2. Definitions

[Varied by PR734194, PR774744, PR777262, PR795663]

In this award, unless the contrary intention appears:

Act means the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

all purposes means the payment will be included in the rate of pay of an employee who is entitled to the allowance, when calculating any penalties or loadings or payment while they are on annual leave (see clause 18.2(a)).

broadacre field crops means grains, seeds, grasses, silage, legumes, fibre, flowers, and other crops grown as part of a broadacre mixed farming enterprise.

broadacre mixed farming enterprise:

 means a farming enterprise consisting of the growing of broadacre field crops as defined;

 includes the rearing, management, and grazing of livestock;

 means a farming enterprise which combines both; or

 means a farming enterprise which in addition to any of the above grows other crops, for the purposes of crop rotation or the rearing, management, and grazing of livestock as part of a mixed farming enterprise.

[Definition of casual employee inserted by PR734194 from 27Sep21; varied by PR777262 from 27Aug24]

casual employee has the meaning given by section 15A of the Act.

NOTE: Section 15A of the Act was amended with effect from 26 August 2024. Under clause 102(3) of Schedule 1 to the Act, an existing employee who was a casual employee of an employer under section 15A as it was immediately before that date is taken to be a casual employee of the employer for the purposes of section 15A after that date.

casual pieceworker means a Shearer, Crutcher or Woolpresser engaged as a casual employee and paid the piecework rates in accordance with Part 9—Shearing Operations.

crutching includes all the operations for which rates are prescribed in this award. The meanings of the words crutch, Crutcher and crutched are similarly extended.

cut out means the completion of the shearing or crutching of the last sheep shorn or crutched at the termination of the shed.

defined benefit member has the meaning given by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).

double-fleeced means a sheep carrying 2 years’ fleece.

employee means national system employee within the meaning of the Act.

[Definition of employee organisation inserted by PR774744; substituted retrospectively by PR795663 ppc 01Jul24]

employee organisation has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

employer means national system employer within the meaning of the Act.

[Definition of enterprise inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

enterprise has the meaning given by section 12 of the Act.

exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).

expeditionary employee means a woolclasser or Shearing shed expert who commences on the day as agreed for commencing shearing and resides on the property for the duration of the shearing. Expeditionary employees are entitled to free board and lodging.

experience in the industry means all and any experience in the industry as described in clause 4.2 of this award.

farm and livestock hand means an employee performing the work described in the classifications which apply to such work in Part 6—Broadacre Farming and Livestock Operations of this award and who is not a piggery attendant, poultry worker or any employee classified under Part 9—Shearing Operations.

found employees are employees who are supplied with up to 5 meals per day during the course of shearing or crutching; such meals are to be provided by the employer together with suitable accommodation.

keep is where a farm and livestock hand is employed on the ‘with keep’ rate as prescribed in this award, ‘keep’ will mean good and sufficient living accommodation and good and sufficient rations of sufficient quantity; sound, well-cooked and properly served by the cook or the cook’s offsider; but it will not include accommodation under a roof or cooking when circumstances render such accommodation or cooking impracticable.

livestock means all animals used in primary production including insects.

MySuper product has the meaning given by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth).

NES means the National Employment Standards as contained in sections 59 to 131 of the Act.

on-hire means the on-hire of an employee by their employer to a client, where such employee works under the general guidance and instruction of the client or a representative of the client.

ordinary hourly rate means the minimum hourly rate for an employee’s classification specified in clauses 32, 37, 47 and 51—Minimum rates plus any allowances specified as being included in the employee’s ordinary hourly rate or payable for all purposes.

pastoral industry has the meaning given in clause 4.2.

piggery attendant means an employee who is employed by an employer who is exclusively, wholly or substantially engaged in the raising and breeding of pigs, and who performs duties described in the classifications in Part 7—Pig Breeding and Raising of this award.

poultry worker means an employee who is employed by an employer who is exclusively, wholly or substantially engaged in the raising and breeding of poultry, and who performs duties described in the classifications in Part 8—Poultry Farming of this award.

ram stags are rams that have been castrated when they are 18 months or older.

rams are male sheep that are more than 6 months old.

shearing is where:

 the employee takes off the belly wool first and lays it aside, and, when required by the employer, the employee shears over the tail when shearing the first side; and

 in opening the fleece at the neck and belly, the machine or both blades of the shears will be kept under the wool and close to the skin, so as to avoid twice cutting and where the employee does not run the machine or shears through the fleece so as to break it down the centre or the back.

shearing cook means an employee who cooks for 6 or more employees who are engaged for shearing or crutching operations.

shearing shed expert or expert means an employee who is competent to perform experting duties at a shearing shed as described in clause 50.8 in accordance with the requirements of the employer or a representative (such requirements to be specified at the time of engagement).

shed means shearing shed or, in relation to crutching work performed other than at a shed, the property, station or location where crutching work is or will be undertaken.

silviculture and afforestation means planting, pruning, fertilising and any other activity in or in connection with the establishment or cultivation of trees in forests.

[Definition of small business employer inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

small business employer has the meaning given by section 23 of the Act.

standard rate means the hourly rate payable to a farm and livestock hand level 2 in clause 32.1.

station cook means an employee who cooks for station hands and/or other station personnel.

stud ewes are ewes with tags in their ears from which rams are bred for sale or station use. The term does not include ewes of the flock which have tags in their ears for the purpose of identification other than for stud purposes.

wet place means a place where the clothing of the employee becomes wet or a place where the employee has to stand in water or slush so that the employee’s footwear becomes saturated.

woolclasser means a person who is registered as such and who is employed in or in conjunction with a shearing operation. A woolclasser who performs the additional duty of shearing shed experting at the one shearing will, for the purposes of this award, be deemed to be employed as a woolclasser and not as an expert.

woolpresser means a person who presses wool shorn or crutched; weighs, brands and stores the wool; presses and closes the bales; and performs additional duties as directed.

[Definition of workplace delegate inserted by PR774744 from 01Jul24]

workplace delegate has the meaning given by section 350C(1) of the Act.

36. Classifications

[Varied by PR781364]

36.1 General duties

(a) A piggery attendant at all classification levels may be required to undertake any duty or combination of duties listed below, as may be required at each enterprise, to the full limit of the employee’s ability, training and/or licensing:

 apply and adhere to quarantine control procedures;

 clean and maintain protective footwear and clothing;

 clean and maintain administration and amenities buildings and associated fittings and equipment;

 maintain an adequate environment for the well-being of stock;

 clean accommodation pens, fittings and equipment;

 provide feed and water for stock;

 tend to routine husbandry of all stock;

 apply animal identification systems;

 move, draft and weigh stock;

 remove and dispose of effluent;

 dispose of deceased stock;

 mix and mill feed;

 care for sick or injured stock;

 maintain herd health status at an acceptable level;

 operate farm-related vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment (if appropriately licensed);

 detect oestrous and mate breeding stock;

 diagnose pregnancy in breeding stock;

 assist sows and piglets at farrowing;

 remove faulty or damaged equipment and fittings;

 install new or replacement equipment and fittings;

 maintain a recording system and interpret data;

 transport stock, feed and equipment (if appropriately licensed);

 maintain sheds, fixtures and fittings, fences and surrounds;

 maintain machinery and equipment; and

 perform other duties as required.

(b) Piggery attendants at all levels including PA3 and above may additionally be required to:

 select replacement breeding stock;

 make decisions on drug usage;

 destroy sick or injured stock in a humane manner;

 conduct post mortem examinations of deceased stock;

 order stores and equipment; and

 perform other duties as required.

36.2 Piggery attendant level 1 (PA1)

(a) A piggery attendant level 1 (PA1) is:

 an employee undertaking up to 38 hours’ induction training which may include information on the enterprise, conditions of employment, introduction to supervisors and fellow workers, training and career path opportunities, farm layout, production program, work and record keeping procedures and work health and safety; or

 any person employed as general hand in a general capacity to perform basic tasks such as moving the stock from place to place, cleaning the establishment and the feeding of stock.

(b) An employee at this level:

 is generally a new recruit to the industry who performs simple or routine tasks essentially of a manual nature and to the level of their training;

 exercises minimal skills, knowledge and decision making;

 works under direct supervision, and is given regular direction or guidance and whose results are constantly monitored;

 is undertaking structured training so as to enable them to work at PA2 level; and

 after adequate instruction the employee, may be required to undertake any task(s) listed in clause 36.1.

[36.2(c) inserted by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(c) Within a period of 3 months, the employee will be reclassified to Piggery attendant level 2 (PA2).

36.3 Piggery attendant level 2 (PA2)

[36.3(a) varied by PR781364 ppc 01Apr25]

(a) A piggery attendant level 2 (PA2) is:

 an employee appointed by the employer to this level who has completed up to 3 months’ employment at PA1 level so as to enable the employee to work within the scope of this level.

(b) An employee at this level:

 may have limited experience in the pig industry, and generally performs simple straightforward tasks, using well established techniques and practices in pig husbandry;

 exercises skills requiring some knowledge of established techniques and minimal routine decision making;

 works under frequent direct supervision and guidance;

 has work regularly inspected and the final result usually checked; and

 may be required to undertake any task(s) listed in clause 36.1.

36.4 Piggery attendant level 3 (PA3)

(a) A piggery attendant level 3 (PA3) is:

 an employee appointed by the employer to this level; and

 who performs a range of different but straightforward tasks using well established techniques and practices under routine supervision.

(b) An employee at this level:

 exercises skills requiring knowledge or relevant experience in piggery procedures and is required to make decisions within the employee’s knowledge and competence on day-to-day management of pigs;

 works under general supervision, is responsible for the quality of their own work and receives limited guidance relating to more unusual features or new tasks;

 may work individually or as part of a team, or may supervise the duties of employees at an equal or lower level;

 may be subject to routine performance checks; and

 may be required to undertake any task(s) listed in clause 36.1.

36.5 Piggery attendant level 4 (PA4)

(a) A piggery attendant level 4 (PA4) is:

 an employee appointed by the employer to this level; and

 who has completed a minimum of:

 one year of adult relevant experience in the industry;

 an accredited stockperson training course certificate; or

 equivalent formal training recognised by the employer, plus 6 months’ relevant adult experience in the industry.

(b) An employee at this level:

 performs a range of straightforward tasks using well established techniques and practices under limited supervision and is responsible for maintaining the quality and quantity of their work;

 exercises skills requiring sound knowledge of and experience in piggery procedures and requires instruction only on management decisions that vary from established practices and principles;

 exercises some individual judgment and initiative within established principles and practices;

 may work individually or as part of a team or may supervise the duties of employees at an equal or lower level;

 assists in the provision of on-the-job training to a limited degree; and

 may be required to undertake any task(s) listed in clause 36.1.

36.6 Piggery attendant level 5 (PA5)

(a) A piggery attendant level 5 (PA5) is:

 an employee appointed by the employer to this level who has completed a minimum of:

 2 years’ adult relevant experience in the industry; or

 an accredited apprenticeship or equivalent formal training plus one year of relevant adult experience in the industry.

(b) An employee at this level:

 performs a range of tasks using well established techniques and practices under minimal supervision and is responsible for maintaining the quality and quantity of work undertaken individually or as part of a team;

 exercises skills requiring sound knowledge of and experience in piggery procedures and displays considerable individual judgment and initiative within established principles and practices;

 may work individually or as part of a team or may supervise and co-ordinate the duties of employees at an equal or lower level;

 understands and applies quality control techniques; and

 may be required to undertake any task(s) listed in clause 36.1.

36.7 Senior piggery attendant level 6 (PA6)

(a) A Senior piggery attendant level 6 (PA6) is:

 an employee appointed by the employer who has completed a minimum of:

 3 years’ relevant adult experience in the industry; or

 an accredited traineeship or equivalent formal training plus 2 years’ relevant adult experience in the industry.

(b) An employee at this level:

 performs a range of tasks that may vary from established techniques and practices under minimal supervision and guidance and must be competent in all facets of duties required;

 may be required to work alone, lead work units and/or co-ordinate, supervise and/or train new employees;

 may require extensive individual judgment and initiative within established management guidelines;

 understands and applies quality control and assurance techniques;

 may supervise and/or train employees at all levels up to and including PA5; and

 may be required to undertake any task(s) listed in clause 36.1.

36.8 Senior piggery attendant level 7 (PA7)

(a) A Senior piggery attendant level 7 (PA7) is:

 an employee appointed by the employer who has completed a minimum of:

 3 years’ adult experience in the pig breeding industry; and

 has completed the New South Wales Technical and Further Education Rural Trades Course or other Trades Certificate and/or course(s) accredited and recognised by the Pig Industry Training Council.

(b) An employee at this level:

 performs a range of tasks relating to the purchase, installation and programmed maintenance of plant, fittings and fixtures and mechanical, hydraulic or electrical equipment and machinery;

 exercises discretion within the scope of this level and the employee’s qualifications/training;

 provides trade guidance and assistance to levels PA5 and PA6 as part of a work team;

 works with minimal direction or supervision and is responsible for the quality of their own work;

 exercises trade skills relevant to the requirements of the level;

 co-ordinates and supervises non-trades employees within a work team; and

 may be required to undertake any task(s) listed in clause 36.1.