Everything you need to know to land your first cattle station job, impress employers and kick-start a career in Australia’s livestock industry.
For many people, working on a cattle station is more than just a job. It is an opportunity to experience life in rural Australia, work with livestock, make lifelong mates and learn practical skills that will stay with you forever.
But while plenty of people dream about station life, employers are looking for applicants who are reliable, practical and genuinely ready to roll up their sleeves.
If you are hoping to secure a station hand job in 2027 (and beyond!), here is what you need to know.
If you are looking for a long-term career or just familiarising yourself with some stations, it is worth getting to know some of Australia's leading pastoral companies. These employers operate stations across Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales, and regularly recruit for Station Hands, Bore Runners, Machinery Operators, Cooks, Mechanics, Overseers and Managers.
AACo is Australia's oldest and one of its largest integrated beef producers, operating cattle stations, feedlots and farming properties across northern Australia.
Properties include: Brunette Downs, Anthony Lagoon, Eva Downs, Camfield, Delamere, Avon Downs, Austral Downs, Canobie, Dalgonally, Glentana, Meteor Downs, South Galway, Wondoola and Wylarah, along with Aronui and Goonoo Feedlots.
AAM manages large-scale agricultural investments and cattle properties across northern Australia.
Properties include: Maryfield Station and Limbunya Station in the Northern Territory, along with other cattle and agricultural assets managed across Australia.
Hughes Pastoral is a major family-owned cattle producer with properties across the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Properties include: Inverway, Riveren, Lake Nash, Tierawoomba, Tumbar, Keeroongooloo, Caldervale, Miranda Downs, Millungera and Taylors Plains.
NAPCo is one of Australia's oldest and largest cattle companies, operating across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Properties include: Alexandria, Mittiebah, Boomarra, Coolullah, Kynuna, Marion Downs, Monkira, Coorabulka, Glenormiston, Cungelella, Mantuan Downs, Portland Downs, Goldsborough and Wainui Feedlot & Farm.
MacLachlan Pastoral Group operates cattle stations in the Victoria River region of the Northern Territory.
Properties include: Wave Hill Station and Killarney Station.
Camm Agricultural Group operates integrated cattle, feedlot, farming and grazing businesses across Queensland.
Properties include: Wonga Plains near Dalby, Melrose near Kingaroy and cattle properties within its North Queensland aggregation near Charters Towers. Wonga Plains also includes the group's large-scale feedlot operation.
Harvest Road operates cattle stations, farming, feeding, processing and aquaculture businesses across Western Australia.
Properties include: Jubilee Downs, Quanbun Downs, Laurel Downs, Minderoo, Balfour Downs, Minilya, Brickhouse, Koojan Downs Feeding Facility, New Norcia Farm and Hill River.
Heytesbury Pastoral operates a well-known portfolio of cattle stations across the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Properties include: Victoria River Downs, Moolooloo, Pigeon Hole, Mount Sanford, Birrindudu, Flora Valley, Gordon Downs and Nicholson Station.
MDH is one of Australia's largest family-owned beef cattle businesses, running approximately 175,000 cattle across Queensland.
Properties include: Rutland Plains, Dunbar, Brightlands, Chatsworth, Devoncourt, Stradbroke, Nangram, Wallumba Feedlot, Byerwen, Glenprairie, Kerand and Wetherby.
Jumbuck Pastoral is a fourth-generation Australian family business operating large-scale sheep and cattle stations across several states.
Properties include: Meda, Blina, Gunbar, Mount Victor, McCoys Well and Mulgathing.
A Station Hand is an important member of a cattle station team, helping with livestock, property maintenance, water infrastructure, machinery and everyday station operations.
No two days are the same. Depending on the season and property, your work could include:
It is hands-on work that suits people who enjoy the outdoors, working in a team and having a go.
NOTE: A Station Hand/ Jackaroo/ Jillaroo is also referred to as a Ringer - although sometimes you will find that the title of Ringer does not quite come into effect until you have been a Station Hand for at least 2 mustering seasons.
Check out this blog about Station Hands Lucy Shallcross from the Pilbara in Western Australia, Lucy Simpson from Southern NSW and Alyce Robben from Central Queensland:
Three Station Hands, 1,500 Brahmans and a Kimberley Sunset
Not always.
Many station owners and managers are prepared to employ someone with little or no station experience if they have the right attitude.
Employers are generally looking for someone who is:
Your attitude can be your greatest asset. Employers can teach skills, but it is much harder to teach reliability, initiative and a strong work ethic.
Top tip: Do not pretend you have skills or experience that you do not have. Be honest about what you know and show that you are ready to learn.
Before applying, ask yourself whether you are genuinely ready for the work and lifestyle.
If you are not quite ready, that does not mean station work is not for you. Spend some time building your fitness, practical skills and understanding of the industry before applying.
One of the first questions many employers ask is:
Can you drive a manual vehicle?
A current manual driver’s licence is highly regarded and may be essential for some station hand positions.
Additional licences and qualifications can make you more employable:
Every extra skill gives an employer another reason to shortlist your application.
You do not need to have grown up on a cattle station or a farm.
Experience gained in other industries can be highly transferable, including:
Even hospitality experience can be valuable because it demonstrates teamwork, communication, long hours and the ability to work under pressure.
You do not need to be an expert, but understanding the basics before applying shows initiative.
Useful areas to learn about include:
Your résumé does not need to be fancy. It needs to be clear, concise, honest and relevant.
Keep it to one or two pages and include:
Employers may call quickly, so answer your phone professionally and return missed calls promptly.
Avoid sending the same generic application to every employer.
Your cover letter or application message should briefly explain (2-3 paragraphs):
Good application:
“I am applying for your station hand position because I am keen to build a long-term career in the cattle industry. I have experience working outdoors, driving manual vehicles and completing basic mechanical and maintenance work. I am reliable, physically fit and available to start in February.”
Poor application:
“Hi, I need a job. I will do anything. Please call me.”
Write your cover letter in your voice once you've read the role! Employers can usually tell when an application has been AI prepped, copied and pasted without reading the job advertisement.
Station job interviews are often completed by phone or video call.
Before the interview:
Be honest about what you can and cannot do. It is better to say you are inexperienced but keen to learn than to exaggerate your abilities.
Station work is not just riding horses and mustering cattle.
A large part of the job can involve fencing, checking waters, cleaning yards, servicing equipment, maintaining vehicles and completing general property work.
You may live in staff accommodation, eat meals with your workmates and spend long periods with the same small team.
Mobile reception and internet access may be limited. Trips to town may also be infrequent.
Employers value people who:
Being a good team member is just as important as being a capable worker.
Here is some handy advice from a Head Stockman: Your Actions Will Dictate What Jobs You Get on a Cattle Station
Remember: Good station hand jobs can attract applications quickly. Have your résumé, licences and referee details ready before the season begins.
Station hand wages vary depending on your experience, responsibilities, qualifications, location and the individual employer.
Before accepting a role, make sure you understand:
Most full-time roles on remote cattle stations include accommodation. Meals may also be supplied, although arrangements vary between stations.
Ask for the employment conditions in writing before travelling to the property.
Your employer should provide a packing list, but common items include:
Ask your employer what is supplied before spending money on equipment you may not need.
Yes. Many cattle stations recruit entry-level station hands, jackaroos and jillaroos and provide training on the job. Applicants without station experience should focus on transferable skills, fitness, attitude, reliability and willingness to learn.
There is no single minimum age for working on a cattle station in Australia. It depends on the employer, the type of work and the relevant state or territory employment laws.
Many entry-level station hand, jackaroo and jillaroo roles are suitable for school leavers aged 17 or 18 years and over. Some employers may consider younger applicants who have finished school, while others require applicants to be at least 18 due to the nature of the work, insurance requirements or the operation of vehicles and machinery.
Whilst we also find that many employers prefer their staff to have red Ps licence as a minimum, so 17yo.
If you are under 18, read the job advertisement carefully and contact the employer if you are unsure whether you meet the requirements.
Ultimately, employers are usually more interested in your attitude, reliability, work ethic and willingness to learn than your age. If you're prepared to work hard, listen, learn and be part of a team, you'll give yourself the best chance of landing your first station hand job.
Most full-time station hand roles on remote properties include accommodation. This may be a room in staff quarters, a shared house or separate accommodation. Confirm the arrangements before accepting the position.
Meals are included with some station roles but not all. Check the advertisement and ask the employer whether meals are supplied and whether any deductions apply.
Sometimes, but not always. Each station has its own policy. Never assume your dog can come with you. Ask before applying or accepting the role.
READ: Why some stations don't take dogs
No. Many stations use a combination of horses, motorbikes, side-by-sides, vehicles and helicopters. Riding experience can still be valuable on properties where horses are used regularly.
A manual licence is highly regarded and may be essential for some roles. Read the advertisement carefully and do not apply if you cannot meet a clearly stated licence requirement.
Some stations advertise positions suitable for couples, while others are recruiting for one individual role. Only apply as a couple when the advertisement states that couples are welcome or the employer confirms there is suitable work for both people.
Some employers will begin recruiting in September/ October for the 2027 season - it depends on when the mustering season finishes and who is returning in 2027.
Some will advertise later in 2026, as late as December and into 2027.
So prepare your résumé and referees early and regularly check current vacancies so you can apply quickly.
Landing your first station hand role is not about having the perfect résumé.
It is about proving that you are dependable, practical, willing to learn and ready to have a go.
If you are prepared to work hard, listen, ask questions and embrace station life, your first role could be the beginning of an incredible career.
You might start as an inexperienced station hand and eventually progress into positions such as:
Browse the latest Station Hand Jobs in Australia on RFTTEJOBS.com and take the first step towards working in rural, remote and regional Australia.
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