Meat standards Australia grading
What is the course about?
MSA certified graders collate information from the producer, supervise processing standards and collect individual carcase attributes using a uniform set of standards. Individual beef carcase attributes collected include Breed Content, Meat Colour, Fat Depth, MSA Marbling, Maturity and ultimate ph. Results are allocated to the carcase including individual primal quality grades, days of ageing required and recommended cooking method.
On completion of this training you must be able to demonstrate you can:
- Accurately grade beef carcases to MSA requirements
- Operate the MSA grading hardware and software
- Use the relevant carcases ticketing information
- Accurately use the MSA vendor declaration information
- Identify eligible carcases into a plant boning run
- Recognise and resolve problems relating to MSA grading
What do I do if I need to cancel my booking?
Please contact AUS-MEAT immediately to avoid any cancellation fees. Full payment is required no later than 5 days prior to the commencement of training. A 50% cancellation fee will apply on cancellations received less than 10 working days prior to commencement of training.
NO refunds are given for cancellations received less than 5 working days prior to the commencement of training. Any transfers between courses will incur a $100 fee on each instance.
What your course fees cover
Your courses fees paid cover the following items
- Course tuition
- Facility hire
- Workbooks and assessments
- Morning tea and lunch
- Issue of certificate
Who should attend?
- Operatives that are employed by an MSA Licensed processor
- Any person wishing to grade beef carcases under the MSA grading system
English is not my first language! Will I have problems?
All AUS-MEAT training courses are presented in English. A sound understanding of the English language is required. All workbooks and assessments are conducted in English. If required, the use of dictionaries or tablets are acceptable.
For any additional or special requirements please contact AUS-MEAT on (07) 3361 9200 to discuss what support services are available.
How will you be assessed?
The MSA Grading course includes both theory and practical assessments. The assessments are used to ensure participants understand important information in relation to MSA Grading. Revision for these assessments may be conducted daily and your trainer will answer any questions you may have.
These assessments will be in the form of:
- Practical Correlation runs
- Computer Assessment
- Written Theory Assessment
- Practical Assessment
- Evidence Guide to demonstrate competency in skills associated with MSA Grading
Issue of Certificates
At the completion of the 8 days training you will required to submit both practical and theory assessments. Industry standard correlations will then need to be completed using the Onsite Correlation and Practice Program (OsCap™) in your workplace; these must be submitted within 8 weeks of completion of the theory component of the training.
All MSA grader trainees must be assessed and “Signed off” by an MSA/MLA employed grader prior to commencement of grading duties.
A Statement of Attainment in MSA Grading is issued to all participants who successfully complete all practical and theory assessments.
Unit of Competency:
AMPQUA308 Grade beef carcases using Meat Standards Australia
This Unit sits within the Certificate III in Meat Processing AMP30622 qualification.
Course Pre-requisites
AMPQUA415 Undertake Chiller Assessment to AUS-MEAT requirements. You will be required to have successfully completed this unit prior to commencement of the course.
Please note – you do not have a current Chiller Assessor status when enrolling or during the MSA Grading course. You are however required to be a current AUS-MEAT Chiller Assessor when commencing MSA Grading at your own establishment.
What are the course hours?
| DAYS | TIMES |
| Tuesday - Please arrive by: | 8:30am |
| Registration: | 8:45am |
| Course Commences at: | 9:00am |
| Finish: | 4:00pm |
| Wednesday to Wednesday: | 5:30am - 3:30pm (Times may vary) |
| Thursday: | 5:30am - 12:00pm (Roughly) |
Note - Times may vary and will be determined by your trainer on the day.
Eye Test & Q Fever Vaccination:
Each Participant must provide evidence of ability to determine colour in the red and yellow spectrums
and their Q Fever Vaccination.
A copy of your medical records showing evidence of vaccination or immunity against Q-Fever
will be required before commencement of the MSA Grading course.
Do I need to bring anything?
You will need to bring the following to the course:
- Warm clothing as we will spend a large amount of time in carcase chillers (max. 10 °C).
- Closed in comfy shoes
- Allow a change of clothing for laundry purposes
- All protective clothing for entering production areas will be supplied by the hosting processor
At the course:
- Participate in group discussions and activities
- Ask trainer/s questions during the course to ensure you understand the course content
- Complete overnight exercises as revision of the course content
- Utilise training materials provided to you such as workbook
- Take care of equipment so as to participate in practical activities each day