Career changers

It’s a career and a lifestyle!

Considering a career change? Dairy farming offers a diverse range of roles and great pathways for career progression. With around 12,000 farm businesses employing over 34,000 people on farm there is plenty of opportunity to grow your career. Come and join us!

Match my skills

Many of your existing skills may be transferable to a dairy farming role. Check out our dairy farming roles page to see what might suit you. Being motivated and willing to learn are the most important things.

Looking for a job now?

We recommend people new to dairy farming take the farm ready course first. Most jobs are advertised on Farm Source jobs. You can check out Trade Me jobs, Seek or Indeed. You can also ask around or approach a farm.

On-the-job training and qualifications

Dairy farmers continue to learn from other farmers and take courses and attend discussion groups while they work.

Courses while in work are through providers such as Primary ITO, Dairy Training, regional polytechnics and training providers. You can complete extramural study for an agricultural-related certificate, diploma, or degree.

Discuss with potential future employers what they’ll offer in terms of formal and informal (on-the-job) training, and if any extramural study will be supported.

Thomas Chatfield

Contract Milker

“I love being outside, I love working with the animals and I love the variety. I was a physiotherapist and between jobs, so I helped a friend on farm. Six years later here I still am and loving it.”

Contact us

Contact one of our careers advisers through the form below or call us direct on 0800 4 DAIRYNZ.

Thomas Chatfield

Contract Milker

“I love being outside, I love working with the animals and I love the variety. I was a physiotherapist and between jobs, so I helped a friend on farm. Six years later here I still am and loving it.”

Helpful Employee Links

Visit DairyNZ’s people section to look for a job, accommodation, job tips and know your rights.

About DairyNZ

DairyNZ is an organisation that, through research, events, services, education and policy, works with dairy farmers to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming. New Zealand dairy farmers pay DairyNZ a levy to support them.