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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Recognise and correct faults in shearing technique
   • Analyse shearing technique
   • Recognise and correct faults in sheep position, footwork and free hand use
   • Recognise and correct faults in the number of blows and their placement
   • Improve co-ordination of footwork, free hand use, sheep control and blow placement
2. Apply techniques to increase shearing speed and accuracy
   • Increase speed at which the handpiece is pushed forward and returned between blow placements
   • Improve the power, direction and manoeuvrability applied at the increased speed
   • Improve rhythm at the increased speed
   • Maintain calm and consistent temperament whilst shearing
   • Recognise the importance of stamina and fitness in improvement of output consistency
3. Shear required number of sheep in an eight hour day working day to quality standard of the industry for both sheep and wool
   • Demonstrate safety procedures during shearing in relation to people and sheep
   • Avoid excessive wool contamination and damage to the wool
   • Shear 120 adult merino sheep or equivalent using identified method and positions in a normal eight-hour working day
   • Use correct movement of feet and hands, and maintain correct positioning to the downtube
   • Release sheep at increased speed
   • Comply with work health and safety and animal welfare requirements
   • Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must be observed shearing a minimum of 120 adult merino sheep or 140 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify hazards and work safely

avoid contamination, second cuts and injury to animals

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer

analyse and increase on improver shearer level

shear with the industry accepted pattern

use appropriate suturing for cuts to sheep

catch and release sheep safely

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

apply enterprise workplace health and safety policies in the context of own work

apply enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work

apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

shearing machinery required and their relative functions

industry agreed shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing

safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep

the impacts of sheep behaviour on moving and handling sheep and shearing sheep

Federal and/or State shearing awards and agreements associated with shearing sheep

enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role

work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role

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