Committee Membership
The Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has responsibility for overseeing the development of industry units of competency, skill sets and qualifications relative to the following sectors:
- Veterinary and related services
- Animal care, handling and welfare
- Animal breeding services
- Pet and companion animal services
- Captive Wildlife Operations
- Animal Technology
- Animal Control and Regulation
All IRCs are appointed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). Skills Impact provides support services to a group of related IRCs so they can effectively connect and engage with industry about their skill needs. For further information about this IRC please contact us.
The IRC is made up of people with experience, skills and knowledge in the animal care and management industry. Nominees operate in the best interest of the industry sector.
Organisation Represented | Nominee | Organisation Overview |
| Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) | Dr Julia Crawford (Deputy 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 | 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 Zoo | Elly Neumann | Expertise in captive wildlife operations. |
Individual Industry Experts | Required Expertise | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 the Executive Officer of Horse SA. | |
| Kaye Hargreaves | Expertise in pet and companion animal services Kaye is currently the Owner and Operator of Wagging School. | |
| Dr Laurie Milner (Chair) | Expertise in animal care, handling and welfare Laurie is currently the Animal Welfare Officer at Charles Sturt University. | |
| Mark Cumming | Expertise in veterinary and related services Mark is currently a Farrier with the Victorian Master Farriers Association. | |
| Mike Butcher | Expertise in animal control and regulation Mike is currently the Managing Director of Animal Pest Management Services. | |
| Sonia Western | Expertise in veterinary and related services Sonia is currently a Trainer and Assessor at the Australian College of Applied Animal Studies. | |
| Dr Tim Mather | Expertise in animal technology 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.