A job that works for you

A job on a dairy farm provides stability, a reliable source of income and ability to plan how work fits into your life, not the other way around. Enjoy the outdoors, whilst experiencing peace of mind in the level of job security you'll find that not all industries can offer. Through the pandemic, dairy farming didn’t stop. Rain, hail or shine, 365 days a year, it's a career that will always be there.

If you’re ready to find work, view vacancies on the Dairy Farm Jobs Board.

Explore this page to see why dairy farming could be for you if job security is what you’re seeking.

Find out what it takes to become a farm hand and beyond

Depending on your goals and aspirations in dairy, there are many opportunities to work your way to the top by undertaking various training courses and developing your on-farm experience, which reflects in your salary too. These are the current minimum pay rates under the award and your specific rate will vary depending on the farm you choose to work at. It should be noted that many dairy farm workers are paid above the award payments.

 

Classification Title Training Required Adult Full-time Weekly rate (100%) Adult Part-time Hourly Rate Casual Hourly (125%)

Farm and Livestock hand level 1 (FLH1)
Dairy operator grade 1A with less than 12 months experience in the industry who:

  • Uses their knowledge and skills to perform set procedures such as milking and attending to livestock, haymaking, fencing

Assistant farm hand (works under supervision)
This category is for people who are involved in a general range of farming tasks and working under supervision

Certificate II

$812.60

$21.38

$26.73

Farm and Livestock hand level 3 (FLH3)
Dairy operator grade 1B with 12 months experience in the industry who:

  • Uses their knowledge and skills to perform set procedures such as milking and attending to livestock, haymaking, fencing

Farm hand (works under limited supervision)
This category is for people who are skilled or unskilled in a range of farming operations and work either independently or as part of a team

Certificate III

$846.30

$22.27

$27.84

Farm and Livestock Hand level 5 (FLH5)
An employee at this level includes Dairy Operator Grade 2 who:

  • Has two years’ experience in the industry
  • Uses their knowledge and skills to multiple operations involving basic levels of problem solving and decision making and
  • Has an appreciation of the overall processes involved in a dairy farm

Senior farm hand
This category is for skilled people working either independently or as part of a team

Certificate IV

$880.10

$23.16

$28.95

Farm and Livestock Hand Level 7 (FLH7)
An employee at this level includes Senior Dairy operator grade 1 who:

  • Uses their knowledge and skills to coordinate the operation of a farm process or area of expertise e.g. milking and animal attendance, pasture and farm maintenance, breeding programs and artificial insemination area.

Production Manager (implements policy and sets tactics)
People in this role have significant responsibilities in managing production activities on a dairy farm. Dairy farm production managers demonstrate broad industry knowledge and advanced technical skills

Diploma

$940.90

$24.76

$30.95

Farm and Livestock Hand Level 8 (FLH8)
An employee at this level includes Senior dairy operator grade 2 who:

  • Under the direction of the owner or manager uses their expertise and skills in order to supervise and maintain the operation of a dairy farm

Senior Production Manager (Farm Supervisor) - (supervises staff and reports to management)
People in roles of this category have responsibility for staff and various production activities on the farm.
A supervisor is expected to carry out some business management activities like monitoring Work Health & Safety in the workplace, preparing operating budgets and supervising work routines of others. A senior production manager uses industry knowledge and may be asked to solve a range of problems.

Diploma

$1,011.00

$26.61

$33.26

Award-free Business Manager

Business Manager (sets policy)
People in roles in this category have significant responsibility for ensuring the dairy enterprise is managed successfully. They are expected to demonstrate extensive industry knowledge, technical skills, and business management principles in order to perform this complex role.

Advanced Diploma

N/A

N/A

N/A

Employee benefits - what's in it for you?

Dairy farms can be exciting places to work with lots of opportunities. As an employee, dairy farming gives you a job that is outdoors, working with animals, machinery and other people. It also provides a great way to gain skills that are ‘transferrable’ (useful if you want to travel) and that can start you on the road to owning your own herd, farm or other assets.

Other employee benefits include:

  • Flexible hours
  • On the job training
  • Rostered days off
  • Possibility of additional hours
  • Depending on the farm there may also be the opportunity for bonuses, above awards payments, a chance to build equity and accommodation.Watch the video below to hear what dairy farmers love most about their job

Watch the video below to hear what dairy farmers love most about their job

 

 

Watch to learn why farmers from across the country choose dairy farming

Watch the video below of farmers across the country talk about the job stability, flexibility and work life balance you get on a dairy farm.

Still discovering what it’s like to work on a dairy farm? Take a look at more content below.