How to become a Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
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.
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
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services). Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services) (AMP30216); Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) (AMP30815); Certificate III in Meat Processing (Smallgoods - General) (AMP30916); Certificate III in Meat Processing (Smallgoods - Manufacture) (AMP31016)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $80,600 a year
- About 14,500 people work in this job group now, and about 15,900 are projected by 2035. (+9.5%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Butcher or Smallgoods Maker?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services); Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher); Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services).
How much does a Butcher or Smallgoods Maker earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $80,600 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Butcher or Smallgoods Maker a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 14,500 to about 15,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Butcher or Smallgoods Maker?
Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services); Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher); Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services).
Will AI change the work of a Butcher or Smallgoods Maker?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04