Queensland Wool TAG Group chair Mike Pratt
SHEEP industry workers attending the first wool classing course in Queensland for more than 25 years will be dodging a $13,000 cost for similar training interstate.
A one-off opportunity for subsidised wool classer training in Blackall Queensland will finally be offered to a limited number of participants from next month.
But Queensland Wool Technical Advisory Group chair Mike Pratt has persisted and is confident the course on 9 February by NSW TAFE will proceed after three years of planning and 27 years after the last course in the state.
He said Australian Wool Innovation has been funding shearer and wool handler training in Queensland, but there has been no funding for wool classing.
“So there was a void there we needed to fill.
“We are finally getting the above wool classing course off the ground, it’s been a hell of a ride getting to this point dealing with the various government departments and organisations,” he said.
“We still have half a dozen spare places and as this will most likely be the last chance to attend a course in Queensland we simply want to make sure all those who may be interested know about it.”
Of the 30 people who signed up for the proposed 2025 course, 19 have hung in for the 2026 course and six more places are available, Mr Pratt said.
“It’s going to be the last course, I can’t see it ever continuing … but if a Queenslander wants to do a course in New South Wales it would cost them $13,000, whereas it is free for a person with a NSW address.”
However, he said Australian and New Zealand citizens residing in Queensland are eligible for subsidised funding for the Blackall course, but New Zealanders must be a temporary resident with the required visa and work permits, and also have experience within the wool industry. The course will be conducted over 5 x 4 day training sessions, from February to July 2026, with ‘in shed’ training and assessment.
Mr Pratt said 2026 course applicants require photographs of both sides of their driver’s licenses and a letter from their employer evidencing wool industry experience.
“Two shearers who are getting to an age where they can’t go on shearing forever are going to attend the course and continue in the industry as classers.”
The course fee is based on an individual’s circumstances, with reductions for any credits toward their qualification.
“We’re hoping to keep the cost as a very reasonable amount.”
Mr Pratt believes there is unlikely to be another wool classing in Queensland because the state’s TAFE body is not interested because of the size of the market, and said a key supporter of the Blackall course, the trainer, is nearing retirement after teaching wool classing for 40 years, “and without that commitment it wouldn’t go ahead.”
Mr Pratt acknowledged the Queensland Department of Trade, Employment and Training for allocating substantial funding to ensure the delivery of a western Queensland-based course. He also acknowledged the support of Australian Wool Exchange wool classer registrar Fiona Raleigh in organising the course.
Classer training interest indicates Merino flock is holding
Mr Pratt said although the Queensland Merino flock has reduced, the interest in the course indicated flock numbers were holding and he expected more demand for wool classers in the long-term.
“Merinos, being a dual purpose animal and totally adapted to western Queensland conditions are now yielding returns of up to $70 a head from their wool and about $60 for an unshorn wether weaner when sold.”
He believed the decline in the Merino flock in the state would “definitely have bottomed out.”
“Nobody now would be transferring from Merinos into meat sheep, whereas last year and the year before there was quite a big transition.”
To register your interest or obtain further information please contact Mike Pratt, chair, Queensland Wool Technical Advisory Group, mobile: 0427 585 939 or email: [email protected]
The AWEX claimed 14,500 registered wool classers in 2023. 120 bales of wool each per year. Six days work in a four-stand shed. I believe there would be more full time farriers in Australia than wool classers