Livestock Handler & Stockperson Job Description (Australia)
Livestock Handlers and Stockpersons care for, move, monitor and manage animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and other farm livestock. Duties include feeding, watering, yard work, drafting and mustering, animal health checks, administering medications under supervision, maintaining fencing and equipment, assisting with loading/unloading livestock, preparing animals for sale, and supporting farm or station operations. The role requires physical outdoor work, animal-handling skills, basic tools, PPE, and ongoing training in livestock welfare and farm operations.
Typical Tax Deductions Include:
- Professional memberships – Livestock, agricultural or animal handling associations
- Training, CPD & courses – Animal welfare, low-stress handling, livestock assessment and safety training
- Laptop/desktop (> $300 depreciated) – Used for reporting, livestock records or animal data (must depreciate and apportion private use)
- Small tools – Knives, pliers, fencing tools and gloves if not supplied by the employer
- Reference materials – Livestock handling guides, breed manuals and animal health resources
- Software – Livestock management apps and record-keeping tools (work-use portion only)
- Home-office running expenses (approved method) – Reporting, training or updating animal records from home
- Work-related travel – Travel between farm sites, saleyards, suppliers or training venues (non-reimbursed travel only)
- Stationery & planning materials – Livestock logs, feed sheets and treatment records
- Professional insurance – Deductible for contractors (public liability or relevant cover)
- Marketing & website costs – For independent livestock contractors
- Tax agent & bookkeeping fees – Deductible
Non-Deductible Expenses Include:
- Work boots, hats, jeans and everyday clothing – Considered private
- Tools or PPE provided by the employer – Not deductible
- Feed or supplies used for personal animals – Private
- Home-office occupancy costs – Rent, mortgage interest and council rates are not deductible unless strict eligibility rules are met
- Travel: home ↔ regular farm or depot – Private
- Courses not directly related to livestock handling duties – Not deductible
- Equipment used partly for personal farm or hobby animals – Must apportion or exclude private use
- 100% claims for laptop, phone or internet – Must apportion private use
Click here to see Tax Calculator for Livestock handler / stockperson.
