What this class covers
ANZSIC class 0171 categorises Australian businesses primarily engaged in raising poultry for meat production or operating hatcheries for meat-breed chicks. This classification applies to operations where the primary purpose is producing poultry meat rather than eggs. The industry includes various poultry types beyond just chickens, reflecting the diversity of meat bird production in Australia.
Typical operations in this class include large-scale chicken meat farms supplying major processors, smaller specialty operations raising ducks or turkeys for local markets, game bird farms producing quail or pheasant for restaurants, hatcheries specializing in meat-breed chicks for distribution to growers, and integrated operations that both raise and minimally prepare birds for market without engaging in full processing.
This classification is used by government agencies, researchers, and industry bodies to track agricultural production data, inform policy decisions, and analyse the Australian poultry meat sector's economic contribution. Businesses use this code when registering for ABNs, applying for agricultural grants, and complying with statistical reporting requirements.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class typically engage in one or more of the following activities:
- Raising chickens specifically for meat production (broilers)
- Farming ducks for meat rather than egg production
- Raising game birds such as quail, pheasant, or partridge for meat
- Farming geese primarily for meat purposes
- Operating poultry hatcheries that specialize in meat-breed chicks
- Raising turkeys for meat production
- Integrated operations that combine breeding, hatching, and growing meat poultry
Exclusions and nearby codes
Several related activities are specifically excluded from this classification and fall under separate ANZSIC codes:
Poultry farming for egg production or hatching egg-breed chicks is classified under ANZSIC 0172: Poultry Farming (Eggs). This distinction separates the meat and egg production sectors despite both involving poultry.
Ostrich and emu farming operations are excluded and classified under ANZSIC 0199: Other Livestock Farming n.e.c. due to their different farming practices and market characteristics.
Businesses that process poultry meat through slaughtering, cutting, or packaging operations typically fall under ANZSIC 1112: Poultry Processing, even if they also raise birds. The classification distinction depends on the primary activity.
Practical guidance
When registering your business with the Australian Taxation Office, you'll need to select the appropriate Business Industry Code (BIC). For poultry meat farming operations, the corresponding BIC is 1710, which aligns with ANZSIC 0171.
This classification may affect your eligibility for certain agricultural grants, drought assistance programs, and tax concessions specific to primary production. When completing tax returns, businesses in this class typically report under primary production categories and may be eligible for specific deductions related to livestock farming.
Workers' compensation insurance classifications may vary by state, but poultry farming generally falls under agricultural classifications rather than manufacturing, even for larger operations. Businesses that expand into processing activities may need additional classifications and should review their coverage accordingly.
Industry associations such as the Australian Chicken Meat Federation and state farming organizations can provide sector-specific guidance on compliance, best practices, and industry developments relevant to poultry meat producers.