Informing Queensland’s training and skills priorities for the meat processing industry

The Meat Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group (IRG) plays a pivotal role in shaping the workforce responsible for maintaining the high-quality standards of Australian meat products.

This IRG brings together subject matter experts, peak bodies, unions, and leaders and managers from industry to provide proactive and high-quality advice and insights on current challenges and opportunities in meat processing industry. The work of the IRG helps inform and align Queensland’s training and skills priorities, and guides the design of training programs, workforce solutions and government investment settings.

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About the group

Meat Processing workforce in Queensland comprises of approximately 13,600 individuals (29% of the national total), and contributes significantly to the Australian economy, making it crucial to ensure that training reflects current industry and training delivery needs. Most recent data shows the Australian Meat Processing (AMP) training package has 1,634 commencing students and 794 students completing qualifications, on average, each year.

The Meat Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group informs MSQ’s major workforce investment and Annual Training Plan, and our Industry Skills and Jobs Advisory Program of work. Through its activities, the group aims to optimise the training system to industry needs and build and retain a skilled workforce within the meat processing industry in Queensland, Australia.

*Data is correct at 11/03/2025. Sources: ABS, Labour Force, detailed (Table EQ06) and NCVER, Total VET students and courses.

What we discuss

By bringing together experts in meat processing industry we can collectively achieve more, driving the sustainability and transformation of the manufacturing industry. A future-proofed manufacturing industry is at the heart of our discussion. The Industry Reference Group meets to:

  • Review the effectiveness and suitability of the Queensland Government’s annual investment in vocational education and training to support skilling, jobs growth, and employment opportunities.
  • Identify evidence of unmet demands, current and emerging trends, and discuss innovative solutions.
  • Inform and contribute to the national vocational education and training reform agenda, including the development of training package products.
  • Advocate for quality in training as the stewards of industry.
  • Inform the ongoing program of work for Manufacturing Skills Queensland and our role as part of the Industry Skills Advisory program.

Informing national standards and qualifications

Training packages are a key feature of Australia’s national vocational education and training (VET) system. The Industry Reference Group supports Manufacturing Skills Queensland provide advice about training and skills opportunities and challenges in relevant training packages.

The work of the IRG focuses on the following training package:

  • AMP – Australian Meat Processing Training Package

This package covers meat industry qualifications from entry level (certificate II) to graduate diploma for the meat processing, meat retail, smallgoods, game harvesting and food services sectors.

Our members

The Industry Reference Group consists of experts and leaders from employers, employer bodies, and unions, to support a skilled and future-proofed workforce.

TBC

AJ Bush & Sons

Rachel Corcoran

Australian Country Choice

Tony Morgan

Australian Meat Industry Council

Matt Journeaux

Australian Meat Industry Employees’ Union Queensland

Amanda Carter

Australian Meat Processor Corporation

Kim McCarthy

Biggenden Meat Works

Rebecca Walton

Bindaree Food Group

Kieron Nicholls

Hilton Food Group

Matthew Burns

JBS Australia

John Holcombe

John Dee

Linda Fernando

Kilcoy Global Foods

Terry Nolan

Nolan Meats

Brett Williams

Oakey Beef

Rob Mollison

Queensland Country Meat Processors Association

David Matthews

Stanbroke Meats

Warwick Bricknell

Swickers / Sunpork Fresh

Daniel Sykes

Western Meat Exporters

IRG Membership

What does an IRG Member do?

Members of the Meat Processing Industry Reference Group draw on their expertise to share valuable insights and provide advice to the Queensland government in relation to:

  • Skills and workforce policy and investment.
  • The suitability of national training packages, qualifications and units of competency.
  • Regional and sub-industry skills and workforce issues, needs and opportunities.
  • Technological advancements and requirements.

IRG members also provide advice to MSQ in relation to the scoping and implementation of our Annual Training Plan and associated programs and contribute to the development of:

  • an action plan to guide ISJA and IRG activities; and
  • projects and strategies to address regional and state-wide skills and workforce issues to meet the evolving needs of the Meat Processing sub-industries.

How do I become an IRG Member?

What is the level of commitment for an IRG Member?

Meat Processing Industry Reference Group meetings are held quarterly via Teams for up to two hours. IRG members will also have the opportunity to attend a range of stakeholder events and forums throughout the year.

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Guests and representatives

The Meat Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group often extends invitations to guests including industry experts, government officials, and representatives from educational and training institutions. Guests will often deliver presentations covering a wide range of topics, including the latest industry trends, technological advancements, regulatory updates, and innovative workforce solutions.

MSQ welcomes proposals from relevant organisations to present to the IRG and please contact us if you would like to get involved.

Contact us

Upcoming meetings

The Industry Reference Group meets at least four times each year. The group may meet in addition to this and by exception where necessary. Meetings are held virtually to enable attendance from across Queensland.

2025 meeting dates
  • Wednesday 6 August
  • Wednesday 12 November

Project outcomes

The Industry Reference Group has supported the development of a number of current projects.

Underway
Beef Processing Mentoring

Designed to address sustainability within the meat processing industry by focusing on key areas that have been identified after extensive industry consultation as challenges, namely employee retention, training, and well-being. The multifaceted approach includes an employee integration program, micro-credential training and a wellbeing program.

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Underway
Funding Review: Industry identified priority qualifications

On behalf of industry, the Industry Skills Advisor has submitted an industry proposal to DESBT to recommend the Certificate III in Meat Processing (Slaughtering) be added to the User Choice Funding List at a priority one to assist in addressing skill shortages.

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Underway
Funding Review: Industry identified priority qualifications

On behalf of industry, the Industry Skills Advisor has submitted an industry proposal to DESBT to recommend the Certificate III in Meat Processing (Boning Room) be added to the User Choice Funding List at a priority one.

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Underway
AMP Essential Meat Processing Skills Project

The Industry Skills Advisor has joined the project Technical Committee on behalf of the Meat Processing Industry Reference Group, ensuring Queensland’s meat processing employers are engaged as part of the project’s consultation strategy. This project is the second stage of a broader project to review the entire AMP Training Package and will focus on the essential skills in the certificate II level qualifications, which support accredited training pathways for new entrants.

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Completed
Certificate IV in Meat Processing (Quality Assurance)

Working with industry and DESBT, we had the qualification declared as a traineeship to be delivered in Queensland and added to the user choice list, so more workers are eligible for funding to undertake this qualification.

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Completed
Queensland Beef Stakeholder Toolkits project

This project developed toolkits that will help attract new employees to the industry. These toolkits are free for industry use and are available for download on the Queensland Beef website.

Learn more

Become a group member or join us as a guest

If you want to join this group or attend as a guest, please fill out the form to submit your interest.

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Consent

About the program

The Meat Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group is coordinated by the Manufacturing Skills Queensland through the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program.

The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, designed to support employer, small business and industry connect and engage with the training sector, government programs and investment.

The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

QLD Queensland