The milk harvesting industry has changed a lot in the past 50 years or so, it was not so long ago that farmers were hand milking. Today, most farmers are using milk harvesting machines, operating in herringbone and rotary sheds, with a smaller number of robotic sheds emerging. The uptake of new robotic and automated milking technology is expected to increase in the coming years as the technology becomes more accessible and affordable.

Milk harvesting techniques are a unique set of skills, integral to the collection and production of Australian dairy and milk products. It is important to update the national units of competency to support the next generation of farmers.

The review of skills standards for dairy and milk harvesting was identified as a key skill priority in the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2019-2022 (see page 3).

The Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project, out of the 2020 Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast (see pages 63-67).

The Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will oversee this project as part of their responsibility to support engagement with the sector, and to ensure the project meets industry stakeholder needs.

Skills Impact will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.

Download Project Proposal (see pages 63-67)

Australia’s dairy and milk industry directly employed around 46,200 people and generated $4.4 billion in farm gate value in 2018-19 [source]. Farms range in size from small niche herds of goats, camel, buffalo and sheep, through to large dairy businesses with more than 3,000 cattle. The future is interesting, with developments in robotic technology and automatic milking systems. Innovations in the industry have seen farmers progress from manual milking methods, to adopting machinery in herringbone and rotary sheds, through to these new robotic technologies. There will be a need for a wider range of skills in this industry with the introduction of new technologies. At the same time, traditional work practices remain valuable in various farm settings. This project will look at the skills and knowledge required to operate the vast array of technologies, across dairy harvesting operations of various sizes and contexts.

Relevant Occupations

• Dairy Farm Worker
• Dairy Farm Manager
• Dairy Farm Owner
• Share Milker

Industry Sectors

• Milking cows
• Milking sheep
• Milking goats
• Milking buffalo
• Milking camels

Timeline

September/October 2020
Initial scoping

November/December 2020
Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units

January/February 2021
Drafts available for broad consultation

March/April 2021
Validation of final drafts

June 2021
Finalisation of Training Package components

July/August 2021
Independent Quality Assurance, and Edit and Equity review of Training Package components

September 2021
IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement

Innovations in the industry have seen farmers progress from manual milking methods, to adopting machinery in herringbone and rotary sheds, through to new robotic technology and automatic milking systems. There will be a need for a wider range of skills in this industry with the introduction of new technologies. At the same time, traditional work practices remain valuable in various farm settings and some businesses have identified ways to add value to their milk harvesting operations, producing milk products onsite. Whether these producers are using traditional hand milking methods or machinery, skills and knowledge are required in biosecurity and animal welfare. A relaxed animal, correct cooling and storage of milk and plant hygiene practices contribute to greater quality and quantities of milk. This project is looking at the skills and knowledge required to operate the vast array of technologies, across dairy harvesting operations of various sizes and contexts.

Consultation with subject matter experts is underway to help revise and draft the units of competency for this sector. These industry experts are being consulted on current job roles and activities to help inform the revised drafts. Technology in this industry is developing rapidly and the use of precision dairy technologies has been increasing over the past two decades. The industry experts are identifying areas where the skills standards need to be updated to reflect new skills. They are also identifying skills gaps, such as the the potential to develop units of competency to support the job role of technicians who repair robotic milking machines.

Development outcomes and next steps

Broad stakeholder consultation is scheduled to commence in January 2021, when draft units will be made available for feedback on this webpage. Your input is welcome, please feel free to register your interest to keep informed of project updates and when draft materials are available for feedback by following the newsletter subscription link below.

Australia’s dairy and milk industry has developed from manual milking methods, to using machinery in herringbone and rotary sheds, to more recently introducing new robotic technology and automatic milking systems. These new technologies and evolving methods are broadening the range of skills needed in the industry. At the same time, traditional work practices are still preferred in certain farm settings, with some of these businesses adding value to their milk harvesting operations by producing milk products onsite. Some foundational skills, such as those to support biosecurity and animal welfare, remain important regardless of milking methods. A relaxed animal, correct cooling and storage of milk and plant hygiene practices contribute to greater quality and quantities of milk.

Consultation will take place throughout this project to review and update a national qualification, skill sets and units of competency for dairy and milk harvesting. They will be revised to reflect the skills and knowledge required to operate the vast array of technologies across milk harvesting operations of various sizes and contexts.