What career options are available in the meat processing sector?

Meat processing can be a career, not just a job.

Australia has approximately 300 abattoirs (including boning rooms) with a workforce of around 25,000. It is a predominantly young workforce with around half of all workers younger than 35.

The meat processing sector provides career opportunities in abattoirs, boning rooms and in food service operations.

Meat processing workers perform a wide range of tasks including handling livestock, slaughtering and processing livestock, environmental control, operating processing and rendering equipment.

There are three specialisations within the processing sector: slaughter, renderer, boner and slicer. With increased training you can develop skills in technical areas like meat safety inspection, quality assurance or leadership and even become a supervisor or manager.

With training and experience you could progress from a labourer to a manager.

How do I get started on my career in the meat processing?

The first step to starting a career in meat processing is to find out about job opportunities, traineeships and apprenticeships.

Below is a list of websites to help you get started.

Once you have accepted a job, your employer will organise your traineeship for you.