Important: This page is an independent reference summary. Verify classification decisions against the official ABS source before using them for tax, licensing, immigration or compliance purposes.

Role overview

Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Workers perform essential routine tasks on Australian mixed farming operations that combine large-scale crop production with livestock raising. These workers support the integrated management of both agricultural sectors, typically working on extensive properties where crops like wheat, barley, and canola are grown alongside sheep, cattle, or other livestock. Their role is fundamental to maintaining daily operations across diverse farming enterprises throughout regional Australia.

This occupation requires practical skills in both plant and animal husbandry, with workers often rotating between crop-related duties and livestock care depending on seasonal demands. They work under general supervision rather than direct instruction, contributing to the overall productivity of mixed farming operations that form a significant portion of Australia's agricultural industry, particularly in the wheat-sheep zones of eastern and western Australia.

Key tasks in practice

Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Workers handle diverse responsibilities that bridge crop and livestock operations:

  • Regularly inspecting crops and livestock to monitor health, growth, and potential issues, reporting findings to supervisors
  • Maintaining farm infrastructure including fences, water systems, sheds, and equipment to ensure operational readiness
  • Handling agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and animal feed, and preparing produce for transport
  • Implementing feeding programs and ensuring adequate water supply for livestock
  • Assisting with animal health management including basic welfare checks and treatment support
  • Moving livestock between paddocks and to handling facilities for seasonal operations

Skill level explanation

As an OSCA Skill Level 5 occupation, Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker positions typically require:

  • Short-term on-the-job training rather than formal qualifications
  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills sufficient for following instructions and maintaining simple records
  • Physical capability to perform manual tasks in various weather conditions
  • Ability to work under general supervision with some autonomy in routine tasks

This skill level indicates that these roles are entry-level positions within the agricultural workforce, though they require developing practical competencies across both cropping and livestock operations. Many workers gain skills through vocational education (Certificate I-III levels) or through informal on-farm training.

Industry context

Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Workers are primarily employed in the mixed farming sector, which combines crop cultivation with livestock production on a large scale. According to ANZSIC classifications, these workers are commonly found in:

  • Beef cattle farming (ANZSIC 0159)
  • Sheep, beef cattle and grain farming (ANZSIC 0529)
  • Other livestock farming (ANZSIC 3319)

Employment is concentrated in Australia's major agricultural regions including the wheat belts of Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria, as well as mixed farming areas of South Australia and Queensland. These workers are essential to the integrated farming model that characterizes much of Australian agriculture, where diversification between crops and livestock helps manage climatic and market risks.