Assistant Farm Manager

The role an Assistant Farm Manager involves assisting Farm Managers/Farm Overseers with daily duties of growing crops or producing livestock in addition to any associated office and administrative duties. Farm managers are generally responsible for the running of an entire enterprise or specific sections such as a piggery, dairy, poultry, sheep or cropping programmes. Their duties are typically extensive and varied.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

16% of farmers in South Australia have Certificate III or Certificate IV, 9.9% have Certificate I or Certificate II and 6.8% have Advanced Diplomas or Diplomas. Whilst 57.8% have no post school qualifications, it is highly recommended that you gain the available qualifications to have the best possible opportunity of entering this occupation.

TAFE SA offers the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation:

Certificate I in Rural Operations
Certificate II in Rural Operations
Certificate II Agriculture
Certificate III in Agriculture
Certificate IV in Agriculture
Certificate II in Irrigation
Certificate III in Irrigation
Certificate IV in Irrigation
Diploma of Irrigation
Certificate II in Shearing
Certificate III in Shearing
Certificate III in Wool Clip Preparation
Certificate II in Wool Handling
Certificate III in Advanced Wool Handling
Certificate IV in Wool Classing
Diploma of Agriculture


For more information please follow links to course pages or contact TAFE SA Information line on telephone number: 1800 882 661.

For further information on how to obtain a traineeship position, please contact the Traineeships and Apprenticeships Services information line on 1800 673 097.

There are currently a number of changes taking place in the farming sector and because of these, the ability to adapt is critical. Certificates in Agriculture and Rural Business are lead as a pathway to this type of career. Trade skills and animal care are highly desirable but not mandatory.

Some of an Assistant Farm Managers tasks might include rotating livestock in paddocks, preparing milking machinery and assisting with milking operations, removing the tails of lambs, mustering, drenching, dipping, shearing sheep, clearing away animal waste and hosing out operational areas. You are also likely to be preparing animal food, participate in breeding programs, controlling pests and weeds, repairing farm buildings, yards and property, as well as maintaining financial and farming records. Assistant Farm Managers also assist with or manage pasture and stock breeding programs, buy and sell stock, machinery and farming materials and supervise other farm staff.

You will need to be adaptable and versatile, as you will be expected to carry out practical farm skills as well as maintain financial records and develop comprehensive short and long term property management strategies. Organisational skills and the ability to plan ahead are also important, as farmers and farm managers have to apply different strategies to protect themselves from unpredictable changes in the market for agricultural products. Such strategies might include carefully planning the combination of crops grown, so that if the price of one crop drops, sufficient income can be yielded from other crops. In some cases, livestock can be kept and crops stored, in order to take advantage of better prices at a later time.

Assistant Farm Managers need to possess a wide range of skills from the practical ability needed to weld, repair and operate a range of equipment and tending to livestock needs, to the management skills or organising resources, budgeting and marketing produce. It is not an easy job, but definitely a rewarding one according to those in the industry. Computing skills are also desirable, as many farmers and managers now use computers to keep records and to manage farm operations such as breeding.

Much of the on a farm is outdoors and Assistant Farm managers are often exposed to harsh climatic conditions. The working day starts early in the morning and its fairly usual to work during the weekends. Hours vary and you can be working for as many as 18 hours a day during the busy months. The work can also be hazardous and carries a risk of injury from machinery. For this reason, an awareness of farm safety practices is important and it is essential to be always alert on the job.

The earnings of an Assistant Farm Manager is extremely variable and depend upon the type of farm, level of experience and responsibilities and, perhaps most importantly, the farm's productivity. Starting salaries for farm hands range from around $21 000 – $52 000 per year. There may also be other benefits such as free housing, food products and the use of a vehicle.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au