Field           Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 

Registration of skill standards and review of unit standards for Farming Skills

Subfield	Domain	ID
Agriculture	Farming Skills	575, 19110, 19111

The Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board has registered two skill standards and reviewed the unit standards listed above.

Date new versions published                                                                                                          May 2026

Planned review date December 2031

Summary

Muka Tangata – People, Food, and Fibre Workforce Development Council consulted with representatives from the sheep, beef and deer industries and with tertiary education providers to support the development of two skill standards that align with a micro-credential covering the skills and knowledge required to work with farm dogs and horses, as part of the wider Agriculture Qualification Development Project.

Unit standards 575, 19110, and 19111 have been reviewed and replaced by two skill standards. The new standards consolidate knowledge and practical skills for working dogs and horses to better reflect current industry practice and workforce requirements.

Development meetings held between November and December 2025 supported the process and ensured the products meet current and future workforce needs. 

Responsibility for these standards was transferred from the WDC to the Food and Fibre ISB as a result of the VET reforms.

Main changes

· Skill standards 41317 and 41318 were developed to meet industry and learner needs for working with farm dogs and horses.

· Unit standards 575, 19110, and 19111 were replaced.

Category C standards will expire at the end of December 2028

Impact on existing organisations with consent to assess

Current consent for			Consent extended to
Nature of consent	Classification or ID	Level	Nature of consent	Classification or ID	Level
Field	Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	2	Standards	41317, 41318	3
Subfield	Agriculture	2	Standards	41317, 41318	3
Domain	Farming Skills	2	Standards	41317, 41318	3
Standards	575, 19110, 19111	2-3	Standard	41317, 41318	3

Providers and schools with consent to assess against the full suite of replaced standards (575, 19110, and 19111) may be granted consent to assess against standards 41317 and 41318 through the standard transition process.  Providers and schools with limited consent to assess, including consent restricted to individual replaced standards or lower levels, will not automatically receive consent extension to the new Level 3 skill standards and may need to apply for additional consent to assess. Applications will need to demonstrate capability to meet the assessment requirements of the new standards, including access to appropriate work or simulated work conditions to support valid assessment.

Detailed list of standards – classification, title, level, and credits

All changes are in bold.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > Farming Skills

ID	Title	Level	Credit	Review Category
575 19110 19111 41317 41318	Use and care for farm horses Work a farm dog and maintain its health and welfare Describe the types, breeds, uses, and health requirements of farm dogs Care for a working farm animal  Handle and train a working farm animal	3 2 3 3 3	10 10 4 5 15	C C C New New