What this class covers
ANZSIC class 1112, Poultry Processing, classifies businesses whose main activity is the slaughtering and primary processing of birds for human consumption. This includes operations like running a poultry abattoir, where birds are slaughtered, dressed, and prepared. The class also covers further processing steps that transform the whole carcass or parts into final products, such as boning, chilling, freezing, or canning. This classification applies to both poultry (like chickens and turkeys) and game birds (such as pheasants or quail).
In Australia, a business would be classified here if its core operation involves turning live birds into packaged meat products. Common examples include a facility that slaughters chickens and sells chilled carcasses to supermarkets, a factory that produces frozen pre-portioned chicken breasts, or a plant that manufactures canned chicken meat. This classification is used by government agencies like the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to collect industry data and for business reporting.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class are primarily engaged in:
- Operating a poultry abattoir or slaughterhouse.
- Slaughtering and dressing poultry or game birds.
- Processing poultry meat, which can include boning, cutting, and portioning.
- Manufacturing frozen poultry products.
- Canning or otherwise preserving poultry meat.
- Packing fresh, chilled, or frozen poultry meat for sale.
- Producing poultry-based items like croquettes or meat meals, where this is the primary activity.
Exclusions and nearby codes
It is important to note what this class does not cover. Businesses that primarily manufacture poultry-based smallgoods, such as sausages, frankfurts, salami, or other cured meat products, are excluded from this class. These activities are classified under ANZSIC 1113: Cured Meat and Smallgoods Manufacturing.
This class is part of the broader Group 111 (Meat and Meat Product Manufacturing) and sits alongside other classes like 1111 (Meat Processing) for red meat and 1113 for smallgoods. If a business's activities span multiple classes, the primary source of revenue usually determines the correct classification.
Practical guidance
When registering your business with the Australian Business Register (ABR), you will be asked for your industry classification. For poultry processing, you should select ANZSIC class 1112. The corresponding Business Industry Code (BIC) for tax return purposes is 11120. Using the correct code ensures your business is accurately represented in official statistics and can affect your eligibility for certain industry-specific grants or reporting requirements.
Your state or territory's workers' compensation authority will also use this classification to determine your premium risk category. Poultry processing is considered a high-risk industry due to the use of machinery and manual handling, so premiums will reflect this. Always ensure your business complies with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regulations and state-level licensing requirements for meat processing.