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What's It Really Like Being a Governess on a Cattle Station? Holly Gorroick Shares Her Story

15 Jul, 2026

When most people think about working on a cattle station, they picture ringers, helicopters and horses. But behind the scenes there's another role that's just as important. The Governess, or 'Govie' as they're affectionately known. Twenty-year-old Holly Gorroick from Ipswich, Queensland, has spent the past two years working as a Governess on a family-owned cattle station in the Gulf of Carpentaria region of the Northern Territory,...

How to Get a Station Hand Job in Australia (2027 Guide)

10 Jul, 2026

How to Get a Station Hand Job in Australia (2027 Guide) Everything you need to know to land your first cattle station job, impress employers and kick-start a career in Australia’s livestock industry. Jump to a Section What is a station hand? Do you need experience? Station hand readiness checklist Licences and qualifications Practical skills employers value How to prepare your résumé Writing your...

Three Station Hands, 1,500 Brahmans and a Kimberley Sunset

23 Jun, 2026

Kimberley sunsets and dust always make for a good photo, but this one tells a much bigger story. Pictured above are Station Hands Lucy Shallcross from the Pilbara in Western Australia, Lucy Simpson from Southern NSW and Alyce Robben from Central Queensland after a long day's work at Blina Station in the West Kimberley. The photo was taken following a particularly dusty afternoon in the yards during the station's first-round muster. The...

"If It Helps One Kid Chase Their Dream..."

23 Jun, 2026

It took me a while to convince Ben Young to let me feature him the RFTTEJOBS newsletter. Like many ringers, Ben isn't one for the limelight. But eventually he agreed, telling me: "If this helps one kid to have confidence to leave his or her hometown and head north to chase their dreams, I guess it's worth it." That's a pretty good reason. At just 24 years old, Ben has already packed plenty into his cattle industry journey. Growing up...

The Ultimate Guide to Outback Jobs in Australia (2026)

19 May, 2026

If you’ve ever thought about heading bush and giving it a crack, 2026 is shaping up as one of the best years yet to land an outback job in Australia. From cattle stations in the NT to cropping operations in QLD and WA, the demand for workers is strong - especially for those willing to roll up their sleeves and commit to a season. What counts as an 'outback job'? Outback jobs typically fall into a few key categories: Cattle station...

Paul "Woody" Allen: A Young Bloke with Big Dreams of the Kimberley

20 Apr, 2026

Before the Kimberley, before the goldfields, before the hard miles and harder men, Paul 'Woody' Allen was just a young bloke with a restless streak. School never really grabbed him. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it. It was more that his mind was somewhere else entirely. While others thought about classrooms and careers, Woody thought about horses, saddles, dogs, paddocks and the sort of life where a man earned his keep outdoors. Every...

You're Not Alone Out Here: RFTTEJOBS & TIACS

08 Apr, 2026

At RFTTE our community is built on helping each other out. We’re connected to hundreds of thousands of people working across Australia on cattle stations, farms, feedlots and even export boats - and we know the challenges are real, especially when you’re remote or on your own. That’s why we’re pleased to help create awareness for TIACS - The Home of Blue Collar Counselling - a service making sure people have someone to talk to, no...

What To Bring To A Cattle Station: Packing List

01 Jan, 2026

What to Bring to a Cattle Station: Complete Packing List Heading to a cattle station for the first time can feel daunting, especially when it comes to knowing what gear to pack. This practical cattle station packing list covers the work clothes, boots, bedding, toiletries, tools and personal gear most station workers should consider taking. This guide has been compiled with help from experienced RFTTE members, station workers and...

Station Hand Salary Range: How Much Do You Get Paid on a Cattle Station?

01 Jan, 2026

Here's a question from an RFTTE member regarding pay for a Station Hand and one of the responses from another member on the RFTTE.com facebook group in November 2025: Ben Semour: Is $155 day rate, for a 9 hour day, 1st year, food and accommodation provided, not too bad? Bryan Leeson: At $17.22 per hr with everything supplied. Just to give you an example my son is an electrical apprentice in Brisbane on $16 an...

Your Actions Will Dictate What Jobs You Get on a Cattle Station

08 Dec, 2025

Ben Reardon at Stanbroke's Kamilaroi Station, QLD Ben Reardon was the Head Stockman at Kamilaroi Station, one of Stanbroke's 7 stations in far north Queensland, which together comprised over 1.2 million hectares of prime grazing country. Each year, prior to a new season commencing, Ben sent his new charges a few words of wisdom that he had developed over the years from his experiences on several cattle stations. He owes much of this...

'So It’s Your First Rodeo'

15 Nov, 2025

Darcy McKenzie from Yaralla Droughtmasters near Blackwater, QLD took to the stage in Roma, in front of more than 250 people at the Young Beef Producers Forum in November 2025, sharing his experience in the Advancing Beef Leaders Program. As part of the ABL group, Darcy helped create the booklet “So It’s Your First Rodeo,” designed to support those starting out in the beef industry, on a cattle station in particular....

Top Tips When Applying For a Job

11 Nov, 2025

Take the time to identify your relevant skills, key achievements, and transferable skills that align with the requirements of the job ad. Research the company and business to understand their core activities, mission, and values, so you can tailor your application and interview responses accordingly. When tailoring your cover letter and resume, make sure your application aligns with the organisation's mission and culture to show genuine...

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