Abattoir Worker - Boner / Slaughterman / Butcher / Meat Inspector (GESGM831211)

Overview

This opportunity offers the chance to join a well-established remote meat processing operation that plays a vital role in supporting local communities across West Arnhem Land. Based in Gunbalanya, the role provides hands-on experience within a domestic-scale abattoir and retail butcher environment, processing beef and buffalo for local, regional, and remote Northern Territory markets.

Working with our client means becoming part of a purpose-driven enterprise that balances commercial operations with community benefit. The facility operates in partnership with Traditional Owners and entities associated with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, contributing to sustainable economic development, local employment, and skills transfer on Indigenous land.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals seeking stable employment in a remote setting, professional growth through ongoing training, and the chance to live and work in one of Australia’s most culturally rich and environmentally significant regions. Employees are supported with accommodation, meals, and utilities, and are encouraged to take pride in high standards of workmanship, safety, and cultural respect.

What you'll do

• Slaughter livestock in accordance with animal welfare legislation, food safety standards, and religious requirements where applicable

• Operate restrainer, stunning, and switching equipment to stun livestock, direct carcasses, and transfer meat from rails to processing areas

• Sever jugular veins of stunned animals to drain blood and facilitate dressing

• Slit, eviscerate, trim, and prepare carcasses by removing internal organs, hides, heads, and head meat

• Wash, scrape, trim, and remove foreign material, blood, bruises, clots, and internal fat from carcasses

• Cut sides and quarters into standard commercial cuts (e.g. rumps, flanks, shoulders)

• Perform boning, slicing, and trimming to separate meat, fat, tissue, and bone

• Process, pack, and prepare meat products for retail and wholesale distribution

• Carry out daily cleaning and sanitation of meat works, tools, and equipment in line with hygiene regulations and SWP protocols

What you'll need

• Certificate III in Bovine Meat Inspection or relevant meat processing qualification

• Experience in beef and buffalo processing

• Humane slaughter of cattle and buffalo in accordance with animal welfare legislation

• Carcass dressing, boning, slicing, trimming, and packing of meat products

• Preparation and packaging of meat for retail and wholesale markets

• Strong understanding of food safety standards, hygiene regulations, and SWP protocols

• Strict adherence to daily cleaning and sanitation requirements for meat works and equipment

• Customer service experience in a retail butcher environment

• Retail register operation and end-of-day balancing (advantageous)

• Ability to work independently, show initiative, and communicate effectively

• Experience supervising, mentoring, or training other workers

• Current driver’s licence (required)

• Rigid truck licence (advantageous but not essential)

Benefits

• Free accommodation, meals, and utilities 

• Ongoing training opportunities throughout the year 

• Opportunity to live and work in a unique remote Indigenous community 

• Access to Kakadu National Park, Jabiru, and surrounding West Arnhem Land attractions 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and encourage Aboriginal people to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity and supports work-life balance.