Skills Reports
Australia’s animal care and management industry workers are continually adapting and progressing their skills to work with and support the welfare of wildlife, exhibited, working, and domestic animals. The animal care and management industry is experiencing accelerated growth, with pet ownership growing by 10% over the past two years. This is increasing both opportunities and challenges for businesses, many of which are seeking to expand operations but facing issues with attracting skilled workers, especially in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Skills Impact prepared the Animal Care Management Industry Skills Report at the request of the Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee (IRC). It provides information on industry-specific skills and priorities additional to those covered in the Agribusiness, Food and Fibre Industries Skills Report. The report may also assist in identifying industry issues requiring consideration alongside work to streamline and reform the Australian VET system, including through cross-industry collaboration.
The report underwent public consultation on the Skills Impact website from 4 July until 31 July 2022, and we appreciate all feedback received. Your input has been used to make final edits to the document, which is available to download below.
Skills Forecasts
In previous years, skills reporting has taken the form of a Skills Forecast or Annual Update, which have been submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). They propose a four year plan for reviewing and developing relevant units, skill sets and qualifications across a training package. They were created once every three years and updated annually. The Annual Updates identified any specific changes to the industry environment, and to address current priority issues.
Every year in April, the full Skills Forecast or Annual Update was submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). The AISC would then advise Commonwealth and State Industry and Skills Ministers on the implementation of national vocational education and training policies, and approve nationally recognised training packages.
The AISC would draw on this information to update their AISC National Schedule, and to determine future Training Package Projects.
Animal Care and Management Skills Forecasts Archive
2021 Annual update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast
2020 Annual Update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast
2016 – 2019 Four Year Work Plan
Please note: IRC Skills Forecasts were originally called Four Year Work Plans.
Development Process of IRC Skills Forecasts
