Shearing & Shedhand
Western Australia has a large wool industry that requires extra workers during the busy shearing and crutching seasons. Positions are available as shearers, shed hands and wool classers.Shed hands can be involved in a variety of activities such as keeping the pens full of sheep, picking up the fleece and sorting and baling the wool. Employment is available with shearing contractors and will involve traveling to various farms within their region.
Although the work is challenging and physical the opportunity for financial reward is great. Work is available during most seasons of the year, also giving the opportunity to work full-time in the industry.
Work requirements
Prior experience will be required for a shearing position unless you take on a trainee position. Although preferred, experience may not be necessary for work as a shed hand. While the work is often very physical and may require working on weekends, the work days have set work and break times. Accommodation, meals and transport is often provided.It is important to ensure you are eligible to work in Australia, and have obtained an Australian Tax File Number. Contact the Department of Immigration & Citizenship www.immi.gov.au, the Australian Taxation Office www.ato.gov.au or the Australian WorkPlace site www.workplace.gov.au for further information on working in Australia.
Training
Training for shed hand positions is typically conducted onsite although
short courses of 1-2 weeks are available regularly for those wishing to
enter the industry. Visit the WA Shearing Contractors Association website www.wasca.asn.au,
for other training opportunities.
For further information contact either the WA Primary Industry Training
Council on (08) 9359 4000, or Rural Skills Australia on (08) 9752 3665, admin@wapitc.org or
visit www.wapitc.org.
Where to find seasonal work
WA Shearing Contractors Association (The website contains a list of
all WA Shearing contractors, current job vacancies, a register for people
looking for work and information on training) www.wasca.asn.au
Job Network (To find an Australian Government Employment Service provider
in your area) 13 62 68 www.jobnetwork.gov.au
The West Australian newspaper (look under R for Rural Employment) www.thewest.com.au
The Countryman, Farm Weekly or local newspapers Visit the local Telecentre,
Shire Council or Tourist Bureau for contacts in the local industry www.telecentres.wa.gov.au
The National Harvest Labour Information Service 1800 062 332 www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail
Workabout Australia (02) 6884 7777 www.workaboutaustralia.com.au
Careerjet www.careerjet.com.au
The Job Shop (08) 9228 1457 www.thejobshop.com.au
Calendar of work
Region |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
South West/Great Southern |
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
|
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
|
Esperance |
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
|
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
|
Goldfields |
|
|
S |
S |
|
|
|
S |
S |
|
|
|
Perth/Wheatbelt |
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
|
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
|
Gascoyne/Midwest |
|
|
S |
S |
|
|
|
S |
S |
|
|
|
for W.A.