The Hume Workforce Development Committee Hume Regional Development Australia

1. The Hume Workforce Development CommitteeHume Regional Development Australia Agriculture Labour Market Snapshot (Equine – Horse Farming) Workforce Planning Australia | March 2012

2. Equine Industry (Horse breeding) – National Overview The equine industry can be divided into Horse breeding (ANZSIC uses the term horse farming) and Horse racing. Horse breeding (farming) businesses are involved in the following work. • Breeding thoroughbreds, which are predominately sold to trainers for the horse racing industry. • Breeding other horse breeds and ponies, which are predominantly sold to the public for recreational purposes. • Operating stud farms. Key Factors influencing the horse breeding industry are: • Growth in horse racing attendance • Domestic price of wheat feed, which influence operating costs • Value of the Australia Dollar which influences horse export prices • Dual Household disposable income. • The industry is sensitive to economic conditions and revenue and employment levels were affected by the • Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2009. The outbreak of equine influenza between August 2007 and December 2007 damaged the industry as horse movements were restricted, which delayed breeding at the start of the breeding season. The impact has lasted several years. Source: IBISWorld Horse Farming Industry Report, 2012

3. Equine Industry – Victoria Industry outlook • Horse farming output is measured by the number of horses sold at auction and foal crop. • In 2010-2011 4,646 yearlings were sold for a total price approaching $247 million. This compares with the sales peaking at a total price of more than $376 million before the GFC and equine flu outbreak. • The industry is expected to benefit from the growth in horse racing industry and forecast increases in prize money, value of yearlings and services fees. Total prize money has increased from 375.5 in 2006-2007 to 428.3 in 2010-2011. The increased prize money is providing an added incentive to race. • IBISWorld estimates that industry revenue will increase by 7.5% per year until 2016-2017. Employers • There are an estimated 2,687 horse farming businesses in Australia. One quarter of them, approximately, 671 businesses are based in Victoria. • Business numbers are stable. During the equine influenza outbreak some smaller business left and some consolidation of businesses and international players has occurred. • In 2011-12 there are an estimated 3,392 establishments involved in horse farming. This is projected to increase to 3,520 by 2016-17. Source: IBIS World Horse Farming Industry Report, 2012

4. Equine Industry – Hume Strathbogie Shire – The ‘horse capital’ Strathbogie Ranges is Victoria’s ‘Horse capital’ and centre for thoroughbred race horse breeding in Victoria. The North East Thoroughbreds, an association for thoroughbred breeders, has 29 members from farm stables, many of which are based in the Euroa, Nagambie and Seymour region. Eighteen thoroughbred stables are located in the Shire of Strathbogie according to the Shire website. International racehorse breeder and the largest operating in Australia, Darley, operates stables in Seymour, and Lindsay Park Racing Stables owned by David Hayes, is located outside Euroa. Equine education The main campus of the National Centre for Equine Education (NCEE) is based in Wangaratta. (The second campus is based in Cranbourne.) The Wangaratta Rural Industries Campus is NCEE’s main campus and is housed in a new 10.1 million dollar facility. NCEE offers courses in horse breeding, equine health, performance and racing from Certificate II level to Diploma level. NCEE is a Racing Victoria Ltd preferred provider. NCEE and RVL are working on how to attract and skill new entrants to the equine industry and to provide a training framework to support skills development and to strengthen career pathways in the industry. (NCEE) Source: Deloitte, Access Economic, 2011 North East Thorough Breds (www. northeastthoroughbreds.com.au) NCCE website www.ncee.edu.au,

5. Equine Sector Occupations Equine occupations with qualifications at the certificate and diploma level are listed below. Source: Racing Victoria ITAB www.racingvicotria.net.au cited September 2012

6. Employment in Horse farming (ANZSIC) Total Industry 279 (2006) 289 (2011) 2006 vs. 2011 Census Data 3.5% Wodonga Moira 0 (2006) 15 (2006) Indigo 10 (2006) 0 (2011) 10 (2011) Towong 3 (2011) 4 (2006) 7 (2011) G Shepparton 46 (2006) Benalla 34 (2011) 19 (2006) 16 (2011) Wangaratta Strathbogie 25 (2006) 92 (2006) 25 (2011) 110 (2011) Alpine 3 (2006) Mitchell 0 (2011) 49 (2006) Mansfield 66 (2011) 4 (2006) Murrindindi Hume Region Boundary Sub-region Boundary Local Government Area (LGA) Boundary 12 (2006) 6 (2011) 12 (2011) Source: ABS Census Data 2006

7. Equine VET Education Data Stable hand Horse Trainer

8. Stable Trainer

9. VET Course and Diversity of Enrolments In 2011 more than 160 people were enrolled in Stablehand qualifications. This number reflects the new qualification and opening of the National Centre for Equine Education (NCEE) in Wangaratta. The qualification is offered at the Certificate II level. More than 4% of enrolments are by people with disabilities and 4% by people with CALD backgrounds. In 2008 and 2011 there were zero enrolments by people who had identified themselves as indigenous. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

10. Stable handVET Enrolments Age Profile More than 160 people were enrolled in stable hand qualifications in 2011. Enrolments were spread across all age groups, and included 20 enrolments by people aged over 60. The largest number of enrolments were in by students in the 15-19 aged group. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

11. Horse Trainer

12. Horse TrainerVET Enrolments Age Profile Between 2008 and 2011 enrolments in horse trainer qualifications more than doubled. Enrolments were spread across all aged groups from the ‘15-19’ to ‘over 65’. The largest number of enrolments were in the 15-19 age groups. Enrolments increased in all age groups with the exception of 25-29 year olds. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

13. Horse trainerVET Course and Diversity Qualifications related to horse training are offered at the Certificate III, IV and Diploma levels. In 2011 the highest number of enrolments were in the Cert III in Racing (Advanced Stablehand) Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

14. Horse trainer QualificationsDiversity of VET Enrolments Between 2008 and 2011 enrolments by students in diversity groups showed a small increase. More than 6% of people enrolled in the courses were people with disabilities. Enrolments by people identified as indigenous dropped from 4% to zero between 2008 and 2011. Enrolments by people from CALD groups doubled between 2008 and 2011, though the numbers were still small. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

15. What this means After facing a few difficult years following the outbreak of Equine Influenza in 2007 the Horse breeding industry is expected to grow. This is being driven by a surge of interest in horse racing that is largely being driven by increased prize money. • There are approximately 671 horse farming businesses in Victoria. IBISWorld expects this number to increase over the next five years. • Strathbogie Ranges is Victoria’s ‘Horse capital’ and centre for thoroughbred race horse breeding in Victoria. • The North East Thoroughbreds , an association for thoroughbred breeders, has 29 stables as farm members, many of which are based in the Euroa, Nagambie and Seymour region. • The opening of the National Centre Equine Education (NCEE) in Wangaratta has increased opportunities for people in the region to gain formal qualifications in the industry. As well as developing new qualifications, Racing Victoria Ltd are looking at strengthening career pathways in the industry. • A comparison of 2006 and 2011 ABS Census data reveals employment in this small industry has increased in Strathbogie and Mitchell Shires. However, the figures could under-represent employment as some people may work part time in the field and list their occupation and industry in a broader categories. • Enrolments in VET courses has jumped since the opening of the NCEE. Local consultations would reveal the extent enrolments are by people living in the region. • Local consultations will also reveal whether employment in this industry is under-represented in the ABS Census data .

16. Data Quality and Limitations The data challenges included: Different definitions of industries / occupations between ABS, Industry Skills Councils and Monash. • ‘Health Care and Social Assistance’ (ABS) vs Community Services & Health • Different terms used for occupations, ‘personal carers’ or ‘health aid’ etc. Different Time periods used by different sources Old Data - ABS Census is now 6 years old. 2011 ABS Census data has been used where available. Lack of HUME region industry data particularly for industries where employers are predominantly private sector (e.g. Retail, manufacturing and Transport and Logistics) Lack of regional Skills Shortage Data – DEEWR lists are at the State level Changes in name and level of VET qualifications (training packages) Poor sourcing of data – The data source and date were unclear for some data sources. Limitation of Liability This Labour Market Snapshot has been compiled using data which, to the best of Workforce Planning Australia’s knowledge, was current and correct at the time of printing. WPA gives no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained herein nor its applicability to any specific circumstances. It is intended as a guide only and Workforce Planning Australia will not be liable to any person as a result of any actual or perceived inaccuracy contained in this report.