Position
Animal Attendant
Location
Tomago, NSW (Newcastle /
Hunter Region)
Type
Part-time / Casual
Award
SCHADS Award — Level 1
Reports
To
Practice Principal / Site
Manager
Hours
Weekdays & weekends as
rostered. Penalty rates apply.
About The Stable Place
A
nature-based therapeutic service on a working hobby farm supporting NDIS
participants and mental health consumers. We provide psychology, behaviour
support, and social/community participation programs alongside our resident
horses, goats, and farm animals.
About the Role
Responsible
for daily care, welfare, and management of all on-site animals — horses,
goats, poultry, and other farm animals. Hands-on and physical, requiring
confidence and experience around animals, particularly horses. You’ll work
alongside clinical teams to keep animals healthy, well-handled, and safe for
therapeutic programs.
Key Responsibilities
Animal
Care & Welfare
- •ÌýÌýÌý Feed, water, and monitor all animals per established
care plans
- •ÌýÌýÌý Maintain clean, safe enclosures, stables, and
paddocks
- •ÌýÌýÌý Observe and report illness, injury, or behavioural
changes
- •ÌýÌýÌý Handle, groom, and prepare horses for therapeutic
activities
- •ÌýÌýÌý Manage pasture rotation, hay storage, and feed
supplies
- •ÌýÌýÌý Administer basic first aid; assist with veterinary
visits
Facility,
Grounds & Program Support
- •ÌýÌýÌý Maintain fencing, gates, troughs, and farm
infrastructure
- •ÌýÌýÌý Keep common areas clean and safe for participants and
staff
- •ÌýÌýÌý Prepare animals for participant interactions under
clinical guidance
- •ÌýÌýÌý Support therapy assistants during animal-assisted
activities
- •ÌýÌýÌý Follow all WHS policies; report hazards and
incidents; use PPE
Inherent Physical Requirements
This
role has significant physical demands that cannot be modified:
- •ÌýÌýÌý Sustained manual labour: shovelling, raking,
carrying, pushing/pulling
- •ÌýÌýÌý Lift and carry up to 20 kg regularly (hay bales, feed
bags, buckets)
- •ÌýÌýÌý Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching at
all levels
- •ÌýÌýÌý Stand/walk on uneven terrain for extended periods in
all weather
- •ÌýÌýÌý Safely handle and restrain large animals including
horses
- •ÌýÌýÌý Climb fences; access areas without level or sealed
surfaces
Pre-employment fitness screening may be required.
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Selection Criteria
Essential
- •ÌýÌýÌý Sound knowledge of animal health, nutrition, and
welfare
- •ÌýÌýÌý Physical fitness to meet the inherent requirements
described
- •ÌýÌýÌý Reliable, self-motivated; works independently and in
a team
- •ÌýÌýÌý Current WWCC and NDIS Worker Screening Check (or
willingness to obtain)
- •ÌýÌýÌý Current driver’s licence
Desirable
- •ÌýÌýÌý Demonstrated experience in animal husbandry or farm
animal care
- •ÌýÌýÌý Confidence and competence handling horses (leading,
grooming, ground work)
- •ÌýÌýÌý Cert III in Animal Studies, Equine Studies,
Agriculture, or related
- •ÌýÌýÌý Experience with horses in therapeutic, educational,
or equestrian settings
- •ÌýÌýÌý Experience in or alongside disability / NDIS-funded
services
- •ÌýÌýÌý Understanding of trauma-informed practice
- •ÌýÌýÌý Current First Aid and CPR (or willingness to obtain)
Remuneration
SCHADS
Award Level 1 (effective 1 July 2025):
Rate Type
Per Hour
Base rate (permanent)
$24.10
Casual rate (incl. 25%
loading)
$30.13
Saturday penalty (1.5x)
$36.15
Sunday penalty (1.75x)
$42.18
Public Holiday penalty
(2.5x)
$60.25
Evening 8pm–12am (1.15x)
$27.72
Super paid at current legislated rate in addition. Rates subject to
annual Fair Work review.
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How to Apply
Submit
your resume and a brief cover letter addressing the selection criteria to:
admin@stableplace.com.au
For
enquiries, visit www.stableplace.com.au
The Stable Place is committed to diversity and
inclusion. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples, people with disability, and people from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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