Dairy industry Labour Agreement

As an employer, you must show that you meet the following requirements.

Visa

You can sponsor skilled overseas workers on these visas:

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) after a three year transition period
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Occupations

You can only nominate the occupations of ‘Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker’ and and ‘Dairy Cattle Farm Operator’.

There is no Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code for these occupations.

Occupation tasks

Your sponsored skilled overseas worker completes the tasks of a ‘Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker’. These tasks are:

• plan all aspects of milk production processes including management and coordination of milking shed routines
• coordinate and implement reproductive programs, including artificial insemination and herd fertility management, detection of oestrous and pregnancy
• assist in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved livestock strains
• implement calving procedures, including the ability to physically conduct unsupervised internal assessments to minimise the incidence of still births or injuries to cow or calf
• plan and manage pastures and crops for livestock production and develop livestock feeding plans
• analyse produce to set and maintain standards of quality
• supervise animal health programs, handle sick or injured animals and maintain an optimal environment for the wellbeing of livestock consistent with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Cattle
• supervise work routines and staff performance of less experienced employees such as an assistant farmhand
• implement and monitor quality assurance procedures, ensuring compliance and that all relevant documentation is kept current
• operate milking plant and equipment in a safe manner, undertake multiple functions including reading and recording instrument information for example, milk vat temperatures and cow numbers and matching cow ID to calves to produce a quality milk outcome
• operate a dairy recycling system
• calf feeding, including tubing colostrum
• assisting with and/or performing irrigation works
• inspect livestock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae
• transport, handle and store chemicals; prepare and apply chemicals
• operate farm and dairy shed-related vehicles, plant and equipment
• identify and report equipment not operating normally; maintenance of plant and machinery
• where appropriately qualified, perform maintenance works on sheds, fixtures and fittings, fences and surrounds and install new or replacement equipment or fittings
• transport stock, feed and equipment, if appropriately licensed
• maintain records to ensure accurate information for stock and inventory control
• ensure food safety regulatory requirements are met
• contribute to and implement OHS requirements
• computer literate—operate computer equipment and software packages requiring set-up and basic function operation
• coordinate the response to emergencies for both occupational health and safety emergencies and animal welfare emergencies
• participate in enterprise/industry training sessions and workshops as required

Your sponsored skilled overseas worker completes the tasks of a ‘Dairy Cattle Farm Operator’. These tasks are:

• operate milking plant and equipment
• identify and report equipment not operating normally
• work co-operatively as part of a team
• read and record instrument information, i.e. Milk vat temperatures and cow numbers
• understands the principles of safe working
• undertake multiple functions, produce a quality outcome e.g. farm machinery
• maintain machinery, undertake adjustments and size changes
• solve problems and make decisions within given guidelines
• know general scientific terminology and assist with processes such as machine repair, artificial insemination, fertiliser mix design etc.
• operate standard measuring equipment
• operate computerised systems using menu options
• contribute to the team in a specific role, providing input and assisting other team members, and
• work at times without supervision.