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Butchers and Smallgoods Makers

ANZSCO ID 3512

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Overview

Snapshot

Employed
12,700
Future Growth
11.2%
Weekly Earnings
$1,045
Full-Time Share
79%
Female Share
6%
Average age
39
About this data

Summary

Butchers and Smallgoods Makers select, cut, trim, prepare and arrange meat for sale and supply, operate meat and smallgoods processing machines, and manage the processes in the production of smallgoods.

Tasks

  • preparing meat for sale by removing bones, trimming fat and cutting, mincing and grinding meat to shape and size for display or as ordered

  • preparing crumbed cuts of meat, and marinating, seasoning and curing special cuts

  • selecting and preparing meat to produce smallgoods

  • operating machines to grind, mix, mince and tenderise meat

  • making seasonings and pickles by mixing spices, salt and other ingredients

  • operating sausage filling machines, smoking chambers, and cooking kettles and vats

  • advising customers on the suitability and uses of cuts of meat

  • may assist in menu planning and scheduling, and in estimating food production costs

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
3512 Butchers and Smallgoods Makers This occupation is Current selected
Unemployment Rate
Average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
  • Enterprising
Physical Demand
  • Medium
  • Heavy

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:

  • is expected to grow strongly
  • is likely to reach 9,200 by 2026.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.

Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.

Projected Change
11.2%
(or 900 jobs)
From
8,200
in 2021
To
9,200
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 23,600
2012 21,600
2013 21,400
2014 16,600
2015 22,300
2016 14,000
2017 16,800
2018 19,100
2019 18,200
2020 17,400
2021 8,200
2026 9,200

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 82% of people employed as Butchers and Smallgoods Makers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 16 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 46 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,045 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $980
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,442

    Median hourly earnings are $28, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

    Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Earnings Butchers and Smallgoods Makers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,045 1,593
Total Earnings 0 0

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.

Industries

Main industries

1
Retail Trade
84.8%
2
Manufacturing
11.7%
3
Wholesale Trade
3.5%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

30.9% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

22.6% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

23.7% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

8.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

9.7% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.7% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.7% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.0% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Butchers and Smallgoods Makers All Jobs Average
NSW 30.9 31.6
VIC 22.6 25.6
QLD 23.7 20.0
SA 8.7 7.0
WA 9.7 10.8
TAS 2.7 2.0
NT 0.7 1.0
ACT 1.0 1.9


  • Around 53% of Butchers and Smallgoods Makers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.

    The regions with the largest share of workers are:

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.

Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
39
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
6%
All Jobs Average is 48%

  • The median age of Butchers and Smallgoods Makers is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.

    Females make up 6% of the workforce. This is 42 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.

Age Profile (% Share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Butchers and Smallgoods Makers All Jobs Average
15-19 6.6 5.0
20-24 12.8 9.3
25-34 22.3 22.9
35-44 19.9 22.0
45-54 19.1 21.6
55-59 8.6 9.0
60-64 6.4 6.0
65 and Over 4.2 4.2
Median Age 39 40

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.

Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

Extensive experience or a certificate III in meat processing (retail butcher or smallgoods) is needed to work as a Butcher or Smallgoods Maker. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Australian Meat Processing VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Type of Qualification Butchers and Smallgoods Makers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.2 10.1
Bachelor degree 1.9 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 1.7 11.6
Certificate III/IV 67.0 21.1
Year 12 10.7 18.1
Year 11 3.3 4.8
Year 10 and below 15.2 12.5

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.

Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Butchers and Smallgoods Makers who are reliable, well presented and have a good work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 43%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 43%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 43%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 43%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 43%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 43%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 41%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 41%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 41%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 41%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 39%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 39%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 36%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 34%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 32%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 30%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 30%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 29%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 29%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 29%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 59%

    Food production

    Planting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.

  • 55%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 47%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 38%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 34%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 32%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 31%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 30%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 29%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 24%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 23%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 23%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 21%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 19%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 15%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 14%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 14%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 14%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.

  • 13%

    Biology

    Plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.

  • 12%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 46%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 46%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 45%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 45%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 45%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 43%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 43%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 43%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 43%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 43%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 41%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 41%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 36%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 36%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 34%

    Multitasking

    Do two or more things at the same time.

  • 34%

    Reaction time

    Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.

  • 30%

    Auditory attention

    Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.

Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 75%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 65%

    Working with the public

    Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.

  • 58%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 57%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 56%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 56%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 56%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 53%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 52%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 51%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 50%

    Influencing people

    Convincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.

  • 50%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 50%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 49%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 46%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 46%

    Coaching and developing others

    Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.

  • 44%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 43%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

  • 42%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 41%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

Interests and demands

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

  • 95%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 67%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 57%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 24%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 19%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 19%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.

  • 48%

    Relationships

    Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

  • 43%

    Independence

    Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

  • 38%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 38%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 36%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 33%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.

Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:

  • 100%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 97%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 96%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 91%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 90%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 90%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 88%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 87%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 87%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 86%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 85%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 83%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

  • 82%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 81%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 79%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 78%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 78%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 78%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 77%

    Angry or unpleasant people

    Deal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.

  • 76%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

Occupational Information Network
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-3021.00 - Butchers and Meat Cutters.

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