling.

Is a 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 Sheep Farm Worker?

Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Shearing; Certificate II in Wool Handling.

Will AI change the work of a 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