How to become a Jackaroo

Jackaroos (male workers) and jillaroos (female workers) undertake a range of activities on cattle and sheep stations.

Personal requirements for a Jackaroo

  • Enjoy working outdoors
  • Able to deal confidently with people
  • Good communication and organisation skills
  • Able to make accurate observations
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Able to cope with the physical demands of the job, undertaking manual and often heavy work
  • Able to endure isolation and limited social contact
  • Interested in animals and their welfare
  • Able to handle animals with confidence and patience.

Duties & Tasks of a Jackaroo

Jackaroos and jillaroos may perform the following tasks:

  • Care for livestock and treat minor injuries and illness
  • Muster on horseback or motorbike
  • Maintain station equipment and inspect, repair or replace fences, gates and yards
  • Use and maintain vehicles and heavy machinery
  • Undertake farming work such as cultivation and haymaking
  • Assist with light household duties
  • Undertake clerical and administrative tasks.

Working conditions for a Jackaroo

Jackaroos and jillaroos spend most of their time working outdoors. They may live in shared accommodation on the property or occasionally in the house of the owner or manager.


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