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
- • Feed, water, and monitor all animals per established
care plans
- • Maintain clean, safe enclosures, stables, and
paddocks
- • Observe and report illness, injury, or behavioural
changes
- • Handle, groom, and prepare horses for therapeutic
activities
- • Manage pasture rotation, hay storage, and feed
supplies
- • Administer basic first aid; assist with veterinary
visits
Facility,
Grounds & Program Support
- • Maintain fencing, gates, troughs, and farm
infrastructure
- • Keep common areas clean and safe for participants and
staff
- • Prepare animals for participant interactions under
clinical guidance
- • Support therapy assistants during animal-assisted
activities
- • Follow all WHS policies; report hazards and
incidents; use PPE
Inherent Physical Requirements
This
role has significant physical demands that cannot be modified:
- • Sustained manual labour: shovelling, raking,
carrying, pushing/pulling
- • Lift and carry up to 20 kg regularly (hay bales, feed
bags, buckets)
- • Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching at
all levels
- • Stand/walk on uneven terrain for extended periods in
all weather
- • Safely handle and restrain large animals including
horses
- • Climb fences; access areas without level or sealed
surfaces
Pre-employment fitness screening may be required.
Selection Criteria
Essential
- • Sound knowledge of animal health, nutrition, and
welfare
- • Physical fitness to meet the inherent requirements
described
- • Reliable, self-motivated; works independently and in
a team
- • Current WWCC and NDIS Worker Screening Check (or
willingness to obtain)
- • Current driver’s licence
Desirable
- • Demonstrated experience in animal husbandry or farm
animal care
- • Confidence and competence handling horses (leading,
grooming, ground work)
- • Cert III in Animal Studies, Equine Studies,
Agriculture, or related
- • Experience with horses in therapeutic, educational,
or equestrian settings
- • Experience in or alongside disability / NDIS-funded
services
- • Understanding of trauma-informed practice
- • 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.
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.
