• Industry Overview

    • Industry Reference Committee

    The Industry Reference Committee (IRC) was made up of people with experience, skills and knowledge in the agriculture and production horticulture industry, covering a breadth of experience from across relevant sectors.

    The IRC acted as a conduit for industry to provide feedback to government about industry trends and skills needs, and has responsibility for overseeing the development of units of competency, skill sets and qualifications for the industry it services.

    Throughout the duration of its role as a Skills Service Organisation, Skills Impact provided support services to a group of related IRCs so they could effectively connect and engage with industry about their skill needs. All IRCs were appointed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). Nominees operated in the best interest of the industry sector.

     

    Meeting Communiques

    13 September 2022* Download Communique

    23 June 2022* Download Communique

    19 January 2022* Download Communique

    24 August 2021* Download Communique

    18 May 2021* Download Communique

    9 December 2020* Download Communique

    23 April 2020*  Download Communique

    16 October 2019 Download Communique

    11 April 2019 Download Communique

    26 July 2018  Download Communique

    19 April 2018   Download Communique

    7 February 2018

    14 November 2017  Download Communique

    21 September 2017

    18 September 2017

    26 June 2017

    6 April 2017*

    21 December 2016*

    1 December 2016*

    12 November 2016

    10 November 2016

    21 July 2016

    14 April 2016

     

    *Meeting held via teleconference.

     

    Committee Membership

    Organisation Represented
    Nominee
    Organisation Overview
    Australian Jockeys AssociationKevin RingThe national peak body that represent the interests of all jockeys in Australia.
    Australian Trainers AssociationWayne LeeA national organisation, recognised as the principal representative of Horse Trainers’ in Australia.
    Australian Workers UnionCameron WrightThe nation’s oldest and largest blue-collar trade union representing over 100,000 working men and women and their families.
    Greyhounds AustralasiaVacantComprising representatives from jurisdictional controlling bodies in Australian states and territories, and New Zealand, the charter of Greyhounds Australasia (GA) is to support these jurisdictions via encouragement of a national approach to the Australasian greyhound racing industry.
    Greyhound Racing NSWCecelia HuynhGreyhound Racing NSW is a body corporate charged with providing strategic direction and leadership in the development, integrity and welfare of greyhound racing in NSW.
    Harness Racing AustraliaKathleen MullanThe forum and co-ordination point between the State Controlling Bodies for uniformity of rules and reciprocity of horsemen’s licences, registration of horses and suspensions and disqualifications.
    Harness Racing NSWShaun SnuddenHarness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) conducts the commercial and regulatory functions of the harness racing industry in NSW. Operating under the Harness Racing Act 2009, HRNSW is chartered to operate autonomously of government in managing the strategic and commercial development of harness racing in NSW as a not-for-profit corporate body.
    Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA)Ron Fleming (Deputy Chair)RWWA’s charter under the Racing and Wagering Western Australia Act 2003 is to foster development, promote the welfare and ensure the integrity of metropolitan and country Thoroughbred, Harness and Greyhound racing in the interests of the long-term viability of the racing industry in Western Australia.
    Racing AustraliaGeoff Bloom (Chair)The national industry body representing Thoroughbred racing in Australia.
    Racing NSWStuart RichRacing NSW, established under the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996, is the regulating body for thoroughbred racing in NSW.
    Racing QueenslandVacant positionThe Racing Queensland Board trading as Racing Queensland provides a platform to service the racing industry across the 3 codes of racing.
    Racing VictoriaLisa HockingA public company providing independent governance of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry.
    Racing SABriony MooreThe controlling body for horseracing in South Australia. Racing SA represents, promotes and supports the state’s thoroughbred racing industry.
    Individual Industry Experts
    Required Expertise
    John SunderlandExpertise in animal welfare and breeding
    Dr Ruth TaylorExpertise in animal welfare and breeding

     

     

    Operating Framework for IRCs

    IRCs provided the industry engagement mechanism at the centre of training package development (units of competency, skill sets and qualifications). They provided a conduit for industry feedback to government on industry trends and for promotion of VET. The primary purpose of the IRC was to provide advice to the AISC about the skills needs of their industry or sector, based on their experience and expertise.

    IRCs performed the following functions, with support by Skills Impact:

    • Gathered general intelligence for their industry sectors to inform advice on training package development and review
    • Oversaw the development and review of training packages in accordance with the requirements of the AISC
    • Oversaw the development of the IRC work plan by the SSO, advising who should be included in the consultation and the type of information to include
    • Provided sign off on the work plan, business cases, cases for endorsement and other submissions for consideration by the AISC
    • Reported to the AISC on progress of its work
    • Promoted the use of VET in the sectors they represent.

    Full details of the Operating Framework for Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) can be viewed here.