As part of the projects listed below, draft skills standards have been developed to define the skills required for entry level roles, high-level roles and remote operations. Click the links below for more information and to have your say.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on a key training package project proposed for 2021 – 2024 and specific changes to the industry environment that were identified in this year’s Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (Skills Forecast). Australia’s reputation for producing high quality meat has been built by a skilled and trained meat processing workforce. This year’s Annual Update includes information about employers’ use of training packages and qualifications, barriers to hiring apprentices and trainees, and reasons behind non-completion rates. … Read More

Your feedback has been used to inform further updates to the draft skills standards being developed as part of the below projects. The final drafts are now available for validation and final checks to make sure they are logical and factual.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (Skills Forecast), including training package projects that have been proposed for 2021-22 and descriptions of changes in the industry environment. The importance of a skilled animal care and management industry was highlighted by the 2019-2020 bushfires and COVID-19. The industry was recognised as an essential service, with important animal welfare issues needing to be addressed throughout the crisis. This year’s Annual … Read More

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has extended the transition period for the qualifications recently updated as part of the Pet Care and Animal Training Project, due to the high level of changes to these qualifications. This means, registered training organisations (RTOs) delivering the following qualifications to current learners now have until 12 April 2023 to transition to the updated version: ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies ACM30417 Certificate III in Companion Animal Services ACM30617 Certificate III in … Read More

There are many and varied career paths in the horse care sector, with each playing an important role in promoting and maintaining the welfare of horses. Your feedback on draft qualifications and skills standards for the horse care industry has indicated the need to make further changes to some of the drafts and to develop new units and a skill set. These documents are now available for your review and comment. Your feedback will inform further work on the final drafts, which will … Read More

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is inviting your feedback on the statistical classification of job roles for the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. The Department is working with the Australian Bureau of Statistics to review the way these job roles are defined in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). Your input to this project is important as it may contribute to the development of a new version of ANZSCO which better describes the … Read More

Innovation in seed production and processing is being driven by increasing global demand for food and fibre, and produce crops that are drought resistant, higher yielding, and more nutritious. The qualifications and skills standards for broadacre cropping, pastures and seeds are being reviewed and updated to reflect the latest technology, processes and terminology. As a result of feedback collected on the draft documents, a single unit AHCSPO3XX Process planting seed is now available for review and comment. Feedback collected between 2 February – 21 March 2021 included … Read More

The qualifications and skills standards for landscape professionals are being reviewed and updated, to equip future learners with the skills they need to design, construct and maintain the gardens and green spaces in our public spaces and backyards. As a result of your feedback on draft skills standard for landscaping, additional units and a skill set are now available for review and comment.  Feedback on the initial draft documents, indicated the need to develop additional skills standards for work in … Read More

‘The customer is always right’ is a motto that Australia’s food and beverage sector has taken to heart. Over the past decade, industry has been busy developing innovations in traceability, allergen control, and new products, in response to consumer interest in the origins, packaging, and contents of food. As increased automation and updated processes are introduced, industry has been building on its arsenal of skills, meaning the kinds of expertise required to perform job roles have shifted. Over the past … Read More

Job roles and products in the pulp and paper manufacturing sector have evolved over the past ten years, driven by developments in science, technology and consumer preferences. The COVID-19 pandemic, which saw record demand for products such as toilet paper, tissues, medical, sanitary and packaging products, has reinforced the need for a skilled workforce in this sector. Draft qualifications, skill sets and units have been developed with the help of industry volunteers, so that they reflect these developments. They are available for your … Read More

The pulp and paper manufacturing industry produces many essential paper products that are used every day by people around Australia. The importance of these items and the skills for manufacturing them was highlighted during COVID-19 which saw increased consumer demand for products like toilet paper, tissues, paper-based medical equipment and hygiene products. We are seeking your feedback on information outlined in the Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (Skills Forecast). This year’s Annual Update identifies specific changes to … Read More