Ranch Jobs in Australia

Take advantage of the 18-35 Working Holiday Visa in Australia and head Down Under for a farm or ranch job experience in Oz! This exciting 12 day package of beach relaxation and farm work training is the kick-start you’ll need to work your way across the outback as a ranch hand. You’ll get a guaranteed paid ranch job at the end of your training – awesome!

Day 1, Thursday: Meet the team 

It's time to say G'day to your fellow group members and the team today. We will begin with an overview of the programme and what to expect in the upcoming days. We will meet at 10am and have lunch at 12pm. You'll be staying in a centrally located hostel in buzzing Brisbane. Head out for a welcome meeting tonight with other travellers in your group.

As there is a 10am start we strongly advise that you arrive a day prior. Our team can help you book any pre-accommodation.

Day 2, Friday: Welcome and Pre-Training Briefing in Brisbane

After spending your first night in your amazing Brisbane hostel (located overlooking the Brisbane River) you’ll join a welcome meeting today, where you will be given a pre-training briefing. During the day, you can try canoeing or abseiling at a local activity centre.

Day 3-4, Saturday/Sunday: Relax in Brisbane

Spend another 2 days enjoying the idyllic beaches, awesome activities and great nightlife in Brisbane. This is the ideal introduction to the Aussie lifestyle and the perfect way to settle in to Oz, relax, recharge and get set for your ranch training. Your brilliant hostel is located overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD. All optional activities this weekend are at your own cost. 

Once you’ve enjoyed some downtime in Brisbane it’s time to strap on your cowboy boots and get ready to start your ranch training!

Day 5, Monday – Day 9, Friday: Ranch Training

For the next five days you’ll be staying at your training ranch placement, learning the ropes down on the farm. On Monday morning you’ll be transferred from Brisbane to the ranch ready to start your training.

On your five-day introduction into rural ranch life, you’ll be taught all the basics of farm and outback safety. Training activities include:

• Surveying and maintaining fence perimeters
• Getting your cowboy skills up to speed looking after cattle, performing routine tasks such as injecting, driving, and mustering
• Learning the reins of basic horsemanship
• Riding agricultural motorbikes for adrenaline-fuelled action down on the farm!
• Learning to drive tractors and navigation
• Learning all about necessary vehicle maintenance and operation of agricultural machinery
• Farm safety

Please note: You will need to hold a manual driving licence in order to take part in this ranch jobs programme.

After the training finishes, you will travel to Brisbane on the Friday evening and have three included nights of accommodation.

Days 10-12, Saturday/Sunday/Monday: Travel to Your Job Placement

You’ll be fully prepared to head to the job of your choice, so you can go straight out and get working, or head off round the country on your travels, whatever suits you!

Examples of Ranch Jobs Available in Australia

Once you have completed training we will find you a guaranteed farm or ranch job, plus 12 months of job support. Common ranch positions include:

• Tractor work and farming
• Driving
• Sheep and cattle station work
• Horsemanship work
• Teaching and childcare in the outback
• Hospitality

What You Can Expect To Earn

Most job offers include accommodation and meals as part of the deal so you can soon save some money for Aussie adventures! Depending on the job, the location, your skills, expertise and dedication, wages can vary though, with minimum wage at AUD882 a week. In most positions, you’ll start out on a basic wage, which may increase as your skills progress.

The programme starts at 10am on a Thursday due to the morning start, we advise arriving a day early; please speak to a travel advisor for details on how to book pre-accommodation.

Transport to and from the airport into Brisbane is affordable and easy, and the hostel we recommend is typically around $25-40 AUD a night.

Brisbane Introduction

Before your ranch training begins you will spend 4 nights relaxing and soaking up the sunshine in Brisbane. You will be staying at a popular hostel in the city centre, overlooking the CBD and Brisbane River. Staying in shared dorm rooms, the hostel also has great facilities and is a mecca for backpackers.

Meals are not included during your stay in Brisbane but you can grab a bite in a local restaurant.

Training Ranch

Once you’re at the training ranch, you’ll be out in the wide open ranges of the outback, sharing a room with between two and three other people. Three home cooked and hearty farm meals will be provided everyday at the training ranch during your stay.

Please note that dietary requirements (such as lactose/gluten intolerance and veganism) are difficult to cater for in remote areas of Australia where shopping opportunities are limited. You should therefore take your own snacks / special dietary food with you when joining the programme. If you would prefer, for a surcharge of $25 per day, alternative food can be purchased for you at the training ranch.

Ranch Jobs

While you are working in a paid ranch job, most ranch placements will be at outback family homes, so you'll soon become part of a new family and community. The majority of ranch jobs include accommodation and meals so you'll be able to save up your wages for travel or adventures in Oz!

Driving Licence

Applicants need to have a manual driving licence in order to join this programme. Once you have put down your deposit, you will be sent an application form which asks details of your motivations for joining the programme and any experience you may have.

Experience and Attitude

The ideal candidate will have work experience in an outdoor environment and can demonstrate they are not afraid of hard-work. We ask all candidates to be as detailed as possible on their application form and to gain as much outdoor and farm experience as possible before starting the programme.

Candidates must be mature, responsible and independent and prepared to take on a responsible farm role. A positive can-do attitude is essential!

Due to the remote and manual nature of the work, you will need to be physically and mentally fit in order to participate.

Working Holiday Visa

British citizens aged between 18-35 (inclusive) are eligible for Working Holiday Visa. You can apply through us by selecting "+ Visa" in the dropdown menu when booking, or you can arrange your visa yourself. 

To be eligible for a visa, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Hold a passport issued by an eligible country or region*
• Be aged 18-35 (inclusive) at the time of applying*
• Not be accompanied by dependent children at any time during your stay in Australia
• Meet health, character and financial requirements
• Have not previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday visa (unless applying for a second or third year visa)
• Be outside Australia when you apply and when visa is granted
• Apply within 12 months of intended travel to Australia.
• Have sufficient funds to cover your expected living/trip costs during your stay
• Have funds for a return or onward ticket to depart Australia (or an actual ticket)
• Have health insurance

Please note: If you have a criminal record, you are still able to apply for a Working Holiday Visa yourself, but we will not be able to process your visa for you.

*Certain other nationalities are also eligible for this visa, although for some countries the age limit is 30 years old. For full details please see our Australian Working Holiday Visa page.

Second and Third Year Visas

Due to the free trade agreement between the UK and Australia, British citizens can apply for up to 3 working holiday visas without the need to do rural/farm work to be eligible. This allows British citizens to stay in Australia for up to 3 years in total. Each visa is granted separately and is valid for 1 year. Second and third year visas can be done consecutively, but they don't need to be. As long as you meet the standard age and eligibility requirements you can apply at any time, either from Australia or abroad. Gap 360 can help you apply for the first year visa, but you will need to apply directly for any second or third year visas yourself once you have started your first year visa in Australia.

For more information, check out our Ultimate Guide to the Working Holiday Visa Australia.

Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for up to date information.

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