Butcher

A Butcher produces meat to sell in a butchery, supermarket or other specialty store. You might cut meat to size, prepare marinades, crumbs and other seasonings or remove fat and bones. Butchers might prepare special orders for customers or prepare other meat-based products for sale. Butchers liaise with customers and suppliers and ensure stock is available when required.

Butchers should have strong technical skills and be able to work as part of a team. You’ll need to have good attention to detail and should be able to manage your time well. Butchers require good customer service skills and should be excellent communicators. It’s important that you are organised and can prioritise your tasks.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $65,000
Skill level Beginner

How do I become a butcher?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
AMP30815

Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
Apprenticeship, Blended, On Campus, Traineeship
3 - 4 years
$0 - $14,610
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Abattoir Knife Hand Butcher Abattoir Labourer
Apprentice Butcher Meat Process Worker Meat Inspector
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Abattoir Knife Hand Butcher Abattoir Labourer Apprentice Butcher Meat Process Worker Meat Inspector + 3 more
AMP30316

Certificate III in Meat Processing (Meat Safety)
Traineeship
24 months
$4,400
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Inspector Meat Processor Butcher
Food Safety Officer Food Safety Supervisor Meat Packer
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Inspector Meat Processor Butcher Food Safety Officer Food Safety Supervisor Meat Packer + 3 more
AMP30216

Certificate III in Meat Processing (Food Services)
Blended, On Campus, Traineeship
24 - 48 months
$0 - $4,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Food Safety Officer Meat Processor Butcher
Food Service Worker Meat Packer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Food Safety Officer Meat Processor Butcher Food Service Worker Meat Packer + 2 more
AMP50221

Diploma of Meat Processing
Traineeship
12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Inspector Abattoir Supervisor Production Manager
Butcher Food Safety Officer Compliance Officer
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Inspector Abattoir Supervisor Production Manager Butcher Food Safety Officer Compliance Officer + 3 more
AMP30116

Certificate III in Meat Processing (Boning Room)
Blended, On Campus, Traineeship
6 - 48 months
$0 - $4,100
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Inspector Meat Process Worker Butcher
Abattoir Knife Hand Machine Operator
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Inspector Meat Process Worker Butcher Abattoir Knife Hand Machine Operator + 2 more
AMP30616

Certificate III in Meat Processing (General)
Traineeship
24 months
$0 - $3,800
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Butcher Meat Inspector Meat Process Worker
Apprentice Butcher Meat Packer Meat Processor Abattoir Labourer Machine Operator
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Butcher Meat Inspector Meat Process Worker Apprentice Butcher Meat Packer Meat Processor Abattoir Labourer Machine Operator + 5 more
AMP30916

Certificate III in Meat Processing (Smallgoods - General)
Traineeship
24 months
$0 - $6,700
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Butcher Meat Process Worker Food Process Worker
Machine Operator Safety Officer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Butcher Meat Process Worker Food Process Worker Machine Operator Safety Officer + 2 more
AMPSS00018

Game Harvester Skill Set
Distance, Online
4 weeks
$1,700 - $2,753
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Processor Wildlife Management Officer Pest Controller
Environmental Compliance Officer Butcher Station Hand
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Processor Wildlife Management Officer Pest Controller Environmental Compliance Officer Butcher Station Hand + 3 more
AMP30622

Certificate III in Meat Processing
Blended, On Campus
12 - 24 months
$1,846 - $6,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Process Worker Butcher Meat Inspector
Quality Controller Machine Operator
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Process Worker Butcher Meat Inspector Quality Controller Machine Operator + 2 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Apprentice Butcher

An Apprentice Butcher prepares cuts, adds seasonings, takes orders, and trains under a butcher, needing safety, teamwork, and customer skills.

Avg yearly income $49,920
Skill level Beginner

Common questions

How much does a Butcher earn?

In Australia, a full time Butcher generally earns $1,250 per week ($65,000 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for a Butcher?

This industry has seen stable employment numbers in recent years. There are currently 17,300 people employed as a Butcher in Australia, and the same number were employed in this industry five years ago. Butchers may find work across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Butcher?

If you’re interested in a career as a Butcher, consider enrolling in a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher). This course covers a range of topics including using knives and cutting tools and trimming and cutting different types of meat and poultry. You’ll also learn about personal safety, selling meat to customers and cleaning and sanitation.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

Choosing a security licence course in Australia: A step-by-step guide for jobseekers

10th November 2023

What can you do with a Certificate III in Retail?

13th October 2020

Career spotlight: Hospitality professionals

17th September 2019

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