Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$72,700
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Selects, cuts, trims, prepares and arranges meat for sale or supply, operates meat or smallgoods processing machines, or manages the processes in the production of smallgoods.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Selects and inspects meat to ensure quality and freshness
- Cuts, trims and prepares meat according to customer requirements
- Operates meat processing machines such as slicers, grinders and tenderisers
- Weighs, labels and packages meat products for sale or supply
- Maintains cleanliness and hygiene standards in meat preparation and display areas
- Manages inventory and orders meat supplies as needed
- Creates and maintains attractive displays of meat products
- Assists customers to select and purchase meat products
- Prepares and produces smallgoods such as sausages, bacon and ham
- Monitors the smallgoods production process to ensure quality, hygiene and efficiency
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services)
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Meat Processing (Smallgoods - General)
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Meat Processing (Smallgoods - Manufacture)
Occupation ready
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
31
ACT · May 2026
1
VIC · May 2026
29
NT · May 2026
2
SA · May 2026
12
NSW · May 2026
37
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+4%
652 projected jobs
to 2035
+10%
1,382 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Butcher or Smallgoods Maker.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Sydney - Inner South West
895 estimated employed
- 1
Sydney - Inner South West
895 employed
NSW
+13.01%
year on year
- 2
Sydney - Blacktown
859 employed
NSW
+20.65%
year on year
- 3
Mid North Coast
598 employed
NSW
+5.47%
year on year
- 4
Riverina
586 employed
NSW
+21.33%
year on year
- 5
Perth - South East
563 employed
WA
+23.74%
year on year
WiseAffiliate linkMoving abroad to study?
Pay tuition and send money home at the real exchange rate with Wise.
Open a free Wise account
AiraloAffiliate linkNeed a local eSIM when you arrive?
Stay connected from day one with an affordable Airalo eSIM — 200+ countries covered.
Get your eSIMPossible next career moves
Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
15,130
Moved in from another occupation
1,690
Moved to another occupation
1,880
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
2
points
- 5
1
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 322231
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.