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RSPCA welcomes inclusion of mandatory video surveillance in updated Animal Welfare Certification System

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Join our team

Approved Farming Scheme Assessor

Our Assessors share the animal welfare values and ethics of the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme and are experienced farmers or audit/compliance professionals.

$80-$85K per year excl. superannuation
Full-time position, 38 hours per week
Office located in Deakin, ACT — extensive travel required for this role

The Role

This role reports to the Senior Assessor and is integral to the operations of the RSPCA Australia Certification Body, which provides certification services to the Scheme by conducting assessments and certifying participants seeking RSPCA Approved certification.

Our Assessors conduct assessments at farms and abattoirs to evaluate conformance with the requirements of RSPCA Standards in accordance with the Certification Body’s quality procedures. At the conclusion of an assessment the Assessor documents their findings through the production of an assessment report that contributes to the decision on the certification of the facility. The majority of assessments are conducted as part of our Poultry programs but Assessors with relevant expertise or interest also work on other RSPCA Approved Programs.

The Person

To be successful in this role you should have commercial livestock production experience at management, technical or quality assurance levels, or have demonstrated competency in auditing, farm assurance, quality assurance, or similar fields. Applicants with experience and expertise in slaughter and abattoir quality assurance are encouraged to apply.

You should have excellent relationship and stakeholder skills and a demonstrated focus on your own continual professional development. The successful applicant must be able to travel extensively for work purposes for extended periods and be resilient, and ready to take initiative and focus on objectives and delivery in the face of changing demands and conditions.

You should be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products, in particular Outlook and the Teams environment and have the ability to quickly learn new programs.

Our Assessors work largely independently and to be successful in this role you must be self-reliant, be able to administer and plan your own workload, and have strength of character that allows you to act responsibly even though these actions may not always be popular.

In return, our Assessors are trained extensively, provided great opportunity for professional development, and supported in their day-to-day work by our Senior Assessor, our Canberra-based certification team and Assessor colleagues.

About RSPCA Australia

RSPCA Australia, as the federation’s national body, is a leading source of animal welfare science, and works with governments and industries to progress animal welfare across a range of issues. In addition, RSPCA Australia runs the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, which works with farmers and brands to improve the lives of millions of farm animals.

The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is Australia’s leading farm animal welfare certification program. We work closely with farmers to make a positive impact on the lives of farm animals by setting higher welfare Standards for Producers to achieve, which we verify through our robust assessment and certification process. Millions of hens, pigs, chickens, turkeys and salmon benefit each year from better farm conditions as a result of the work we do.

The Senior Assessor works for the RSPCA Certification Body which is an independent body that sits within the Scheme and is responsible for assessment and certification activities for each of the Scheme’s Programs.

Benefits of Working with RSPCA Australia

As you might expect, RSPCA is an organisation of people committed to Animal Welfare and this flows through into the type of workplace we all work hard to create – one that is supportive, challenging and friendly – and one driven by strong values of fairness and inclusion. We work hard to protect animals and meet the needs of our clients, but we don’t put unreasonable pressure on ourselves to meet meaningless demands or targets. We are a nice group of people, driven by our values and we think we are a great place to spend your working week.

Whilst the Senior Assessor role will work remotely, they won’t work in isolation. Much of their time will be spent with our Assessors in the field, training, supporting and conducting witness audits. At least twice each year all of the team meets together for training, recalibration and team bonding and the Senior Assessor will play a large coordinating role for these occasions. The Senior Assessor will work very closely with the Manager – RSPCA Certification Body and especially at the start of their career with us as they undergo intensive training and introductions to each Scheme programs and the participating farms and businesses.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] with the following:

Your detailed resume and up to date contact details
A covering letter that provides more specific information that addresses the key components of the selection criteria listed below:

Your technical expertise
Examples of your innovation, personal drive and creative thinking
Examples of how you achieve results
How you have supported productive working relationships
How you have been an influential communicator

If you are short-listed for an interview – either face to face or by telephone – we will ask you for the best referees you have that are available and able to describe you at work.

Selection Criteria

Applications that do not address these requirements may not be considered for the position.

A proven ability to maintain confidentiality in a commercial setting and to conduct tasks impartially.
Shared animal welfare values and ethics of the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme.
Practical commercial experience in livestock production and the understanding of good stockpersonship.
A working knowledge of the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, or other farm assurance schemes, or audit/ assessment for certification; formal audit qualifications are highly desirable.
Academic qualifications related to intensive farm animal production systems and farm animal behaviour are highly desirable.
Competency in report writing; experience in reporting for audit or quality assurance is highly desirable.
Excellent interpersonal and rapport-building skills with a natural communication style that can adapt to individuals or groups in varied circumstances/settings.
The availability to travel extensively for work purposes for extended periods.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products, in particular Outlook and the Teams environment, and the ability to quickly learn new programs.
Proactive and resilient, and ready to take initiative and focus on objectives and delivery in the face of changing demands and conditions.
An effective, reliable and respected team member that delivers work of a high standard and supports colleagues to deliver the same.

Further Information

If you have specific questions that are not covered by the information above, call our office on (02) 6282 8300 to speak with Rick Butler, or send an email to [email protected].

For further information regarding RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, go to rspcaapproved.org.au.

Applications close on Friday 14th November 2025.

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Approved Farming Scheme Assessor

The Role

The Person

About RSPCA Australia

Benefits of Working with RSPCA Australia

How to Apply

Selection Criteria

Further Information

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