Latest release
Unit Group

3433 Shearers and Wool Classers

OSCA - Occupation Standard Classification for Australia
Reference period
2024, Version 1.0

3433 Shearers and Wool Classers

Remove and classify wool and hair from sheep, goats, alpacas and other animals.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
Occupation

343331 Shearer

Removes wool and hair from sheep, goats, alpacas and other animals.

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Selects and prepares shearing equipment
  • Catches and positions animals for shearing
  • Shears and removes wool and hair from animals
  • Identifies contaminated fibre and injured, infected and diseased animals
  • Treats skin cuts on shorn animals
  • Returns shorn animals to let-out pens for counting and checking
  • May service, maintain and repair shearing equipment
  • May shear stud animals with hand shears or special combs
Occupation

343332 Wool Classer

Classifies wool to industry standards or market requirements.

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Inspects fleece to determine its type according to physical characteristics such as staple length and strength, fibre diameter and colour
  • Classes wool into lines to meet processors' requirements and to optimise growers' returns
  • Manages wool handling teams
  • Instructs Wool Handlers and supervises the picking up, skirting, rolling and pressing of fleeces
  • Records wool characteristics and the details of pressed wool bales, and prepares wool clip documentation