Wool Handler

Position Purpose

The Wool Handler plays a key role in shearing shed operations by preparing wool for classing and sale. This includes handling fleeces efficiently, ensuring cleanliness within the shed, and supporting shearers and wool classers. The role is central to maintaining productivity, preserving fleece quality, and upholding workplace safety and animal welfare standards.

Wool Preparation & Handling

• Collect fleeces promptly from the shearing board.
• Skirt and remove stained or inferior sections from fleeces.
• Roll and fold fleeces neatly for presentation to the Wool Classer.
• Separate wool types (fleece, pieces, bellies, locks) into designated bins.
• Handle wool carefully to reduce fibre damage and maintain quality.

Support to Wool Classer

• Follow directions on fleece presentation, contamination control, and sorting.
• Assist with maintaining standards required for accurate classing and bale preparation.

Shed Maintenance & Cleanliness

• Keep the shearing board, wool tables, and press area clean and safe.
• Remove waste and contaminants from wool bins.
• Carry out regular sweeping to ensure hygiene and safe working conditions.

Pressing and Baling Assistance

• Assist in pressing wool into bales when required.
• Support with bale branding, weighing, and record-keeping under supervision.

Team Collaboration

• Work cooperatively with shearers, other wool handlers, and classers.
• Help with moving sheep through pens when needed.
• Contribute to a safe, efficient, and positive team environment.

Workplace Health & Safety

• Adhere to all health and safety protocols and use PPE correctly.
• Report hazards, injuries, or unsafe practices immediately.
• Take part in toolbox talks and safety briefings.

Essential

• Good physical fitness and ability to perform repetitive, fast-paced tasks.
• Capacity to stand for extended periods and handle manual work.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
• Awareness of safety and animal welfare standards.

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Previous wool handling or shed experience.

• Certificate II or III in Wool Handling or Shearing.
• Certificate IV in Wool Classing.
• Ability to perform other jobs in the shed such as penning up sheep and wool pressing when required.
• Ability to work on all positions on the crutching trailer when needed.
• Own vehicle and caravan for stay-outs.
• Have own working dog(s).

• Work aligned with shearing schedules, including long hours and early starts.
• Duties carried out in shearing sheds, often in rural or remote locations.
• Exposure to dust, lanolin, and livestock environments.
• Travel and shared accommodation.