Our Industries_Meat & Seafood

Our Industries - Meat and Seafood

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Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Processing/Manufacturing

Red Meat Processing
Poultry Processing
Cured Meat and Small Goods Makers
Wild Game Harvesting
Retail Butchers
Seafood Post Harvest Operations

Aquaculture and Wild Catch

Aquaculture
Wild Catch
Fisheries Compliance

Meat processing sector

Western Australia's meat processing sector is a critical link in the livestock supply chain, handling beef, sheep, and goat processing for domestic and export markets. Major facilities are in regional areas close to production zones. The sector includes slaughtering, boning, packaging, and value - adding operations, with a strong focus on hygiene, animal welfare, and export compliance. It supports thousands of jobs, including skilled trades and technical roles, and contributes significantly to WA’s agrifood exports. Key challenges include workforce shortages, rising costs, and regulatory pressures, while automation, training, and export growth drive innovation and sector resilience.

Key roles shaping Western Australia’s meat processing sector

These positions form the key pillars of WA’s meat processing industry, spanning entry level hands on roles to skilled trades and supervisory responsibilities.

Aquaculture and Wild Catch

Western Australia’s aquaculture and wild catch sector supplies high - value seafood including rock lobster, abalone, prawns, and finfish. The wild catch industry dominates in value, with the western rock lobster fishery being WA’s most valuable, sustainably managed under strict quotas. Aquaculture is expanding, focusing on barramundi, mussels, and oyster farming, especially in regional and northern coastal areas. The sector supports regional jobs, exports, and food security, with strong biosecurity and environmental controls. Challenges include climate change, ocean health, and market volatility, while innovation, sustainable practices, and Indigenous - led initiatives are driving future growth and diversification.

Key roles shaping Western Australia’s Aquaculture & Wild Catch sectors

These roles represent the core of WA’s aquatic resource workforce - from boots on the ground operations to technical and regulatory oversight.

Workforce Demographics and Key Factors influencing the workforce

Meat Processing

In WA, approximately 4,300 people are directly employed in meat processing roles, out of about 7,700 in livestock production overall
Around 13% of the workforce is on visas (e.g., via PALM scheme), with working holidaymakers comprising just over 1%
The workforce is generally characterized by high turnover, with many workers engaged in task - based roles and shorter - term employment rather than trade - based careers
There is a notable skills shift: workers now perform single, specialized tasks along processing lines rather than dressing whole carcasses, and training is predominantly on - the - job induction and short modules (Cert II–III)
Processors report needing on average 26 extra workers per business; low local interest, difficulty passing medicals, and competition from other industries are key causes
High compliance standards (e.g., almost all cattle processed under the AAWCS) support WA’s reputation for clean, traceable meat products in premium export markets
A shift toward value - added cuts and frozen primals has increased average value - added per worker, even though slaughter numbers per worker have declined
Initiatives like updated training packages (AMP v8.1) and facility upgrades—such as Bibra Lake’s packaging expansion creating 80 jobs—aim to boost capacity and skills

Aquaculture and Seafood Processing

WA’s aquaculture and wild - catch sector employs a modest workforce consistent with its small scale. The workforce is skewed toward fisheries operations
The sector includes fishers, hatchery technicians, shellfish growers, marine scientists, processing staff, and support services (e.g., feed/equipment manufacturing.
Career pathways are limited and often not well - defined, with career entry often through on - the - job experience rather than formal training

Employment is mainly in coastal and regional zones linked to wild - catch fisheries and emerging aquaculture hubs, such as the Kimberley, Mid - West, Albany, and Broome aquaculture parks
WA’s aquaculture is small by global standards but expanding wild catch continues to dominate. Aquaculture growth has been rapid.
The establishment of Aquaculture Development Zones (ADZs) in Kimberley and Mid - West is backed by WA Government investment, facilitating new marine finfish production and regional job creation
The sector is expected to undergo digital transformation; up to 41% of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry jobs may shift through automation and smart systems, increasing demand for data literacy and tech - savvy workers
Aquaculture growth is tightly regulated, with strong emphasis on environmental approvals, species health monitoring, and shellfish quality programs to maintain WA’s reputation for sustainability.

Training Package

AMP Australian Meat Processing Training Package

SFI Seafood Industry

Declared Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Meat Processing Food Services (Level 2) - AMP20117 Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services)
Meat Processing Abattoirs (Level 2) - AMP20316 Certificate II in Meat Processing (Abattoirs)
Meat Processing Boning (Level 3) - AMP30116 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Boning Room)
Meat Processing Food Services (Level 3) - AMP30216 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services)
Meat Inspector - AMP30322 Certificate III in Meat Safety Inspection
Meat Processing Slaughtering (Level 3) - AMP30516 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Slaughtering)
Meat Processing General (Level 3) - AMP30622 Certificate III in Meat Processing
Meat Processing (Quality Assurance) - AMP30622 Certificate III in Meat Processing
General Butcher- AMP30815 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
Meat Processing Smallgoods (Level 3) - AMP30916 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Smallgoods - General)
Meat Processing Smallgoods Manufacture (Level 3) - AMP31016 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Smallgoods - Manufacture)
Meat Processing (Livestock Handling) - AMP31116 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Livestock Handling)
Meat Processing (Packing Operations) - AMP31216 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Packing Operations)
Meat Processing Leadership (Level 4) - AMP40222 Certificate IV in Meat Processing
Meat Processing Quality Assurance (Level 4) - AMP40222 Certificate IV in Meat Processing
Meat Inspector/Quality Assurance Officer - AMP40522 Certificate IV in Meat Safety Inspection
Production Manager (Meat Processing) - AMP50221 - Diploma of Meat Processing

Seafood (Aquaculture) (Level 2) - SFI20119 Certificate II in Aquaculture
Seafood (Fishing Operations) (Level 2) - SFI20219 Certificate II in Fishing Operations
Seafood (Aquaculture) (Level 3) - SFI30119 Certificate III in Aquaculture
Seafood (Fishing Operations) (Level 3) - SFI30219 Certificate III in Fishing Operations
Seafood (Aquaculture) (Level 4) - SFI40119 Certificate IV in Aquaculture