31. Classifications

[Varied by PR781364]

31.1 Farm and livestock hand level 1 (FLH1)

An employee at this level includes:

[31.1(a) varied by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(a) Station hand with less than 6 months’ experience in the industry;

[31.1(b) varied by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(b) Station cook with less than 6 months’ experience in the industry;

[31.1(c) varied by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(c) Station cook’s offsider with less than 6 months’ experience in the industry; and

[31.1(d) substituted by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(d) Cattle farm worker grade A who:

 works under direct supervision either individually or in a team environment;

 understands and undertakes basic quality control/assurance procedures including the ability to recognise basic quality deviations/faults;

 understands and utilises basic statistical process control procedures; and

 has less than 6 months’ experience in the industry (after which the employee will progress to Cattle farm worker grade B).

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this grade may perform are the following:

 routine mustering;

 routine fence repairs;

 aerial stock sighting;

 repetitive packing and/or unpacking; and

 kitchen/cooking assistance not involving food preparation.

(e) Feedlot employee level 1 with less than 3 months’ experience in the industry.

[31.1(f) varied by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(f) Dairy operator grade 1A with less than 6 months’ experience in the industry who:

 uses their knowledge and skills to perform set procedures such as milking and attending to livestock, haymaking, fencing.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 operate milking plant and equipment in a safe manner;

 identify and report equipment not operating normally;

 work co-operatively as part of a team;

 read and record instrument information i.e. milk vat temperatures and cow numbers; and

 understand the principles of safe working.

31.2 Farm and livestock hand level 2 (FLH2)

An employee at this level includes:

[New 31.2(a) inserted by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(a) Station hand with 6 to 12 months’ experience in the industry.

[New 31.2(b) inserted by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(b) Station cook with more than 6 months’ experience in the industry.

[31.2(c) inserted by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(c) Station cook’s offsider with more than 6 months’ experience in the industry.

[31.2(a) renumbered as 31.2(d) by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(d) Cattle farm worker grade B who:

 performs work above and beyond the skills of a cattle farm worker grade A and to the level of their training;

 is responsible for the quality of their own work subject to routine supervision;

 works under routine supervision either individually or in a team environment; and

 exercises discretion within their level of skills and training.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 receive, check, despatch and record goods received and sent;

 assist a tradesperson;

 basic non-trades daily maintenance of equipment used by the employee;

 sort and cut out stock;

 sort and brand yarded stock;

 fence repairs;

 kitchen/cooking assistance not involving unsupervised food preparation;

 boundary riding;

 forklift, overhead crane, winch or tractor operation; and

 household domestic work other than childcare or child education.

[31.2(b) renumbered as 31.2(e) by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(e) Feedlot employee grade 1 with more than 3 months’ experience in the industry who:

 works under direct supervision with regular checking of their work.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 perform cattle handling procedures;

 perform cattle health and welfare procedures;

 assist with euthanasing livestock;

 assist with performance of cattle post-mortem procedures;

 transport, handle and store chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 prepare and apply chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 operate moving plant and equipment competently and efficiently;

 perform grain processing procedures;

 perform feed manufacture and delivery procedures;

 perform hygiene and housekeeping procedures associated with the primary work area;

 perform feedlot and environment maintenance procedures;

 possess understanding of industry quality assurance programs and all site operating procedures; and

 carry out workplace work health and safety procedures.

[31.2(f) inserted by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(f) Dairy operator grade 1A with 6 to 12 months’ experience in the industry.

31.3 Farm and livestock hand level 3 (FLH3)

An employee at this level includes:

(a) Station hand who:

 has at least 12 months’ experience in the industry as a station hand; but

 does not conform to the definition of senior station hand (FLH5) in clause 31.5.

(b) Dairy operator grade 1B with 12 months’ experience in the industry who:

 uses their knowledge and skills to perform set procedures such as milking and attending to livestock, haymaking, fencing.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 operate milking plant and equipment, in a safe manner;

 identify and report equipment not operating normally;

 work co-operatively as part of a team;

 read and record instrument information i.e. milk vat temperatures and cow numbers; and

 understands the principles of safe working.

31.4 Farm and livestock hand level 4 (FLH4)

An employee at this level includes:

(a) Feedlot employee level 2 who:

 has 2 years’ experience in the feedlot industry; and

 works under routine supervision with intermittent checking of their work.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 utilise ability to make independent work decisions at this level;

 perform cattle handling procedures;

 perform cattle health and welfare procedures;

 euthanase livestock;

 perform cattle post-mortem procedures;

 select livestock for specific markets;

 transport, handle and store chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 prepare and apply chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 operate moving plant and equipment competently and efficiently;

 perform grain processing procedures;

 perform feed manufacture and delivery procedures;

 perform hygiene and housekeeping procedures associated with the primary work area;

 perform feedlot and environment maintenance procedures;

 possess understanding of industry quality assurance programs and all site operating procedures; and

 carry out workplace work health and safety procedures.

31.5 Farm and livestock hand level 5 (FLH5)

An employee at this level includes:

(a) Dairy operator grade 2 who:

 has 2 years’ experience in the industry;

 uses their knowledge and skills to multiple operations involving basic levels of problem solving and decision making; and

 has an appreciation of the overall processes involved in a dairy farm.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 operate milking plant and equipment, undertake multiple functions, produce a quality outcome e.g. farm machinery;

 maintain machinery, undertake adjustments and size changes;

 solve problems and make decisions within given guidelines;

 know general scientific terminology and assist with processes such as machine repair, artificial insemination, fertiliser mix design etc.;

 operate standard measuring equipment;

 operate computerised systems using menu options;

 contribute to the team in a specific role, providing input and assisting other team members; and

 work at times without supervision.

(b) Senior station hand is an employee who:

 has at least 2 years’ experience in the industry; and

 is capable of performing efficiently without supervision any of the tasks reasonably required of them.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 drive, maintain and operate farm vehicles and machinery;

 animal husbandry;

 stock handling;

 irrigation work; and

 use of chemicals.

31.6 Farm and livestock hand level 6 (FLH6)

An employee at this level includes:

(a) Feedlot employee level 3 who:

 has Certificate III qualifications;

 has worked in the feedlot industry for at least 2 years; and

 works with limited supervision with checking of their work related to overall progress.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 utilise ability to make independent work decisions;

 utilise Certificate III qualifications daily in the employee’s primary work area;

 perform cattle handling procedures;

 perform cattle health and welfare procedures;

 euthanase livestock;

 perform cattle post-mortem procedures;

 select livestock for specific markets;

 transport, handle and store chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 prepare and apply chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 operate moving plant and equipment competently and efficiently;

 perform grain processing procedures;

 perform feed manufacture and delivery procedures;

 perform hygiene and housekeeping procedures associated with the primary work area;

 perform feedlot and environment maintenance procedures;

 possess understanding of industry quality assurance programs and all site operating procedures; and

 carry out workplace work health and safety procedures.

31.7 Farm and livestock hand level 7 (FLH7)

An employee at this level includes:

(a) Senior dairy operator grade 1 who:

 uses their knowledge and skills to coordinate the operation of a farm process or area of expertise e.g. milking and animal attendance, pasture and farm maintenance, breeding programs and artificial insemination area.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 overview of all farm operations;

 show strong planning and organising abilities, develop work plans to achieve objectives;

 operate computer equipment and software packages requiring set-up and basic function operation;

 maintain equipment requiring modification, part replacement and overhauls;

 gather information, generate a range of options and implement a course of action to solve problems;

 demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the dairy industry monitoring the industry through literature;

 use measuring equipment requiring calibration and measurement conversion;

 use established scientific processes in at least one area of specification;

 co-operate with other team members, establish priorities and work goals; and

 work with others to develop their competencies.

(b) Feedlot employee level 4 who:

 has Certificate III qualifications;

 has worked in the feedlot industry for at least 2 years; and

 works with limited supervision with checking of their work related to overall progress.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 utilise ability to make independent work decisions;

 utilise Certificate III qualifications daily in the employee’s primary work area;

 perform cattle handling procedures (where livestock operation is the primary work area);

 perform cattle health and welfare procedures (where livestock operation is the primary work area);

 euthanase livestock (where livestock operation is the primary work area);

 perform cattle post-mortem procedures (where livestock operation is the primary work area);

 select livestock for specific markets;

 transport, handle and store chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 prepare and apply chemicals applicable to primary work area;

 operate moving plant and equipment competently and efficiently;

 perform grain processing procedures (where feeding and milling operations is the primary work area);

 perform feed manufacture and delivery procedures (where feeding and milling operations is the primary work area);

 perform hygiene and housekeeping procedures associated with the primary work area;

 perform feedlot and environment maintenance procedures (where feedlot and environment maintenance operations is the primary work area);

 possess understanding of industry quality assurance programs and all site operating procedures;

 carry out workplace work health and safety procedures.

31.8 Farm and livestock hand level 8 (FLH8)

An employee at this level includes:

(a) Senior dairy operator grade 2 who:

 under the direction of the owner or manager uses their expertise and skills in order to supervise and maintain the operation of a dairy farm.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following:

 set and monitor work goals;

 anticipate potential problems/issues and determine the best course of action;

 approach the resolution of conflict using objectivity and reason, differentiating between the two;

 supervise other grades;

 where appropriate, seek to develop team performance and cohesion, taking into account competencies and the needs of team members;

 keep abreast of dairy industry trends and changes;

 where necessary, exercise foresight in relation to farm needs and make recommendations to farm management; and

 operate scientific processes necessary to achieve farm objectives.

2. Definitions

[Varied by PR734194, PR774744, PR777262, PR795663]

In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:

Act means the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

all purposes means the payment will be included in the rate of pay of an employee who is entitled to the allowance, when calculating any penalties or loadings or payment while they are on annual leave (see clause 18.2(a)).

broadacre field crops means grains, seeds, grasses, silage, legumes, fibre, flowers, and other crops grown as part of a broadacre mixed farming enterprise.

broadacre mixed farming enterprise:

 means a farming enterprise consisting of the growing of broadacre field crops as defined;

 includes the rearing, management, and grazing of livestock;

 means a farming enterprise which combines both; or

 means a farming enterprise which in addition to any of the above grows other crops, for the purposes of crop rotation or the rearing, management, and grazing of livestock as part of a mixed farming enterprise.

[Definition of casual employee inserted by PR734194 from 27Sep21; varied by PR777262 from 27Aug24]

casual employee has the meaning given by section 15A of the Act.

NOTE: Section 15A of the Act was amended with effect from 26 August 2024. Under clause 102(3) of Schedule 1 to the Act, an existing employee who was a casual employee of an employer under section 15A as it was immediately before that date is taken to be a casual employee of the employer for the purposes of section 15A after that date.

casual pieceworker means a Shearer, Crutcher or Woolpresser engaged as a casual employee and paid the piecework rates in accordance with Part 9—Shearing Operations.

crutching includes all the operations for which rates are prescribed in this award. The meanings of the words crutch, Crutcher and crutched are similarly extended.

cut out means the completion of the shearing or crutching of the last sheep shorn or crutched at the termination of the shed.

defined benefit member has the meaning given by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).

double-fleeced means a sheep carrying 2 years’ fleece.

employee means national system employee within the meaning of the Act.

[Definition of employee organisation inserted by PR774744; substituted retrospectively by PR795663 ppc 01Jul24]

employee organisation has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

employer means national system employer within the meaning of the Act.

[Definition of enterprise inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

enterprise has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).

expeditionary employee means a woolclasser or Shearing shed expert who commences on the day as agreed for commencing shearing and resides on the property for the duration of the shearing. Expeditionary employees are entitled to free board and lodging.

experience in the industry means all and any experience in the industry as described in clause 4.2 of this award.

farm and livestock hand means an employee performing the work described in the classifications which apply to such work in Part 6—Broadacre Farming and Livestock Operations of this award and who is not a piggery attendant, poultry worker or any employee classified under Part 9—Shearing Operations.

found employees are employees who are supplied with up to 5 meals per day during the course of shearing or crutching; such meals are to be provided by the employer together with suitable accommodation.

keep is where a farm and livestock hand is employed on the ‘with keep’ rate as prescribed in this award, ‘keep’ will mean good and sufficient living accommodation and good and sufficient rations of sufficient quantity; sound, well-cooked and properly served by the cook or the cook’s offsider; but it will not include accommodation under a roof or cooking when circumstances render such accommodation or cooking impracticable.

livestock means all animals used in primary production including insects.

MySuper product has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).

NES means the National Employment Standards as contained in sections 59 to 131 of the Act.

on-hire means the on-hire of an employee by their employer to a client, where such employee works under the general guidance and instruction of the client or a representative of the client.

ordinary hourly rate means the minimum hourly rate for an employee’s classification specified in clauses 32, 37, 47 and 51—Minimum rates plus any allowances specified as being included in the employee’s ordinary hourly rate or payable for all purposes.

pastoral industry has the meaning given in clause 4.2.

piggery attendant means an employee who is employed by an employer who is exclusively, wholly or substantially engaged in the raising and breeding of pigs, and who performs duties described in the classifications in Part 7—Pig Breeding and Raising of this award.

poultry worker means an employee who is employed by an employer who is exclusively, wholly or substantially engaged in the raising and breeding of poultry, and who performs duties described in the classifications in Part 8—Poultry Farming of this award.

ram stags are rams that have been castrated when they are 18 months or older.

rams are male sheep that are more than 6 months old.

shearing is where:

 the employee takes off the belly wool first and lays it aside, and, when required by the employer, the employee shears over the tail when shearing the first side; and

 in opening the fleece at the neck and belly, the machine or both blades of the shears will be kept under the wool and close to the skin, so as to avoid twice cutting and where the employee does not run the machine or shears through the fleece so as to break it down the centre or the back.

shearing cook means an employee who cooks for 6 or more employees who are engaged for shearing or crutching operations.

shearing shed expert or expert means an employee who is competent to perform experting duties at a shearing shed as described in clause 50.8 in accordance with the requirements of the employer or a representative (such requirements to be specified at the time of engagement).

shed means shearing shed or, in relation to crutching work performed other than at a shed, the property, station or location where crutching work is or will be undertaken.

silviculture and afforestation means planting, pruning, fertilising and any other activity in or in connection with the establishment or cultivation of trees in forests.

[Definition of small business employer inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

small business employer has the meaning given by section 23 of the Act.

standard rate means the hourly rate payable to a farm and livestock hand level 2 in clause 32.1.

station cook means an employee who cooks for station hands and/or other station personnel.

stud ewes are ewes with tags in their ears from which rams are bred for sale or station use. The term does not include ewes of the flock which have tags in their ears for the purpose of identification other than for stud purposes.

wet place means a place where the clothing of the employee becomes wet or a place where the employee has to stand in water or slush so that the employee’s footwear becomes saturated.

woolclasser means a person who is registered as such and who is employed in or in conjunction with a shearing operation. A woolclasser who performs the additional duty of shearing shed experting at the one shearing will, for the purposes of this award, be deemed to be employed as a woolclasser and not as an expert.

woolpresser means a person who presses wool shorn or crutched; weighs, brands and stores the wool; presses and closes the bales; and performs additional duties as directed.

[Definition of workplace delegate inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

workplace delegate has the meaning given by section 350C(1) of the Act.

32. Minimum rates

[Varied by PR724570, PR729290, PR729479, PR740716, PR740884, PR762145, PR762308, PR773920, PR774088, PR786573, PR786739, PR799316, PR799473]

32.1 Adult rates

[32.1 varied by PR729290, PR740716, PR762145, PR773920, PR786573, PR799316 ppc 01Jul26]

The following rates apply to adult farm and livestock hands classified under clause 31—Classifications of this award:

Wage group | Minimum weekly rate (full-time employee) | Minimum hourly rate

| $ | $

FLH1 | 978.10 | 25.74

FLH2 | 1004.90 | 26.44

FLH3 | 1006.80 | 26.49

FLH4 | 1029.10 | 27.08

FLH5 | 1046.90 | 27.55

FLH6 | 1062.90 | 27.97

FLH7 | 1119.10 | 29.45

FLH8 | 1202.50 | 31.64

32.2 Junior rates

Age of employee | % of relevant adult rate

Under 16 years | 50

16 years | 60

17 years | 70

18 years | 80

19 years | 90

20 years | 100

32.3 With keep rate

[32.3 varied by PR724570, PR729479, PR740884, PR762308, PR774088, PR786739, PR799473 ppc 01Jul26]

If keep is provided then the employer may deduct an amount of $165.86 per week from the employee’s total weekly wages.

NOTE: See Clause B.2 for a summary of hourly rates of pay including overtime and penalty rates.