Group
Unit Group

3633 Shearers and Wool Classers

This is not the latest release View the latest release
ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations
Reference period
2021
Released
23/11/2021

3633 Shearers and Wool Classers

Shearers and Wool Classers remove and classify wool and hair from sheep, goats, alpacas and other animals.

Indicative Skill Level:

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.

Tasks Include:

  • 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

Occupations:

  • 363311 Shearer
  • 363312 Wool Classer

363311 Shearer

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

Skill Level: 3

363312 Wool Classer

Classifies wool to industry standards or market requirements.

Skill Level:

  • 3 Australia
  • 2 New Zealand
Back to top of the page