The meat processing industry encompasses the handling of livestock, from slaughter to packaging, and the subsequent preparation of meat products for human and animal consumption.  Animals can range from like cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as poultry, rabbits, crocodiles, and some other species like kangaroos and deer

This industry includes abattoirs, which handle the slaughtering of animals, boning rooms where meat is processed into different cuts, boned, and prepared for packaging, and smallgoods businesses which manufacture a variety of smallgoods products, such as sausages, salami, and other processed meats.

🥩 Abattoirs

Abattoir jobs involve a variety of roles, from skilled meat processing to general labour. Roles include:

Slaughterer

Dispatches and prepares livestock carcasses for further processing in an abattoir. This includes tasks like operating restraining and stunning equipment, severing blood vessels, and eviscerating carcasses. May also trim and remove parts of the animal, and adheres to specific religious slaughtering procedures.

General Labourer

Performs general duties such as collecting residual meat and bone products, mopping and sweeping floors and general cleaning.

Many abattoirs may also incorporate boning rooms. Refer to the boning room section for more detail.

🔪 Boning Rooms

Boning rooms may be located on the same site as an abattoir or a boning room may operate on its own. Boning rooms supply products direct to domestic and export markets, the smallgoods industry and retail sectors.

Boner and Slicer

A skilled worker who prepares meat by removing bones from carcasses, sides, and other meat pieces. They expertly use knives to trim and cut meat, removing fat and preparing it for packaging and marketing.

Machine Operators

Operates machines such as bandsaws, hock cutters, strappers, denuders, air saws and wizard knives for various processes.

Packer

Packs meat products into bags and/or boxes for storage and transport.

Meat Inspector

Ensures the safety and quality of meat products for human consumption by conducting inspections of carcasses, products and facilities, as well as auditing and monitoring quality and food safety procedures.

🥓 Smallgoods

The smallgoods sector manufactures products from the boning process. Products include sausages, salamis, cured meats like hams, bacon and cooked beef, and silverside, liverwurst, paté and brawns. Jobs include:

Butcher / Smallgoods Maker

Prepares meat for sale, including boning, trimming, and grinding. Operates machinery like sausage filling machines and smoking chambers.

Machine Operator

Operates machinery used in the processing and manufacturing of smallgoods, such as grinders, mixers, and packaging machines.

Process Worker

Involved in various stages of the smallgoods production process, including packaging, trimming, and assembly.

Food Technologist

Develops and improves the quality and safety of smallgoods products.

Quality Assurance Officer

Ensures that smallgoods products meet quality and safety standards.

Meat Inspector

Inspects meat products to ensure they meet regulatory standards.