Shearer and wool handler training
AWI funds hands-on, practical in-shed training for shearers and wool handlers across the country to attract and retain new entrants into the wool harvesting industry; increase workers’ productivity, skills and professionalism; and increase returns to woolgrowers through improved clip preparation practices.
AWI continues to regularly fund and support hands-on practical in-shed training for shearers and wool handlers. As well as novice workshops and improver workshops, AWI also funds education programs for high school students.
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Novice workshops – These provide school leavers and new entrants to the wool industry, generally aged 16 to 25, with training geared towards gaining full-time employment in the industry. Pictured is a novice workshop at Balmoral, Victoria.
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Improver workshops – These are run to assist new entrants and learner shearers currently working in industry to improve their shearing and wool handling skills. Pictured is an improver workshop at Teetulpa, South Australia.
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Education programs – These are targeted at high school students in years 9 to 12 and have an emphasis on the variety of career pathways within the industry. Pictured is a workshop for the WA College of Agriculture – Harvey, in Western Australia.
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AWI-funded trainers carry out wool harvesting training in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania. In Victoria and South Australia, the AWI-funded training is provided by the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia Shearer Woolhandler Training Inc (SCAA SWTI).
See below for a list of novice and improver training scheduled nationwide for 2025 – more is planned. Programs are subject to change without notice. Keep an eye on the Facebook channels of @australianwoolinnovation (NSW, WA, Qld, Tas) and @shearerwoolhandlertraining (Vic, SA) for the latest updates.
AWI thanks all the woolgrowers who provide their facilities and sheep, and all the other organisations and individuals that lend their time and resources to help run this training.
Pictured at the top of the page is Dwayne Black on the board training new entrants in the industry at Rylington Park in Boyup Brook, Western Australia, in November.
More information: www.wool.com/harvestingtraining
2025 SCHEDULED TRAINING
New South Wales
January to June 2025 – dates and locations for the latter six months of the calendar year will be advertised by the end of May.
Contact craig.french@wool.com for details.
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Dates |
Location |
Level |
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13–17 Jan |
Bookham |
Novice |
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24–28 Feb |
Walbundrie |
Novice |
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17–28 Feb |
Cooinbill |
Novice |
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10–14 Feb |
Young |
Novice |
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31 March – 4 April |
Walbundrie |
Novice |
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24–28 March |
Warren |
Improver |
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April (dates TBC) |
Walbundrie |
Improver |
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21–25 April |
Daysdale |
Improver |
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May (dates TBC) |
Cooma |
Novice |
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May (dates TBC) |
Cooma |
Novice |
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5–16 May |
Armidale TAFE |
Shearing & Wool Handling Cert II |
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26 May – 6 June |
Glen Innes TAFE |
Shearing Cert II |
Victoria
Contact the SCAA SWTI on 1300 787 984 or admin@swti.edu.au for details.
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Dates |
Location |
Level |
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20–24 Jan |
Balmoral |
Novice |
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3–7 Feb |
Gymbowen |
Novice |
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10–14 Feb |
Bendigo |
Novice |
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3–7 March |
Dookie |
Novice |
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11–14 March |
Dookie |
Improver |
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7–11 April |
Hamilton |
Novice |
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5–9 May |
Ballarat |
Novice |
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16–20 June |
Inglewood |
Improver |
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30 June – 4 July |
Manangatang |
Novice |
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7–11 July |
Omeo |
Novice |
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18–22 August |
Telopea Downs |
Improver |
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4–8 Aug |
Wycheproof |
Novice |
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8–12 Sept |
Wedderburn |
Novice |
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13–17 Oct |
Penshurst |
Novice |
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10–14 Nov |
Bairnsdale |
Novice |
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17–21 Nov |
Strathbogie |
Novice |
South Australia
Contact Josh Sneath on 0419 176 750 or email jsneath@swti.edu.au for details.
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Dates |
Location |
Level |
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20–24 Jan |
Willalooka |
Novice |
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28 Jan – 7 Feb |
Konetta |
Improver |
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10–21 Feb |
Konetta |
Improver |
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24–28 Feb |
Marrabel |
Novice |
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3–14 March |
Pandurra |
Improver |
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24–28 March |
Holowiliena |
Improver |
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7–11 April |
Langhorne Creek |
Novice |
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5–23 May |
Teetulpa |
Improver |
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12–30 May |
Oakden Hills |
Improver |
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2–6 June |
Jamestown |
Novice |
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23–27 June |
Streaky Bay |
Novice |
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7–11 July |
Pinindi |
Novice |
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4–8 Aug |
Karoonda |
Novice |
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18–22 Aug |
Ki Ki |
Novice |
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22–26 Sept |
Roseworthy |
Novice |
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13–17 Oct |
Cummins |
Novice |
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27 Oct – 31 Oct |
Furner |
Novice |
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1–5 Dec |
Parndana KI |
Novice |
Western Australia
Contact craig.french@wool.com or valerie.pretzel@wool.com for details. Specific dates in each particular month are still being finalised.
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Dates |
Location |
Level |
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Jan |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
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Jan |
Narrogin |
Ag college trainers |
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Feb |
Boyup Brook |
Wool pressing |
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Feb |
Muresk |
Novice |
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Feb |
Muresk |
Improver |
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March |
Boyup Brook |
Industry workshop |
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April |
Broomehill |
Novice |
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June |
Tambellup |
Improver |
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June |
Narrogin |
Train the trainer |
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July |
Darkan |
Wool pressing |
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July |
Northampton |
Improver |
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July |
Northampton |
Industry workshop |
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August |
Muresk |
Novice |
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August |
Muresk |
Improver |
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August |
Muresk |
Industry workshop |
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Sept |
Dumbulyung |
Industry workshop |
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Sept |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
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Nov |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
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Nov |
Lake Grace |
Improver |
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Nov |
Lake Grace |
WHW – High School |
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Dec |
Boyup Brook |
Improver |
Queensland
Contact craig.french@wool.com for details.
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Dates |
Location |
Level |
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May (dates TBC) |
Barcaldine |
Novice |
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May (dates TBC) |
Barcaldine |
Improver |
Tasmania
Contact Locky West on 0400 865 631 or email lachlan.west@wool.com for details.
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Dates |
Location |
Level |
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20–24 Jan |
Bothwell |
Novice |
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5–9 May |
Ross |
Novice |
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12–16 May |
Ross |
Improver |
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28 July – 1 Aug |
Fingal |
Novice |
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4–8 Aug |
Fingal |
Improver |
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17–21 Nov |
Gretna |
Novice |
This article appeared in the Autumn 2025 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine that was published in March 2025. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
