Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:04 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:04 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.
Unload livestock
Unload livestock
Unit of competency
National Code
MTMP2009B
MTMP2009B
State Code
D8772
D8772
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/07/2012
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
16/07/2012
Nominal Hours
10
Description
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to unload animals from transport. It requires a working knowledge of animal handling techniques and associated facilities and equipment. The work is likely to be carried out under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.Competency requires an awareness of legislative requirements with regard to animal welfare.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Check facilities and equipment
- 1.1. Required facilities and equipment are identified.
- 1.2. The work site, facilities and equipment are checked for hazards.
- 1.3. Repairs and maintenance of facilities and equipment required for the unloading of livestock are carried out or reported where necessary.
- 1.4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing is used and stored.
2. Unload animals
- 2.1. Animals are unloaded in a safe manner to comply with animal welfare, company and regulatory requirements.
- 2.2. Livestock is identified, counted and recorded according to enterprise procedures.
- 2.3. Workplace records are maintained according to workplace and regulatory requirements.
- 2.4. Documentation is completed according to regulatory and transporter requirements.
- 2.5. Agreement on condition of animals is reached with the transporter.
3. Perform appropriate animal health procedures
- 3.1. Stock is sorted, if required, with sick or injured stock segregated according to workplace and regulatory requirements.
- 3.2. Animal health treatments are performed off truck as instructed.
- 3.3. Animals are fed and watered to enterprise requirements.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Facilities and equipment may include:
fixed and portable loading ramps
pens
prods
yards.
Hazards may include:
animal movement and handling
dust
gates
moving trucks and other vehicles
solar radiation
uneven work surfaces.
Animals include:
cattle
goats
horses
pigs
sheep.
Safe manner includes:
animal handling including zoonoses control (e.g. Q fever)
hazard and risk control
manual handling
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.
Regulatory requirements may include:
Animal Welfare Standards
Export Control Act
hygiene and sanitation requirements
relevant regulations
requirements set out in AS 4696:2007 Australian Standard for Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption
state and territory regulations regarding meat processing.
Identification system used may include:
tail tags
other means of identification of animals including electronic systems.
Workplace requirements may include:
enterprise-specific requirements
OH&S requirements
Quality Assurance (QA) requirements
SOPs
the ability to perform the task to production requirements
work instructions.
OH&Srequirements may include:
enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs
OH&S legal requirements
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include:
coats and aprons
ear plugs or muffs
eye and facial protection
head-wear
lifting assistance
mesh aprons
protective boot covers
protective hand and arm covering
protective head and hair covering
uniforms
waterproof clothing
work, safety or waterproof footwear
requirements set out in standards and codes of practice.
Communication skills may include:
listening and understanding
reading and interpreting workplace documentation
sharing information
speaking clearly and directly
working and communicating with diverse individuals and groups.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Facilities and equipment may include:
fixed and portable loading ramps
pens
prods
yards.
Hazards may include:
animal movement and handling
dust
gates
moving trucks and other vehicles
solar radiation
uneven work surfaces.
Animals include:
cattle
goats
horses
pigs
sheep.
Safe manner includes:
animal handling including zoonoses control (e.g. Q fever)
hazard and risk control
manual handling
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.
Regulatory requirements may include:
Animal Welfare Standards
Export Control Act
hygiene and sanitation requirements
relevant regulations
requirements set out in AS 4696:2007 Australian Standard for Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption
state and territory regulations regarding meat processing.
Identification system used may include:
tail tags
other means of identification of animals including electronic systems.
Workplace requirements may include:
enterprise-specific requirements
OH&S requirements
Quality Assurance (QA) requirements
SOPs
the ability to perform the task to production requirements
work instructions.
OH&Srequirements may include:
enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs
OH&S legal requirements
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include:
coats and aprons
ear plugs or muffs
eye and facial protection
head-wear
lifting assistance
mesh aprons
protective boot covers
protective hand and arm covering
protective head and hair covering
uniforms
waterproof clothing
work, safety or waterproof footwear
requirements set out in standards and codes of practice.
Communication skills may include:
listening and understanding
reading and interpreting workplace documentation
sharing information
speaking clearly and directly
working and communicating with diverse individuals and groups.
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
The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.
These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.
Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.
All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Competence requires evidence of the ability, under supervision, to:
safely and humanely unload animals in a calm and controlled manner
anticipate animal behaviour
provide and maintain appropriate animal health and nutritional requirements.
Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must occur in the workplace under normal production conditions.
Method of assessment
Recommended methods of assessment include:
workplace demonstration
quiz of underpinning knowledge
workplace referee or third- party report of performance over time.
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.
Guidance information for assessment
A current list of resources for this unit of competency is available from MINTRAC www.mintrac.com.au or telephone 1800 817 462.
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
The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.
These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.
Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.
All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Competence requires evidence of the ability, under supervision, to:
safely and humanely unload animals in a calm and controlled manner
anticipate animal behaviour
provide and maintain appropriate animal health and nutritional requirements.
Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must occur in the workplace under normal production conditions.
Method of assessment
Recommended methods of assessment include:
workplace demonstration
quiz of underpinning knowledge
workplace referee or third- party report of performance over time.
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.
Guidance information for assessment
A current list of resources for this unit of competency is available from MINTRAC www.mintrac.com.au or telephone 1800 817 462.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W6890 | MTMP2009A | Unload livestock | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBA72 | AMPA2005 | Unload livestock | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D595 | MTM20111 | Certificate II in Meat Processing (Abattoirs) | Qualification |