Industry Overview

Australian meat is highly regarded in global and local markets for being top quality, wholesome and safe. The success of the industry in these markets sees it making a critical contribution to the Australian economy, bringing in more than $50 billion in revenue each year. Seventy percent of all meat processed in Australia is destined for a growing export market with comprehensive region-specific processing and product standards. Domestic consumer demand and tastes and global markets have a strong impact on driving the meat industry, promoting new innovations, increased automation, and use of big data. The skilled meat processing workforce is responsible for making sure Australian meat products live up to their strong reputation, operating to the most up to date standards in food safety, quality control, animal welfare, and compliance requirements.

Between 2016 and 2022 Industry Reference Committee (IRCs) were the formal channel for considering industry skills requirements in the development and review of training packages. In 2023, Jobs and Skills Councils will be established to support a greater voice to industry in its skills and training needs.

The Meat Industry Reference Committee (IRC) covered the following sectors:

  • Meat processing (abattoirs)
  • Poultry processing
  • Small-goods manufacturing
  • Wild game harvesting
  • Meat wholesaling and retailing

Download the 2021-22 Year in Review for the Meat Processing IndustryAMP stats

Want to know more about the work to improve skills standards for this industry?

Industry trends, challenges and opportunities were gathered through consultation with industry stakeholders and research to determine the skills industry will need in the future. They were documented in Skills Forecasts, which the Australian Industry and Skills Committee considered to determine future training package (skills standards) projects. Each project was overseen by the relevant Industry Reference Committee (IRC) and managed by Skills Impact. Click on the menu to the left for more information about the IRC, projects undertaken, Skills Forecasts, as well as units, skill sets and qualifications within the Training Package.

 

Statistics sourced: IBISWorld Industry Wizard, 2020 and IBISWorld, 2020, Australia Industry (ANZSIC) Report C1111: Meat Processing in Australia