Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 9:58 PM AWST
23/07/2026 9:58 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Shear sheep to improver level
Shear sheep to improver level
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCSHG204A
AHCSHG204A
State Code
D7214
D7214
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/12/2011
Field of Education
050103 - Wool Science
Original Release Date
06/12/2011
Nominal Hours
150
Description
This unit covers the process of selecting, handling and shearing of sheep to improver level and defines the standard required to: set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions; operate shearing equipment safely; maintain position and control of the sheep while minimising stress on the shearer; avoid damage to sheep as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece; handle and shear 70 to 80 sheep per day using industry accepted methods and procedures; recognise problem and diseased sheep and report accordingly.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for shearing
- 1.1. Shearing equipment is checked for correct operation prior to shearing session.
- 1.2. Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified, and reported to the supervisor.
- 1.3. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained in line with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and workplace procedures.
2. Perform shearing operations
- 2.1. Sheep to be shorn are identified, caught and moved in line with organisational, OHS, industry and animal welfare standards.
- 2.2. Sheep are positioned for shearing using identified positions in line with industry standards.
- 2.3. Handpiece is activated and positioned in readiness for shearing operations.
- 2.4. Sheep are shorn using identified method and positions in line with industry standards.
- 2.5. Shearing methods ensure that injuries and damage to the sheep and fleece is avoided in meeting volume expectations.
- 2.6. Safe and humane handling techniques are used at all times according to OHS and animal welfare requirements.
3. Respond to complications
- 3.1. Contamination is identified during shearing operations and reported to wool handlers in line with enterprise requirements.
- 3.2. Sheep cuts are sutured in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
- 3.3. Flyblown sheep are identified and reported in line with industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
- 3.4. Problem sheep are identified and reported in line with industry and enterprise requirements.
4. Complete shearing operation
- 4.1. Wool is placed to avoid contamination and for wool handlers to collect in line with enterprise and industry requirements.
- 4.2. Handpiece is set to non-operational position and stored in line with manufacturer's specifications and enterprise requirements.
- 4.3. Sheep are safely released from the board into the count-out pens.
- 4.4. Shearing grievances and difficulties are reported in line with enterprise requirements.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
all types of woollen sheep as well as all ages and genders of sheep, including rams, ewes, wethers, lambs, hoggets, and stags.
Shearing rate may include:
a rate that must be equivalent to the minimum rate of pay as set down by the industry award - between 70 and 80 sheep per day.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
all types of woollen sheep as well as all ages and genders of sheep, including rams, ewes, wethers, lambs, hoggets, and stags.
Shearing rate may include:
a rate that must be equivalent to the minimum rate of pay as set down by the industry award - between 70 and 80 sheep per day.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions
operate shearing equipment safely
maintain position and control of the sheep while minimising stress on the shearer
avoid damage to sheep as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece
handle and shear 70 to 80 sheep per day using industry accepted methods and procedures
recognise problem and diseased sheep and report accordingly.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions
operate shearing equipment safely
maintain position and control of the sheep while minimising stress on the shearer
avoid damage to sheep as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece
handle and shear 70 to 80 sheep per day using industry accepted methods and procedures
recognise problem and diseased sheep and report accordingly.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3926 | RTE2149A | Shear sheep to improver level | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAO63 | AHCSHG204 | Shear sheep to improver level | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D451 | AHC20110 | Certificate II in Agriculture | Qualification |
| D495 | AHC32910 | Certificate III in Shearing | Qualification |
| D463 | AHC21310 | Certificate II in Shearing | Qualification |