Livestock Transport Driver - Career Advice - Transport and Travel

A Livestock Driver transports farm animals (usually sheep, cattle and pigs) between farms, abattoirs and ports. FutureGrowthModerate

ANZSCO ID: 733111

Alternative names: Livestock Haulier,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

enjoy practical work
mechanical aptitude
able to drive safely
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
meet any age restrictions that may apply

truck

Duties and Tasks

Loading and unloading livestock, while applying best practice methods to avoid injury and undue stress to animals
Performing routine vehicle inspection and maintenance
Maintaining log books and records
drive defensively and handle hazardous road conditions
couple and uncouple trailers
perform pre- and mid-trip vehicle and security inspections
drive vehicles to their destination and unload
carry out administrative duties, such as checking items against the inventory, recording damage, collecting payments and issuing receipts
enter information into in-cab electronic equipment to record required trip information

Working Conditions

The work can involve long hours on the road, often in rural and remote areas, and can be physically demanding. The ability to drive on unsealed roads with very large loads is essential. Falls from livestock crates and trailers during the loading, checking and unloading of stock can result in death or serious injuries needing hospital treatment and time away from work. In road freight transport in 2010-2012, falls either from a height or on the same level were the cause of 39% of injuries resulting in 10 or more days lost from work (WorkCoverSA income maintenance claims data). These situations may arise on farms and roadsides, or at saleyards, feedlots, spelling yards, abattoirs, truck wash-down stations and depots.

This profession often requires early starts, long shifts, days away from home, as well as travelling long distances to country, interstate or remote areas. Some trucks are equipped with bunks, televisions, refrigerators and ergonomically designed seats.

Loading into Road Trains

Tools and Technologies

Truck Types:

B-Doubles (3 decks), Type 1s (4 decks) and Type 2s (6 decks)

Truck types

Education and training/entrance requirements

Entry Qualifications

Licence:
Relevant truck licence requirements exist for type of vehicle and product being transported. In addition, regulatory requirements for the Land Transport of Livestock apply to drivers.

There are different licensing requirements for this occupation (for example, Medium Rigid, Heavy Rigid or Heavy Combination).

Workers also need to comply with various regulatory requirements (such as Chain of Responsibility Legislation and Fatigue Management Legislation).

Training qualification:
Certificate III in Driving Operations

Employment Opportunities

There are many career opportunities available to a Truck Driver, across the Transport and Logistics Industry. As a Livestock Driver, certain licensing requirements apply depending on the type of vehicle driven. You must also be comfortable handling and transporting animals. All truck drivers must have accurate driving skills, good customer service and communication skills and be willing to comply with regulations and legislation and present themselves professionally.

Did You Know?

August 2016

Mepungah driver Joel Haberfield told the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV) conference, in Torquay, the app would show drivers saleyard layouts, including the position of ramps, entry and exit points, truck washdown facilities and even showers and toilets.

“It can be very hard when you rock up to a saleyards you don’t know,” Mr Haberfield said.

“And it doesn’t matter how many times you have been there, when you are grumpy and tired, things can happen.”

Mr Haberfield’s idea for an app was being developed by Jesse Kelly, of VNode Technology, and was likely to be full operational, within the next two months.

He said he had recently been to Bendigo for the first time and found it difficult to locate everything he needed.

“One of the things I have found is when you are huffing and puffing, you need a good shower – when you are running around with a torch and a phone, trying to find the saleyard showers, it’s pretty hard.”

He said the app would also include opening and closing hours and it was hoped it could be extended to grain industry carriers, as well.

“A lot of drivers don’t know what time the saleyards shut, so it will help avoiding making a phone call at midnight,” he said.

“With this app, its going to save drivers - if we can make it easier loading and unloading, it’s a positive thing for drivers.”

LRTAV secretary Melisa Champness said the app should be available, for both Iphone and Android, in about eight weeks time.

“It’ll include postcode, or location, of livestock facilities – such as saleyards or meatworks,” she said.

For grain transporters it would include sweep out facilities.

“When it is up and running, it should be quite a powerful tool, for all drivers to use.”

Ms Champness said it was also intended to include saleyard ramp numbers.
(Source: Stock & Land)