This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely and effectively in a range of skilled roles in the commercial poultry industry, including poultry farm technician, poultry breeding technician, egg grading technician, poultry services provider and hatchery technician.
Individuals in these roles perform poultry and/or egg production tasks under broad direction which involve discretion and judgement in handling, moving, housing, feeding and routine health care. They take responsibility for their own work, carry out assigned tasks, coordinate processes and tasks, work to schedules, operate equipment, solve problems and comply with regulatory requirements. Work environments may include farms and breeding facilities, hatchery facilities and egg grading floors, for a variety of poultry species.
The qualification requires specialisation in one or more of the following:
- Poultry Farm Technician
- Poultry Breeding Technician
- Egg Grading Technician
- Poultry Services Provider
- Hatchery Technician.
Commonwealth and/or state/territory health and safety, animal welfare, environmental protection and biosecurity legislation, regulations and codes of practice apply to the keeping of and working with poultry, including the handling of fertilised eggs. Food safety regulations and codes also apply to poultry products that are sold for human consumption. Requirements vary between jurisdictions.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
2 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Comply with industry animal welfare requirements | Core |
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Implement and monitor biosecurity measures in poultry production | Core |
| Set up sheds for placement of poultry | Core |
| Administer medication to livestock | Elective |
| Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Apply food safety procedures | Elective |
| Artificially inseminate livestock | Elective |
| Brood poultry | Elective |
| Carry out post-mortem examination of livestock | Elective |
| Catch and load poultry | Elective |
| Clean and disinfect poultry production sheds | Elective |
| Collect and pack eggs for human consumption | Elective |
| Collect, store and handle eggs from breeder flocks | Elective |
| Comply with industry quality assurance requirements | Elective |
| Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair | Elective |
| Demonstrate leadership in the workplace | Elective |
| Develop a pest management plan | Elective |
| Develop processes and procedures for controlling hazardous chemicals in the workplace | Elective |
| Engage in workplace communication | Elective |
| Euthanase livestock | Elective |
| Grade and pack eggs for human consumption | Elective |
| Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | Elective |
| Implement a pest management plan | Elective |
| Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs | Elective |
| Implement animal health control programs | Elective |
| Implement feeding plans for intensive production | Elective |
| Implement pest management strategies | Elective |
| Incubate eggs | Elective |
| Maintain and monitor feed stocks | Elective |
| Maintain health and welfare of poultry | Elective |
| Monitor livestock production growing environments | Elective |
| Operate a telehandler | Elective |
| Operate egg grading and packing floor equipment | Elective |
| Operate machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate specialised machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Participate in a HACCP team | Elective |
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | Elective |
| Provide on-job training support | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Remove and facilitate reuse of effluent and manure from an intensive production system | Elective |
| Transport and store chemicals | Elective |
| Use application equipment to apply fumigant in confined spaces | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Poultry Production sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Poultry Farmer
ANZSCO 121321
Poultry Farmers breed and raise chickens, turkeys, ducks and other poultry for eggs, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Poultry Process Worker
ANZSCO 831312
Poultry Process Workers stun and kill, dress, trim, cut into portions, bone, fillet, weigh, grade and package poultry.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Poultry Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841514
Poultry Farm Workers perform routine tasks on poultry farms, such as collecting eggs and placing them in incubators, providing poultry with feed and water, and disinfecting hatcheries to prevent disease.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Poultry Production
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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4 Up Skilling Pty Ltd (RTO code 32141)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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CHM Alliance Pty Ltd (RTO code 31503)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.