Station Leading Hand

Australian Agricultural Company (Aaco); Emerald; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Allowances

Employee discounts

Training & development

Job summary

AACo is seeking a Station Leading Hand to join Goonoo Feedlot & Station in Central Queensland. Lead daily station activities, supervise mustering, and ensure cattle welfare. Strong leadership and livestock handling skills are essential, with a current driver’s licence and solid communication abilities.

You will work in a remote operational environment, coordinating resources, maintaining records, and supporting QA and maintenance programs to achieve high standards and business objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience on a cattle station, feedlot or similar livestock operation.
• Practical skills in cattle handling, mustering and animal husbandry.
• Demonstrated leadership to train and coach others.
• Knowledge of livestock welfare standards and record keeping.
• Current driver’s licence.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently with a proactive, organised approach.
• Proactive problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Flexibility and resilience in a remote operating environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily station activities and priorities to meet production targets.
• Supervise mustering teams and livestock movements with the head stockperson.
• Oversee cattle handling ensuring safety and animal welfare standards.
• Monitor welfare and management of cattle and horses, including feeding and training.
• Maintain livestock records and reporting in company systems.
• Support QA programs with livestock identification and documentation.
• Assist maintenance and capital improvement programs on station infrastructure.
• Collaborate with station leadership to implement plans and allocate resources.
• Contribute to coaching and mentoring of team members.
• Promote safe work practices and compliance with policies.

Skills

Cattle handling

Mustering

Animal husbandry

Leadership

Livestock records

Communication

Independent worker

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a talentedStation Leading Handto join our team in Goonoo. Goonoo Feedlot & Station is situated in the Central Highlands of Queensland, 65km southeast of Emerald, and is a specialised Wagyu feedlot & backgrounding operation.

Who are we:

Established in 1824, Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) is one of Australia's largest integrated cattle and beef producers and is the country's oldest continuously operating company. Today, AACo owns and operates a strategic balance of stations, feedlots and farms spanning approximately 6.5 million hectares of land across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Our people manage a large-scale Wagyu herd, producing consistently high-quality branded beef distributed to over 20 countries around the world.

We are fostering a culture that values safety, inclusion and opportunity, and are committed to integrating care for our people, animals and land into the way we do business - Reimagining Australian agriculture to share with the world - and we'd love you to join us.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Leading Hand, you will:

• Coordinate daily station activities and communicate work priorities to ensure production targets are achieved.
• Organise and supervise mustering teams, livestock movements and animal husbandry programs alongside the head stockperson.
• Oversee cattle handling practices, ensuring all activities are completed safely, efficiently and in line with animal welfare standards.
• Monitor the welfare and management of cattle and horses, including feeding, treatment, training and husbandry activities.
• Maintain accurate livestock records, stock movements and reporting requirements through company systems.
• Support Quality Assurance programs by ensuring compliance with livestock identification, treatment recording and documentation requirements.
• Support maintenance and capital improvement programs, including station infrastructure, fencing, yards, waters and equipment.
• Work closely with station leadership to implement operational plans, allocate resources and achieve business objectives.
• Contribute to performance development, coaching and mentoring of team members.
• Promote and maintain safe work practices and compliance with company policies and procedures.

Required Skills & Experience:

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Previous experience working on a cattle station, feedlot or similar livestock operation.
• Strong practical skills in cattle handling, mustering, animal husbandry and general station operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to train, coach and support others.
• Knowledge of livestock welfare standards, quality assurance requirements and livestock record keeping.
• A current driver’s licence.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Flexibility, resilience and a strong work ethic in a remote operational environment.

Benefits:

• Competitive remuneration & allowances
• Service recognition & employee discounts with preferred suppliers
• Ongoing training and development, both on-the-job and from external providers