Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:32 PM AWST
22/07/2026 7:32 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 alpacas
Shear alpacas
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCSHG208A
AHCSHG208A
State Code
D7218
D7218
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/12/2011
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
22/12/2011
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit covers the process of selecting, handling and shearing alpacas and defines the standard required to: set up and adjust handpiece to the shearing conditions; operate shearing equipment safely; position alpaca and restrain for shearer safety; avoid damage to alpaca as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece; handle and shear alpacas using industry-accepted methods and procedures; meet volume and productivity expectations.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for shearing
- 1.1. Shearing materials, tools and equipment are checked for serviceability and prepared in readiness for shearing operations.
- 1.2. Alpacas to be shorn are identified, drafted and moved according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), animal welfare and enterprise requirements.
- 1.3. Alpacas are positioned for shearing according to industry agreed shearing methods.
- 1.4. Potential and existing hazards in the workplace are identified, assessed and controlled according to OHS requirements.
- 1.5. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained according to OHS and enterprise requirements.
2. Perform shearing operations
- 2.1. Alpacas are shorn using shearing methods that minimise damage to the alpaca and fleece and ensure that volume of shearing meets enterprise requirements.
- 2.2. Safe and humane handling techniques are used at all times according to OHS and animal welfare requirements.
- 2.3. Own shearing performance is monitored and posture, shearing rate or speed and position of alpaca are adjusted as required.
3. Respond to complications
- 3.1. Where contamination is identified during shearing operations, it is reported to owner according to enterprise requirements.
- 3.2. Cuts to alpacas are treated according to industry standards and animal welfare requirements.
- 3.3. Problem alpacas are identified and appropriate measures are taken.
4. Complete shearing operation
- 4.1. Fleece is placed correctly for collection by handlers to avoid contamination and according to enterprise and industry requirements.
- 4.2. Shearing handpiece is set to non-operational position and stored according to manufacturer specifications and enterprise requirements.
- 4.3. Alpacas are safely released from the board into holding yards.
- 4.4. Shearing grievances and difficulties are reported to supervisor according to enterprise requirements.
- 4.5. Environmental implications associated with shearing activities are monitored and controlled according to enterprise requirements.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
all types and strains of alpacas and all fleece types, including crossbred, huacaya, and suri.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Animals may include:
all types and strains of alpacas and all fleece types, including crossbred, huacaya, and suri.
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
position alpaca and restrain for shearer safety
avoid damage to alpaca as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece
handle and shear alpacas using industry-accepted methods and procedures
meet volume and productivity expectations.
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
position alpaca and restrain for shearer safety
avoid damage to alpaca as well as second cuts and contaminants in fleece
handle and shear alpacas using industry-accepted methods and procedures
meet volume and productivity expectations.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAP81 | AHCSHG208 | Shear alpacas | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D451 | AHC20110 | Certificate II in Agriculture | Qualification |