3633 Shearers and Wool Classers

The occupation Shearer has a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

• AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand:

• NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

The occupation Wool Classer has a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

• AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand:

• NZQF Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

• selecting and preparing shearing equipment
• catching and positioning animals for shearing
• shearing and removing wool and hair from animals
• identifying contaminated fibre and injured, infected and diseased animals
• treating skin cuts
• returning shorn animals to let-out pens for counting and checking
• inspecting fleece to determine its type according to physical characteristics (staple length and strength, fibre diameter, colour)
• classing wool into lines to meet processors’ requirements and to optimise growers’ returns
• managing wool handling teams
• instructing wool handlers and supervising the picking up, skirting, rolling and pressing of fleeces
• may service, maintain and repair shearing equipment
• may shear stud animals with hand shears or special combs

• 363311 Shearer
• 363312 Wool Classer

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

Skill Level: 3

Classifies wool to industry standards or market requirements.

Skill Level:

• 3 Australia
• 2 New Zealand