Dairy Assistant Farm Hand

unimelb; Dookie; On-site; AUD 66,000 - 69,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing programs

Discounted services

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

You will support the daily operations of a robotic dairy at the Dookie campus, underpinning teaching and research in animal science and farm systems. The role provides hands-on experience in dairy husbandry, robotic milking, and broader farm activities across livestock and crops.

We value practical farm experience and a commitment to animal welfare, with opportunities for professional development and a supportive regional campus community.

Qualifications

• Hands-on farming experience including livestock handling and basic husbandry.
• Ability to operate heavy farm machinery safely and manage farm chemicals per certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist daily dairy operations including feeding, yarding, weighing, milking and basic spraying tasks.
• Support calf rearing, cow transition and breeding programmes to maintain herd productivity and welfare.
• Monitor milk production and assist with routine maintenance of robotic milking equipment and farm machinery.
• Maintain accurate daily records, reports and compliance with animal welfare and farm safety requirements.
• Contribute to irrigation, pasture management and broader farm activities as part of the Dookie Farm team.

Skills

Livestock handling

Dairy farming experience

Animal welfare knowledge

Education

Certificate I/II in farming

Tools

Robotic milking systems

Farm machinery operation

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Role type: Part Time (0.7 FTE); Fixed-Term for 12 Months

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Department/ School: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

Salary: UoM 2: $66,493 - $69,182 p.a. plus 17% super

Hands-on role in robotic teaching and research dairy / varied farm tasks across livestock and crops / supportive regional campus community.

Investing in you - 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

You will support the daily operations of a robotic dairy that underpins teaching and research at Dookie. You will gain broad hands‑on experience in animal husbandry, robotic milking systems and wider farm activities.

What you will deliver:

• Assist daily dairy operations including feeding, yarding, weighing, milking and basic spraying tasks.
• Support calf rearing, cow transition and breeding programmes to maintain herd productivity and welfare.
• Monitor milk production and assist with routine maintenance of robotic milking equipment and farm machinery.
• Maintain accurate daily records, reports and compliance with animal welfare and farm safety requirements.
• Contribute to irrigation, pasture management and broader farm activities as part of the Dookie Farm team.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a Certificate I or II, or equivalent farming experience and relevant training.
• Bring practical farm hand experience in dairy enterprises, including livestock handling and basic husbandry.
• Understand animal welfare regulations and legislation, and apply them consistently in daily farm operations.
• Operate heavy farm machinery and equipment safely, and handle farm chemicals in line with certification.
• Manage rostered work including nights, weekends and public holidays, and meet physical role requirements.
• Use Microsoft Outlook and basic computer systems to record data, communicate and complete compliance tasks.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well‑being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work‑life balance and well‑being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well‑being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

Your new team - School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

At the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, you will join a vibrant science community. The Dookie Campus offers unique agricultural facilities, including dairy, cropping, sheep and orchard enterprises. You will contribute to teaching and research that address climate change, food security and sustainable farming. The team values collaboration, practical learning and partnerships with industry, government and communities.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child‑safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier‑free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [e-mail] .