Australia’s wool industry is facing a major crisis brought about by the growing exodus of experienced sheep shearers from the industry. Low wages, poor working conditions and the attraction of better paid jobs in other industries means shearers are leaving the industry at an unprecedented rate. According to the Australian Farmer’s Federation, there are now around 7,000 shearers working in the industry, as opposed to the 30,000 employed in the 1980s. Previously, farmers were able to make up the shortfall by employing shearers from New Zealand, where the shearing season is that much shorter. However, a similar crisis in that country meant this source of labour could no longer be relied upon. Australia's 45,000 wool farmers fear that unless drastic action is taken to recruit new blood into the industry, there will not be enough shearers for their 130 million sheep.
