Livestock Transport Training

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Transport and Logistics

Livestock Transport Training

This project developed a new Skill Set that sets a benchmark for nationally consistent training and industry best practice in Livestock transport.

Anticipated completion 12 October 2026
About the project

Project Completion

Skills Ministers have endorsed updated training products in the Livestock Transport Training project which developed a new Skill Set for livestock transport drivers that establishes a benchmark for nationally consistent training and industry best practice. 

Livestock transport is a critical component of Australia’s road freight industry, with more than 14.9 million tonnes of livestock moved across the country each year. Throughout the production cycle, individual animals may be transported multiple times, making safe, compliant, and efficient transport essential to both animal welfare and supply chain productivity. 

Transporting livestock safely requires specialised knowledge and skills. Drivers must understand animal welfare obligations, livestock handling practices, biosecurity requirements, and heavy vehicle operating requirements. Recognising the need for nationally consistent training, the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) engaged Industry Skills Australia (ISA) to support the development of a dedicated Livestock Transport Driver Skill Set. 

The need for improved livestock transport training has also been highlighted by Jobs and Skills Australia, which identified opportunities to strengthen the delivery and uptake of formal training across the food supply chain workforce.

What was delivered

The new TLISS00242 Livestock Transport Driver Skill Set comprises four Units of Competency: 

  • Handle livestock using basic techniques 
  • Care for livestock in transit* 
  • Apply low risk heavy vehicle driving behaviours 
  • Follow work health and safety procedures. 

The Skill Set aligns with: 

  • Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock 
  • National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Regulatory Advice for Livestock Transport. 

Through industry research, stakeholder consultation, and workforce analysis, ISA has also identified future training and assessment priorities to support the ongoing development of workforce capability across the sector. 

* The Care for livestock in transit unit has been updated to strengthen coverage of drivers’ obligations related to animal welfare and biosecurity requirements. 

As a result of feedback received during consultation the following has been updated/developed: 

  • Foundation Skills information has been included in the TLISS00242 Livestock Transport Driver Skill Set. 
  • Content has been added/strengthened/amended in TLID0026 Care for livestock in transit related to: 
  • stock handling 
  • care for livestock during loading and unloading 
  • risk identification and control 
  • transport documentation 
  • Content has been developed for the TLI Companion Volume Implementation Guide to cover implementation of TLID0026 in different contexts. 

The products were developed by a Technical Committee of subject matter experts, in consultation with industry stakeholders to ensure the training products reflect current industry practices, regulatory requirements and workforce needs. 

Skills Ministers endorsed the Skill Set as part of the TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package (Release 17.0) on ​12 October 2026 ​ 

Access the endorsed Training Package materials 

What does this mean for industry?

The Livestock Transport Driver Skill Set provides a benchmark for nationally consistent training and industry best practice, helping to address longstanding gaps in the availability and accessibility of livestock transport training. 

By bringing together key competencies from multiple training packages into a single, nationally recognised training product, the Skill Set provides employers, drivers, and training providers with a clearer pathway to developing and validating the specialist capabilities required for livestock transport. 

The new Skill Set supports: 

  • Improved consistency in livestock transport training across Australia 
  • Stronger alignment with animal welfare, biosecurity, and regulatory requirements 
  • Greater confidence in the skills and knowledge of livestock transport drivers 
  • Enhanced workforce capability and professionalism across the sector 
  • Improved access to quality training, particularly in regional and rural areas 
  • Better engagement between the livestock transport industry and the vocational education and training (VET) system. 

Ultimately, the new training products support the development of a safer, more skilled, and more sustainable livestock transport workforce while providing a foundation for future training and workforce development initiatives across the industry. 

What does this mean for Registered Training Organisations?

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) delivering livestock transport training will need to update their training and assessment resources to align with the new Skill Set and associated training products. 

To assist implementation, the updated Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) provides: 

  • Mapping information detailing changes to qualifications, skill sets and units 
  • Implementation guidance for trainers, assessors and RTOs 
  • Information on training package products 

These resources are designed to support a smooth transition to the revised training products.

Next steps

Industry Skills Australia has proposed a second phase project in consultation with industry to support implementation of the new Skill Set. This project may include: 

  • Development of training and assessment resources 
  • Exploring innovative and flexible training and assessment methods, and better utilisation of industry experts, that support delivery in remote areas 
  • Building RTO capacity and capability to deliver the Skill Set.