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Are you looking for a career where you can play a key role in a more sustainable world, while building lifelong connections in a global community?

Do you want a career where you can: make friends, travel, work outdoors, or indoors, in rural regions or some of the world’s most exciting cities?

Explore these resources to learn about career opportunities in the wool industry.

Resources

Your Future in Wool - Careers Booklet

This guide gives you the tools to explore various jobs and opportunities to step into a fulfilling career in the wool industry.

Career Factsheet

The Australian wool industry provides thousands of jobs both in Australia and overseas. No matter where your interests lie, there’s a career for you.

Career Satisfaction – Lesson Plan

Students explore the wide range of careers available in the wool industry and to identify potential options that align with their interests and aspirations.

Videos

There are many pathways into a career in the wool industry, whether it’s straight from school, vocational education and training, industry training or university study.

The wool industry is an integral part of Australia’s heritage. The Merriman Shearing School, is determined to keep the tradition alive for the next generation, while providing students with an opportunity for a better future.

Meet Designer Saul Nash

Saul Nash founded his luxury menswear brand in 2018, creating technical, contemporary sportswear for movement, inspired by his background as a dancer and choreographer. In 2022, Saul’s designs with wool won the prestigious International Woolmark Prize.

Considering a gap year?

The wool industry can be a great opportunity for gap year experiences or a long term career. There are a range of opportunities that pay well from your first day on the job, and are a great way to meet new people, work in different locations and stay active.

Articles

Ag Career Start

AgCAREERSTART is a 10–12-month program placing young Australians aged 17-25 on farms across Australia. The program links farmers looking for workers with AgCAREERSTART participants that are keen to start their career in agriculture.

Agrifutures – Young people perspectives in agriculture

Young people have a key role to play in the future of our Australian rural industries. By investing in, listening to and working with young people, we can better support agriculture to thrive, now and into the future.

Humans of Agriculture – Gabby Neal

"I grew up in the country and my schooling and career were based in the city, I experienced the disconnect between what people were eating and wearing and the realities of where their food and fibre comes from. I knew that whatever I was going to do, I had to offer a genuine point of difference through education." - Gabby Neal

Humans of Agriculture – Women in Wool

"I had worked on the Farm for about four years before I learnt to shear. I attended an AWI funded shearing school at Steam Plains in Deniliquin…Dad is a self-taught shearer and wanted me to learn properly so it was easier on my body." - Vanessa Bell

Rewarding Careers in the Wool Industry

Beyond the Bale is Australian Wool Innovation’s quarterly magazine for AWI shareholders, other wool levy payers and wool industry stakeholders. This edition includes rewarding careers in the wool industry and future female leaders in wool.

The next generation in the wool industry

The International Wool Textile Organisation has been running a successful Young Professionals programme since 2012. Each participant is matched with a senior member of the industry to gain valuable insights and experience, helping them grow as industry leaders.

Career Pages

AWI Graduate Program

The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Graduate Training Program is designed for graduates from a broad range of disciplines that have a background in, or connection with, the Australian wool industry. The 18-month program starts each year in March and provides the successful applicant/s with a thorough understanding of the wool supply chain from fibre to fashion.