Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:58 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:58 AM 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 professional level
Shear sheep to professional level
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCSHG304A
AHCSHG304A
State Code
D7223
D7223
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/12/2011
Field of Education
050103 - Wool Science
Original Release Date
13/12/2011
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the process of selecting, handling and shearing sheep to professional level of 100-120 or more sheep per day, and defines the standard required to: select, use and maintain shearing equipment; avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool and sheep; recognise problem and diseased sheep and apply treatments accordingly; shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer; analyse and build skills from improver shearer level.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Recognise and correct faults in shearing technique
- 1.1. Analyse shearing technique.
- 1.2. Recognise and correct faults in sheep position, footwork and free hand use.
- 1.3. Recognise and correct faults in the number of blows and their placement.
- 1.4. Improve co-ordination of footwork, free hand use, sheep control and blow placement.
2. Apply techniques to increase shearing speed and accuracy
- 2.1. Increase speed at which the handpiece is pushed forward and returned between blow placements.
- 2.2. Improve the power, direction and manoeuvrability applied at the increased speed.
- 2.3. Improve rhythm at the increased speed.
- 2.4. Maintain calm temperament for 8-hour working day.
- 2.5. 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
- 3.1. Demonstrate safety procedures during shearing in relation to people and sheep.
- 3.2. Avoid excessive wool contamination and damage to the wool.
- 3.3. Shear 120 adult merino sheep or equivalent using identified method and positions in line with industry standards in a normal eight-hour working day.
- 3.4. Use correct movement of feet and hands, and maintain correct positioning to the downtube.
- 3.5. Release sheep at increased speed in line with industry and enterprise requirements.
- 3.6. Comply with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), animal welfare and industry and enterprise quality requirements.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Breeds of sheep may include:
all ages and genders including:
rams
ewes
wethers
lambs
hoggets
stags.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Breeds of sheep may include:
all ages and genders including:
rams
ewes
wethers
lambs
hoggets
stags.
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:
select, use and maintain shearing equipment
avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool and sheep
recognise problem and diseased sheep and apply treatments accordingly
shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer
analyse and build skills from improver shearer level.
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:
select, use and maintain shearing equipment
avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool and sheep
recognise problem and diseased sheep and apply treatments accordingly
shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer
analyse and build skills from improver shearer level.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3660 | RTE3129A | Shear sheep to professional level | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAS45 | AHCSHG304 | Shear sheep to professional level | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D511 | AHC41210 | Certificate IV in Shearing | Qualification |
| D495 | AHC32910 | Certificate III in Shearing | Qualification |