Key Takeaways
- • Skills ministers endorsed the TLISS00242 Livestock Transport Driver Skill Set on October 12 as part of Release 17.0 of the Transport and Logistics Training Package, creating a nationally recognised training benchmark for livestock truck drivers.
- • The skill set was developed by Industry Skills Australia (ISA) with the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) and state partners, and covers four units: basic livestock handling, caring for livestock in transit, low-risk heavy vehicle driving behaviours, and work health and safety procedures.
- • The revised 'Care for livestock in transit' unit strengthens coverage of animal welfare and biosecurity obligations and aligns with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for land transport of livestock and NHVR regulatory advice.
- • Designed for both new and existing drivers, the package gives operators a clearer benchmark for developing and verifying specialist driver capabilities.
- • ISA plans a second phase that may include training and assessment resources, flexible delivery for remote areas, and provider capacity building; registered training organisations must update their resources to align.
Summary
Livestock truck drivers in Australia now have a nationally recognised training pathway intended to strengthen specialist skills, improve animal welfare and give operators greater confidence in the drivers moving their stock. According to the source article, skills ministers endorsed the TLISS00242 Livestock Transport Driver Skill Set on October 12 as part of Release 17.0 of the Transport and Logistics Training Package.
The skill set was developed by Industry Skills Australia (ISA) with the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, alongside state partners and key stakeholders. It consolidates the competencies needed for livestock transport into a single training product and is designed for both new and existing drivers. It covers safe animal handling and transport alongside heavy vehicle safety, through four units: basic livestock handling, caring for livestock in transit, applying low-risk heavy vehicle driving behaviours, and following work health and safety procedures. The package sits within the driving operations training pathway as a focused module drivers can complete as part of their development.
The revised 'Care for livestock in transit' unit strengthens coverage of animal welfare and biosecurity obligations, including changes addressing stock handling, loading and unloading, risk control and transport documentation. The package also aligns with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for land transport of livestock and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's (NHVR) regulatory advice for livestock transport.
The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) paid tribute to Athol Carter, Frasers Livestock's Central Queensland Region Manager and a QTA Director, who was instrumental in launching the first training program pilot in 2022 with support from Goondiwindi Regional Council, Senator Susan McDonald and Frasers Livestock Transport. QTA Chief Operating Officer Lauren Hamilton said the approval provides "a benchmark for a nationally consistent training course based on industry best practice," and that a consistent foundation will help employers develop staff, support new entrants and strengthen safe practices nationwide. The Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV), which contributed practical industry knowledge through the technical committee, called it an important first step toward nationally consistent training.
Regional differences were a key consideration during consultation, including feedback from Northern Territory operators. ISA's submission notes the driving unit can be delivered to address regional conditions, including unsealed roads. ISA plans a second phase with industry that may include developing training and assessment resources, exploring flexible delivery methods for remote areas and building providers' capacity. Registered training organisations delivering livestock transport training will need to update their training and assessment resources to align with the new Skill Set and associated products.
The skill set was developed by Industry Skills Australia (ISA) with the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, alongside state partners and key stakeholders. It consolidates the competencies needed for livestock transport into a single training product and is designed for both new and existing drivers. It covers safe animal handling and transport alongside heavy vehicle safety, through four units: basic livestock handling, caring for livestock in transit, applying low-risk heavy vehicle driving behaviours, and following work health and safety procedures. The package sits within the driving operations training pathway as a focused module drivers can complete as part of their development.
The revised 'Care for livestock in transit' unit strengthens coverage of animal welfare and biosecurity obligations, including changes addressing stock handling, loading and unloading, risk control and transport documentation. The package also aligns with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for land transport of livestock and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's (NHVR) regulatory advice for livestock transport.
The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) paid tribute to Athol Carter, Frasers Livestock's Central Queensland Region Manager and a QTA Director, who was instrumental in launching the first training program pilot in 2022 with support from Goondiwindi Regional Council, Senator Susan McDonald and Frasers Livestock Transport. QTA Chief Operating Officer Lauren Hamilton said the approval provides "a benchmark for a nationally consistent training course based on industry best practice," and that a consistent foundation will help employers develop staff, support new entrants and strengthen safe practices nationwide. The Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV), which contributed practical industry knowledge through the technical committee, called it an important first step toward nationally consistent training.
Regional differences were a key consideration during consultation, including feedback from Northern Territory operators. ISA's submission notes the driving unit can be delivered to address regional conditions, including unsealed roads. ISA plans a second phase with industry that may include developing training and assessment resources, exploring flexible delivery methods for remote areas and building providers' capacity. Registered training organisations delivering livestock transport training will need to update their training and assessment resources to align with the new Skill Set and associated products.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.