Industry Reference Committee
The Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is made up of people with experience, skills and knowledge in the animal care and management industry, covering a breadth of experience from across relevant sectors.
The IRC acts 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.
Skills Impact provides support services to a group of related IRCs so they can effectively connect and engage with industry about their skill needs. All IRCs are appointed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). Nominees operate in the best interest of the industry sector.
Next Meeting Date
25 August 2021
Past Meetings
21 April 2021 Download Communique
22 December 2020* Download Communique
15 September 2020* Download Communique
24 May 2020* Download Communique
26 March 2020* Download Communique
31 October 2019 Download Communique
16 May 2019 Download Communique
21 February 2019 Download Communique
18 September 2018* Download Communique
20 June 2018 Download Communique
25 May 2018* Download Communique
26 April 2018
19 April 2018
7 February 2018*
29 November 2017 Download Communique
6 October 2017*
6 September 2017*
16 August 2017
19 July 2017 – Induction and initial meeting
*Meeting held via teleconference.
Note: the Rural and Related Industry Reference Committee was previously responsible for overseeing the development of units of competency, skill sets and qualifications for the animal care and management sectors.
Committee Membership
Organisation Represented | Nominee | Organisation Overview |
| Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) | Dr Julia Crawford (Chair) | The professional organisation that represents veterinarians across Australia. The AVA maintains relationships with national, state and local levels of government, and provides advice on all aspects of animal health and welfare policy. The AVA also runs a number of programs that make a valuable contribution to the community, and help veterinarians to maintain a high level of patient care. |
| Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) | Rebecca Coventry (Deputy Chair) | A not-for-profit professional association which promotes the interests of Veterinary Nursing across Australia. The VNCA has active Divisions across Australia that contribute through the delivery of local education as well as liaise with clinics, RTOs and other stakeholders within their area. |
| Taronga Conservation Society Australia | Elly Neumann | Taronga Conservation Society Australia is a leader in the fields of conservation, research and environmental education. Taronga is constituted under the Zoological Parks Board Act 1973 as a statutory authority owned by the people of New South Wales and administered by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. |
Individual Industry Experts | Required Expertise | |
| Belinda Smith | Expertise in veterinary and related services Belinda is currently the Owner and Operator of Good 2 Go Equine Dentistry. | |
| Brenton Myatt | Expertise in pet and companion animal services Brenton is currently the Director of Animal Magic Holdings Pty Ltd. | |
| Dr Bonny Cumming | Expertise in veterinary and related services Bonny is currently the Program Manager – Strategic Delivery at Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC). | |
| John Sunderland | Expertise in animal breeding services John is currently the General Manager at Godolphin Woodlands. | |
| Julie Fiedler | Expertise in animal care, handling and welfare Julie is currently a contractor and consultant for the Equine Industry. | |
| Kaye Hargreaves | Expertise in pet and companion animal services Kaye is currently the Owner and Operator of Wagging School. | |
| Michael Butcher | Expertise in animal control and regulation Mike is currently the Managing Director of Animal Pest Management Services. | |
| Michelle Storey | Expertise in Animal Care, Handling and Welfare Michelle is currently National Training Manager, Emergency & Specialty Hospitals at Greencross. | |
| Natalie Stunnell | Expertise in Animal Technology Natalie is currently Manager, Biological Resources & Laboratories at Ingham Institute. | |
| Dr Robert Johnson | Expertise in captive wildlife operations Robert is Owner small zoological consulting practice, Director (past president) Australian Veterinary Association, Director Vets Beyond Borders, Member Wildlife Health Australia Management Committee. | |
| Ron Fleming | Expertise in Animal Breeding Services Ron is currently Manager of Racing Careers and Training at Racing and Wagering Western Australia. | |
| Dr Tim Mather | Expertise in Veterinary and Related Services Tim is currently a Consultant at Veterinary Advisory Services. | |
Operating Framework for IRCs
IRCs provide the industry engagement mechanism at the centre of training package development (units of competency, skill sets and qualifications). They provide a conduit for industry feedback to government on industry trends and for promotion of VET. The primary purpose of the IRC is to provide advice to the AISC about the skills needs of their industry or sector, based on their experience and expertise.
IRCs perform the following functions, with support by Skills Impact:
- Gather general intelligence for their industry sectors to inform advice on training package development and review
- Oversight the development and review of training packages in accordance with the requirements of the AISC
- Oversight 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
- Provide sign off on the work plan, business cases, cases for endorsement and other submissions for consideration by the AISC
- Report to the AISC on progress of its work
- Promote the use of VET in the sectors they represent.
Full details of the Operating Framework for Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) can be viewed here.