Browse Dairy Farm jobs

Being a farm hand on a dairy farm may seem completely different from doing the 'same job' at a fruit and vegetable farm. However, all farms have a lot in common. For example, all farms will require all kinds of maintenance and repairs on a virtually daily basis, so just because you're working on a dairy farm doesn't mean you won't be using a whole host of skills that have little or nothing to do with cattle, whether you're putting up a new barn or repairing a tractor.

Farm hands do a variety of jobs, from the highly specialised to the relatively unskilled, often in the space of a single day! A farm hand might do something as simple as repairing a fence or as complex as assisting the birth of a calf. Naturally, the more highly skilled hands earn more – sometimes much more – than their unskilled counterparts, so the more skills you have to work with, the better.

Responsibilities & Skills

Most farm hands will be expected to undertake basic maintenance and repairs of buildings, machinery and other farm equipment, so you should be someone who's fairly good with their hands and knows how to swing a hammer. Obviously, you must also be comfortable working with large animals.

You may be responsible for a large number of cattle and/or a large area of land. Much of the latter may contain specialised equipment and buildings, so it will help to have prior familiarity with some aspects of dairy farming.

You must have the physical fitness and ability to do hard, physical labour and work long hours

• You must enjoy working outdoors and be willing to do so in all weather conditions


• Most practical skills you might have, such as engineering, carpentry or any other craft-type skill, will be a bonus


• Enjoying working with animals will certainly be helpful, as you'll most likely be spending a lot of time in close proximity to cattle


• You must be willing to work long hours: The farmer certainly will, and they'll expect the same from their employees

Required Qualifications

• Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)
• Certificate IV in Agriculture
• An apprenticeship or certificate in mechanics may also be helpful

Useful Links

• Information about becoming a dairy farm hand
• A general guide to life on a dairy farm