Working on a dairy farm FAQs
Do you have any questions about working on a dairy farm? We have answered our most commonly asked questions below.
A job in dairy farming can be flexible and full of variety, with no two days being ever the same. Every day presents a new opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to a valued sector. It offers flexibility in your day - to allow for caring responsibilities, time for other hobbies, or education and training opportunities.
You may have technical or generic skills acquired from previous work experience that would be highly valued and easily adapted to a dairy farm. These are called transferable or portable hard and soft skills that can be applied from one job to another.
Hard Skills
- Working with livestock
- Pasture management
- Vehicle or machinery maintenance
- Computer software
Soft Skills
- Problem solving
- Teamwork Flexibility
- Time management
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. For more information on potential salaries and training requirements download the Salary Matrix. As a junior dairy farmhand, pay rates vary depending on age, starting at 16 years old and go up by 10% every year until you turn 20 years old.
A job in dairy can be flexible and full of variety, with no two days ever the same. Every day presents a new opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to a valued sector, and there are interesting things to learn along the way. A job in dairy offers flexibility in your day - to allow time for other hobbies, or education and training opportunities. Some of the ways you can have variety and flexibility in your day include:
- Shift work
- Weekend only work
- Casual relief work - jobs are available at times throughout the year (seasonal work)
- Milking roles (farms have different milking schedules, some milk once a day, which gives you time to do other things in your day, while other farms milk twice or three times in a day)
- Different farms have different schedules
- Job share opportunities
One of the great benefits of working on a dairy farm is that you'll learn on the job. There are different entry points into a career in dairy, from school leaver, or new career seekers. The sky's the limit really, it can take you all the way to owning or leasing your own dairy farm.
One of the great benefits about working on a dairy farm is that it offers flexibility. Whether you have school-aged children and need a flexible schedule, finishing school and not sure what to do next or keen to make some extra cash while you figure out your next move, learn a new skill, working on dairy could be the career for you!
Most industries, including Dairy, recognises the importance that flexibility has in attracting great candidates. Each farm has its own unique operating requirements, and the ability to offer flexibility in terms of hours worked or the type of performed may vary according to these requirements.
Learn more about how a career in dairy farming can work around your schedule here: https://www.dairy.com.au/dairy-matters/dairy-jobs-matter/a-job-that-works-for-you.
Working on a dairy farm involves plenty of interaction with animals - ensuring they're fed well, in the best health and lots of opportunity for hugs too! Providing best care for animals is a key part of the role on a dairy farm - it is essential, not only to the success of every farming business, but our moral responsibility.
Australia's 4,420 dairy farms are spread across eight unique dairying regions throughout Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Complete the online form and a Dairy Australia representative will respond via email or phone within two business days. Calls are Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm (AEDT).
Important information: International workers must already be eligible to work in Australia and hold all required working visas/permits as this will not be provided by Dairy Australia or dairy farm employers.