Meat Packers
Overview
You work in meat processing facilities slaughtering animals and packing meat products into packages for distribution to stores and restaurants. Meat packers operate modern processing equipment, follow food safety standards, and use quality control procedures to ensure products are safe and properly packaged. You need physical strength, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, attention to safety and hygiene, and emotional resilience. This essential job provides food to communities.
Did you know?
In Australia, meat processing workers typically complete a Certificate III in Meat Processing or Food Processing. Many employers provide on-the-job training, and workers must obtain food safety certifications to ensure compliance with health regulations.
At a Glance
$60,000 Avg/yr
Median Wage
Stable
Growth
Active Listening
Top Skill
Key Responsibilities
- Moving carcasses to chillers and freezers
- Loading meat products into trucks
- Packing boned and sliced meat into cartons
- Stunning and shackling poultry for killing and processing
- Severing jugular veins of poultry, and removing viscera and residual material from poultry carcasses
- Separating organs and glands, such as sweetbreads, livers, hearts and spleens, from poultry carcasses
- Inspecting and grading poultry for size and quality
- Packing
- Operating machines which slice, peel, skin and crumb
- Cleaning and sanitising equipment and work areas
Career Considerations
Training and Certification Requirements
In Australia, meat processing workers typically complete a Certificate III in Meat Processing or Food Processing. Many employers provide on-the-job training, and workers must obtain food safety certifications to ensure compliance with health regulations.
Work Environment and Safety
This occupation involves working in refrigerated environments with specialised equipment. Strong emphasis is placed on workplace safety, hygiene standards, and following strict food safety protocols to protect both workers and consumers.
Career Progression Opportunities
Starting positions can lead to supervisory roles, quality control positions, or specialised areas like product development. Some workers advance to become plant managers or start their own meat processing businesses.