Rural contracting provides a great variety of seasonal and permanent roles, from weed spraying and crop drilling through to operating and servicing complex machinery such as combine harvesters or those that produce sileage.

Entry level work roles include driving tractors, mowers and sprayers as well as machinery maintenance. There are opportunities to move up to operating larger more sophisticated machinery such as balers, combine harvesters and similar agricultural machinery.

A range of contractors provide services to agriculture, including fencing, spraying,
marking, droving and mustering.

ANZSCO ID:

Alternative names: Agricultural Contractor, Contractor, Farm Labour Contractor, Field Manager, Field Supervisor, Drover,

Specialisations:

 

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – Coordinate a team who carry out a range of husbandry practices including: Tail docking, castration, earmarking and tagging, vaccination, drenching and mulesing Crutching sheep either in shearing sheds or using portable crutching trailers Treating livestock for external parasite control Provide stock [goats] to carry out elimination of weeds	(Source: DPI NSW)
DROVING – Walk livestock along travelling stock routes (long paddock) and roads between properties, stock reserves and selling centres. Before large capacity trucks were widely used to transport stock, droving was the most common method of moving livestock. Droving is now a specialised skill most commonly used to keep stock alive during droughts. Own, coordinate and use droving plant (vehicles, caravans, bikes, horses, dogs, portable yards and electric fences) Often breed, raise and train horses and dogs	(Source: ABC News) (Source: ABC News)
FENCING/YARD BUILDING  (own page) – Construct and repair farm fences and yards using a range of materials (timber, steel, concrete posts; plain, barbed, electrified wire, meshes) Own and operate a range of mechanised equipment (tractors and attachments, chainsaws, welders, generators, hydraulic/air tools) Coordinate purchase and delivery of materials.	(Source: SWS Rural Fencing)
MACHINERY – Own or lease and operate agricultural machinery to carry out one or more of the following tasks: Slashing, hay/silage making, bulldozing/earthmoving, cultivation, sowing, harvesting. Tractor Driver: Connect a variety of equipment and operate it safely on the road, across paddocks and on undulating terrain. Complex Machinery Operator: Requiring good technical skills, operating a combine harvester or foraging machine Mechanical support - Machinery is key to rural contracting and it needs to function properly. People who can perform regular maintenance and repairs are important, particularly as service centres are often some distance away.	(Source: Opportunities Grow Here)
MUSTERING – Gather livestock into groups (flocks/mobs/herds) and walk from paddocks to yards and sheds Work livestock in yards and carry out animal husbandry tasks as required. - Own, coordinate and use mustering plant (vehicles, bikes, horses, dogs, ultra lights, gyrocopters) Often breed, raise and train horses and dogs	(Source: Flight Safety Australia)
SHEARING TEAMS [below]
UNDER WOOLSHED CLEANER [below]- Own or lease and operate agricultural machinery to carry out one task: Cleaning under the woolshed to prevent the spread of disease and eliminate as much smell as possible.	(Source: Sludgebusters)
WEED/PEST CONTROL –(own page)  Manage and control weeds and other vegetation and a range of agricultural pests using chemicals. Carry out vertebrate pest control Correctly identify weeds or pests and advise on appropriate control methods. Own and operate a range of chemical application equipment (tractors, boom sprays) Coordinate purchase and safe transport, handling and storage of chemicals.	(Source: Opportunities Grow Here)

 

 

 

AWI Novice - Crutching
https://youtu.be/RCr7XlSH8d4?si=DxaD1Vz18zWAHMRW

 

 

  
Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Strong communication skills

• Careful organization

• Excellent customer service

• Positivity in the workplace

• Commitment to learning

• Active in the community

• Effective negotiation skills

• Critical thinking and problem-solving

• Proactive business practices

• Attention to detail

• Strong online presence

River Cottage Tilba NSW - Goats for hire, eating a valley of the weed Lantana, by Rural Contractor
(Source: Herds for Hire)

Duties and Tasks

The contractor operates as an independent business:

•  Communicating with the farm owner/manager

•  Assessing and quoting for the job

•  Scheduling jobs allowing for location, season and the requirements of farmers to
  maximise efficiency

•  Maintaining budgets, records and reports (purchases/sales, invoices, production
  records, chemical records, staff/contractor payments)

•  Managing and coordinating the contract team.

Working conditions

• Contract farm work is very practical and usually outdoors. Depending on the season and
  activity the hours can be irregular and long.

•  Contractors are expected to supply their own machinery, equipment, tools and plant
  (horses and dogs)

•  Sufficient funds or financial backing are essential to establish the business and purchase
  or lease machinery and equipment

•  Planning on a daily and weekly basis can be affected by prevailing weather conditions

•  Contractors may work on their own, as part of a team or monitor the work of various teams
  in different locations

•  Depending on the size and structure of the contract business and team, involvement of the
  contractor in the actual work will vary. There will be a certain amount of time spent in the
  office and liaising with owners and suppliers.

Education and training/entrance requirements

•  Contractors need the experience, skills and knowledge that allow them to provide a specialised service.

•  Gaining a formal qualification will help you to develop the knowledge and skills that you need to develop a successful contracting business.

•  If you are already working at this level you can have your skills recognised by applying for a qualification with a training provider.

•  Check whether there are training or licensing requirements in your State to do some tasks such as using chemicals or chainsaws, operating a front-end loader or driving a vehicle

 

Career Path	Training Requirements
Contracting Business You work as a sole trader or in a partnership and may employ a small number of staff.	VOCATIONAL TRAINING    Certificate 3 in Agriculture/Rural Business Certificate 4 in Agriculture/Rural Business
Contracting Company    If your contracting business has been successful you may choose to expand the scale of your enterprise and move to a company structure with increased staff and machinery under the company’s control.	VOCATIONAL TRAINING    Diploma in Agriculture/Rural Business Management Advanced Diploma in Agriculture/Rural Business Management    TERTIARY EDUCATION     Degree in Agribusiness Degree in Rural Business Management (or equivalent

 

 

The wool industry in Australia provides more than $3.6 billion dollars to the Australian economy, cares for more than 78.6 million sheep and produces more than 362 million kilograms of wool.

Shearing contractors manage teams of shearers and wool handlers. They undertake all arrangements for managing and servicing shearing sheds for the property owners who engage them.

Many shearing contractors are also professional wool classers.

ANZSCO ID: N/A
  
Knowledge, skills and attributes

Shearing contractors are business managers, so an interest in business and working with teams of people is a must.

• Knowledge of the sheep station and its facilities for the shearers - a place to stay, decent toilets, shower facilities, a clean kitchen, and air conditioning.

• Knowledge on how to manage shearing operations and shearers

• Great communication skills promoting the business and calming any disputes within the shed

• Be able to negotiate contracts to the benefit of the shearers and contractor

• Excellent organising skills

• Business acumen and knowledge of accounts

• Risk taker - looking for ways to improve the shearing process for the shearer and his business

• Conscious of WHS within the shed

• Knowledge of the Microsoft suite to maintain accurate records for invoicing and payment

At just 26 years of age, Lochie Robertson is running a successful shearing contracting business.
(Source: ABC News)

Key points of article (5min read):

Shearing contractor Lochie Robertson employs more than 40 people

The 26-year-old hires people from all walks of life, with his team shearing more than 300,000 sheep a year

He uses social media to bolster his workforce with international shearers

With the country's shorn sheep flock nudging 75 million head, it means the wool industry is desperate for at least 500 more shearers.

"Some of my good shearers are clearing over $5,000 a week at the moment, classers $500 a day, and a roustabout starting out is making $75 a run," Mr Robertson said.
(Source: ABC News)

Duties and Tasks

• Employ and manage shearing teams and shed staff

• Hire shearers, wool handlers, pressers and classers, providing induction and training,
  organising work schedules, paying wages.

• Negotiating contract details for shearing with wool growers

• Communicating with managers/farmers (clients) to determine shed and flock size, number of sheep mobs and shed supplies

• Managing the shearing for each shed

• Making sure that all equipment for the shearers is well maintained eg. combs and cutters.

• Organising the work load of each team member to ensure the smooth running of the shed and a quality wool clip for the farmer

• Organising the run of shearing sheds

• Scheduling the shearing program and teams between sheds that allows for location, season and the requirements of farmers to maximise efficiency

• Managing the contracting business

• Maintaining accounts, payments and other records

• Classing the wool clip

Working conditions

Shearing usually takes place in a shearing shed where a coordinated team harvests the
wool. The number of days spent in each shed will depend on the number of shearing stands in the shed and the size of the team and the flock.

Sufficient work may be available in the local area allowing travel to and from home on a
daily basis or the shearing contractor may live and work away from home for periods of
time.

The shearing contractor has the responsibility for arranging shearing in client’s sheds,
organising the teams and for all the requirements of the contracting business.

 

Tools and technologies

The Shearing Contractor has to be aware of the new technologies that will help the shearer complete his/her work in a more streamlike way. One of the new technologies that the Australian Wool Innovation Ltd is testing [2024] is the Sheep Delivery Unit project

As part of a new AWI project, a mechanical system is under development that delivers the sheep to the shearer, thereby reducing the catch and drag. This minimises the chance of injury to the shearer and the sheep whilst also maximising productivity with significantly reduced handling times.

The design focuses on a ‘modular’ concept in which portable singular shearing stands can be joined together to make a multi-stand shearing platform, which can be stored away after use. Added design elements will allow for straight board or U-shape configuration.
(Source AWI)

 

Shearing Race Delivery Project
https://youtu.be/PSh_2PnBMtM?si=7D1ll-nA7UiXnF9g

 

Look at how Engineers have helped shearers!

The Shearing Contractor has to have proficient skills in the Microsoft suite to maintain records of the sheep stations requiring shearers and the availabilty of shearers.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Shearing contractors often work their way up from being a shearer or wool handler, with many years of experience. However formal education in business management is always
advantageous.

Shearing contractors need the experience, skills and knowledge that allow them to provide a specialised service. Gaining a formal qualification will help you to develop the knowledge and skills that you need to develop a successful contracting business. If you are already working at this level, you can have your skills recognised by applying for a qualification with a training provider.

Career Path	Training Requirements
• Shed overseer You are responsible for organising the shearing shed and team for an efficient wool harvest.	VOCATIONAL TRAINING • Certificate 3 in Shearing
• Shearing Contracting Business You work as a sole trader or in a partnership and hire a small number of staff.	VOCATIONAL TRAINING • Certificate 4 in Shearing • Certificate 4 in Wool Classing • Certificate 3 or 4 in Rural Business
• Shearing Contracting Company If your contracting business has been successful you may choose to expand the scale of your enterprise and move to a company structure with an increased number of staff	TERTIARY EDUCATION • Degree in Agribusiness • Degree in Rural Business Management (or equivalent)

 

Employment Opportunities

The number of sheep that need shearing is massive in Australia. However, it takes a certain type of person to be on the road for months on end while shearing season is happening. The Shearing Contractor has to be well organised and have a shearing crew that is well recognised.

 

 

 

Projections by the Meat and Livestock Australia in 2023 forecast the national sheep flock would exceed 78.75 million head of sheep in Australia. That flock will generate a serious amount of waste falling through the gratings of shearing sheds across the country.

This waste - manure and urine - accumulates under woolsheds or shearing sheds and needs to be cleaned out. Usually farmers do not have the time to spend cramped under their woolshed with the trusty shovel, manually removing the waste by hand. It’s dusty, dirty and smelly work. While it can be tedious for farmers to clear under their shearing sheds, it’s also important to make sure this crucial infrastructure remains clean and safe for workers. Cleaning underneath shearing sheds involves taking away wet, dry, hardened and loose manure. This is the job of the Under Woolshed Cleaner or Under Shearing Shed Cleaner.

 

ANZSCO ID: N/A

Alternative names: Under Shearing Shed Cleaner,
   
Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Active, fit and healthy

• Attention to detail

• Basic maths knowledge

 

This woolshed is a lot higher than most.
(Source: Sludgebusters)

 

Duties and Tasks

• Dig or extract manure that is in piles under woolshed

• Clean out under and between stumps

• Calculate the amount of manure taken out

• Work out when the farmer will next need to have the space cleaned again

• Record and let farmer know if stumps have been effected by long exposure to manure

Working conditions

Working under the woolshed is claustrophobic. It is dusty, with lots of microscopic organisms floating around. This is a tedious task having repetitive actions to scrape out the manure.

 

Zoonoses are serious diseases that humans catch from animals and they can be life-threatening. Working in or under a shearing shed all day exposes under woolshed cleaners to infection. Infections may include Q Fever, hydatid infection, Leptospirosis, Orf and Yolk boils and wool lung. Cuts, scratches and grazes which may eventuate are a common target for infection. Sources of infection may include sheep urine and manure, maggots, lice, and a range of veterinary and agricultural chemicals.

As this job entails going from Sheep Station to Sheep Station, the under woolshed cleaner needs to have transport and a means to live on each property.

Tools and technologies

The under woolshed cleaner can use a variety of tools to get away the manure - some weighing over 100 tons:

a. Shovel

b. Homemade machines to scoop up the manure and bring it out

c. Vacuum - adapted for the work but unable to suck up water-logged or very hard manure

d. Racks

e. Front end loader

 

Education and training/entrance requirements

No education is required for this job however, training in Workplace Health and Safety and a background knowledge of the shearing shed would be helpful.

 

Employment Opportunities

 

As there is an extensive sheep industry in Australia, the need for under woolshed cleaning is an ongoing requirement. These workers will need to travel over the States to obtain work.

 

Clearing woolshed sheep poo is a dirty job with some surprising perks
Landline ABC Australia

https://youtu.be/2ht3nTkAbGk?si=lJq-xo-sYjnCmTrc

 

 

 

Agricultural equipment operators and contractors drive and run farm equipment to churn soil and to plant, grow, and harvest crops. They may perform tasks such as hay baling or irrigating pastures. They may operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks, such as husking, threshing, drying and sorting.

ANZSCO ID: 721111
   
Alternative names: Agricultural equipment contractor, Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator,
   
Specialisations: Own or lease and operate agricultural machinery to carry out one or more of the following tasks:

• Slashing,

• hay/silage making,

• bulldozing/earthmoving,

• cultivation,

• sowing,

• harvesting

  
Knowledge, skills and attributes

To become an agricultural equipment operator, you would need:

• physical stamina to cope with the demands of the job

• good practical and outdoor work skills

• the ability to work as part of a team

• the ability to work at a constant pace

• to be able to read and understand safety instructions

• the ability to follow precise directions.

(Source: The Examiner)

  
Duties and Tasks

As an agricultural equipment contractor, you would:

• operate or monitor equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, cultivators, and irrigation equipment

• use control system to correctly set, function, and adjust the machinery

• adjust, repair, and service farm machinery

• observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions

• irrigate crops and pastures, using and maintain portable pipes or ditch systems, and pumps

• mix specified materials or chemicals, and put them into planter or sprayer machinery for distribution

• coordinate the use of agricultural equipment as needed by clients

   
Working conditions

Most agricultural equipment operators or contractors work full time, and some operators may have irregular hours, especially when crops need to be harvested or adverse weather conditions are frequent.

Agricultural equipment operators work in all weather conditions. Workers often get dirty, greasy, muddy, or dusty.

Agricultural equipment contractors may travel frequently between contract jobs throughout the district, state or even nationally.

Tools and technologies

As Rural Contractors, they can offer a range of specialised services and therefore a diverse fleet of heavy equipment.

• Constructing farm roads and building sites

• Land clearing and preparation

• Dam construction and water systems

• Cattle yard construction

• Pasture improvement works

• Fencing for farms and acreage properties

• Timber felling

• Shed building

• Rock wall construction

   

Caterpillar D5N dozer plus stick rake Kubota 5.5 tonne excavator Tip truck with crane Flatbed truck with crane

Welding and other fence and shed building equipment Generators for off grid construction

 

Some examples of equipment:

 

Fencing	Cattle Yard Construction
Land Clearing	Rock Wall Construction

(Source: Walker Rural Contracting)

Education and training/entrance requirements

Many workers learn equipment operation on the job, while others learn through an apprenticeship or by attending private trade schools.

Some agricultural equipment operators work as contractors. They may have their own machinery and contract out the use of these often specialised machines to farmers without their own equipment.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of agricultural equipment operators is projected to remain stable even as the agricultural industry grows.

The continuing ability of the agricultural sector to produce more with fewer workers will result in less demand for agricultural workers. Self-employed contractors are more likely to find increased employment as specialised agricultural equipment is extremely costly to buy and maintain.

Other jobs Rural Contractors can do

 

(Source: Rural Contractors NZ)

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

(Jobs not linked are currenly being worked on)
 

Dog Breeder	Farmer Farm Worker /Hand	Farrier	Feedlot Manager
Fencer	Horse Breeder	Horse Groomer	Jillaroo/Jackeroo
Livestock Farmer	Livestock Transport  Driver	Mobile Plant Operator Frontend Loader	Pastoralist
Pest & Weed Controller	Shearer	Truck Driver	Veterinarian
Wool Classer

 

 

Materials sourced from

Web Archive Only - CareerHQ [Agriculture Equipment Operator or Contractor; ]
Woolwise [Rural Contractor - PDF; ]
Woolwise [Shearing Contractor; - PDF; ]
Indeed [how to be a successful contractor; ]
Opportunity Grows Here [Rural Contracting; ]
Trait Lab [Farm Labor Contractor; ]