Shearers are the backbone of the wool industry. Their job involves using special tools to remove wool from livestock such as sheep, goats, and alpacas. They need to be able to handle animals carefully to ensure a clean and efficient shearing process while looking after the wellbeing of the animals.
If you’re physically fit, enjoy working with animals, and are prepared to live and work in a rural setting, a career in shearing might be perfect for you.
What skills do I need as a shearer?
- Physical fitness & stamina
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Ability to handle animals gently but firmly
- Effective communication skills
- Resilience & toughness
- Not afraid to get dirty
- Methodical & thorough
What does the job involve?
- Prepare animals for shearing by moving them from holding pens
- Select and use appropriate tools for shearing
- Shear wool from animals in one clean piece
- Keep animals calm and comfortable during the shearing process
- Inspect animals for cuts and treat them if needed
- Return sheared animals to pens and perform final checks
- Maintain and clean shearing tools and workspaces
- Use specialised equipment for high-quality shearing of stud animals
What industries do shearers typically work in?
What Career Cluster do shearers belong to?
Most shearers belong to the Maker Cluster, due to their hands-on work with animals and equipment. Makers are our ‘doers’ who get things done, value resilience and hard work, and are generally adaptable and reliable.
What kind of lifestyle can I expect?
Shearers usually work full-time, averaging around 43 hours per week. Part-time opportunities are less common, with only about 36% of shearers working part-time.
The job involves significant physical labor and is typically based in rural or regional areas, so you’ll generally be on your feet all day due to the hands-on nature of the job. You also have to be confident and comfortable handling animals – a gentle but firm hand is essential for this role.
Shearers also generally live where they work, so you’d be living and breathing a country lifestyle. If you’re outdoorsy, like farm work and don’t mind getting a little dirty, you’ll thrive in this role.
How to become a shearer
While no formal qualifications are required, you’ll need to gain relevant experience. This can be taught on the job, but completing courses or vocational qualifications can give you a head-start and make you a more competitive applicant.
To become a shearer, start by completing at least Year 10, with a focus on English, Maths, Biology, and any agricultural subjects if available. Gaining work experience on a farm or in an agriculture-related setting is really important for getting hands-on exposure to animal handling. You might also like to obtain an introductory qualification in shearing or animal handling to make sure you have what it takes for the job.
Once you have the foundational knowledge, you could then start a paid apprenticeship or begin working as an entry-level shearer to gain practical experience and refine your skills.
What can I do now to work towards this career?
If you’re in high school and you’d like to find out if a career as a shearer is right for you, here’s a few things you could do right now:
- Get some experience: Try to find a part-time job or volunteer on a farm to learn how to work with animals.
- Get fit: Start exercising regularly to build up your strength and stamina, which will help with the physical demands of shearing.
- Talk to professionals: Contact local shearers or farmers and ask if you can shadow them or learn more about their job.
Where can I find out more?
- Shearing Contractors Association of Australia (SCAA)
- American Sheep Industry Association
- National Sheep Association (UK)
- New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association
Similar careers to shearer
- Wool Classer
- Farmer
- Farm Assistant
- Agronomist
- Vet Nurse
- Veterinarian
- Horse Trainer
- Dog Groomer
Find out more about alternative careers here.