Job Description
The Farm Animal Handler and Trainer is responsible for the training, grooming, and day-to-day care of a mixed farm's livestock, primarily Valais Blacknose sheep, cattle, and pygmy goats, with occasional care duties for horses on the property.
The role ensures all animals are well-behaved, healthy, and properly presented, whether for breeding, agricultural shows, or sale.
Duties combine hands-on training and behavioural management with grooming, feeding, health monitoring, and general animal husbandry.
Key responsibilities
Teach animals to respond to verbal and non-verbal commands, and correct behavioural problems (e.g., flighty or aggressive behaviour in cattle, escape-prone tendencies in pygmy goats, handling issues in sheep)
Halter-train and lead-train cattle for handling, yarding, and show preparation
Prepare Valais Blacknose sheep, cattle, and pygmy goats for agricultural shows, competitions, or sale, including handling and presentation training
Groom animals as needed — washing and coat care for Valais Blacknose sheep, hoof trimming for goats, sheep, and other livestock
Inspect, clean, disinfect, and maintain paddocks, pens, and shelters to ensure protected and comfortable living conditions for each species
Transport feed and hay, fill water troughs, and feed each species according to its specific nutritional needs (e.g., copper-sensitive requirements for sheep, mineral needs for cattle, browse-based diet considerations for pygmy goats)




Maintain accurate health, breeding, and behaviour records for each animal; treat minor injuries or ailments (e.g., footrot, minor cuts) and report serious conditions to a veterinarian
Exercise and handle animals daily, and move them safely between paddocks or pens, including mustering cattle and leading sheep and goats
Assist with lambing, calving, and kidding as needed, and monitor young animals for health issues
Apply pest and parasite control treatments (drenching, dipping, spraying, or dusting) tailored to each species — e.g., fly and lice control for sheep and cattle, worming for goats
About you
Knowledge of behaviour, handling, and training techniques across sheep, cattle, and goats
Awareness of breed-specific needs — e.g., Valais Blacknose sheep's wool and hoof care, cattle temperament and handling in yards, pygmy goats' agility and fencing requirements
Physical fitness for outdoor farm work, lifting, and handling larger animals
Experience with farm handling equipment (yards, crushes, halters, lead ropes, fencing)
Patience and calm, confident manner around animals of varying size and temperament
Basic animal first-aid knowledge and sound judgement on when to call a veterinarian
Good record-keeping and communication skills
Position is full time, based in Main Ridge, Victoria.
Salary dependent on experience, plus superannuation.
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📌 Animal Handler And Trainer (Melbourne)
🏢 Flipper Services
📍 Melbourne