Working as a Ringer

A ringer is a male or female stock worker on an Australian cattle station.

The head stockman is often not much older than the ringers and there are great opportunities for young people who want to pursue a career working in the cattle industry. Someone with a positive attitude who is keen about stock work is usually assured of employment, and there are numerous pastoral companies willing to train such employees.

A lot of ringers stay for only one or two years before going back to family properties, or continuing with study or careers in other fields. In the last few years we have come across numbers of international backpackers (and Aussies) spending time in a stockcamp and gaining a genuine Australian experience! A sense of excitement, and the prospect of adventure attracts many young people to work on cattle stations where there’s an opportunity for a great character building experience.

The stockcamp (the workers) usually works with the cattle from March to November in the dry season when there is little or no rainfall. The workers sometimes camp away from the homestead and stay out in the stockcamp (the place where workers are camped) for several weeks at a time, shifting camp as they muster from paddock to paddock. During each round, different paddocks are mustered, calves are branded, drafting of weaners and fats takes place, and spaying, pregnancy testing and other necessary cattle work is done.

Between rounds, there are always fencing and other maintenance jobs to be done, and quite often there’s a break from work for annual rodeos, shows and campdrafts. Most station people travel to these events (often hundreds of kilometres away) to compete, socialise and have a good time.

Work can be hard, so expect to work long hours, sweat a lot and be pushed out of your comfort zone. You will meet some incredible people and have a life changing experience.

Feature Photo by Cameillia Armstrong