Product Assemblers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Product Assemblers put together components and subassemblies that go into the production of metal products, electrical and electronic equipment, jewellery and precious metal articles, and joinery products.
Specialisations: Electrical and Electronic Assembler, Light Coil Winder, Vehicle Assembler.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Product Assembler. Some workers have a certificate I or II in a related manufacturing field.
Tasks
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locating, positioning and securing components on workbenches
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punching and drilling mounting holes in parts and assembled products
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assembling and securing components in sequence
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assembling parts by nailing, screwing, gluing and dowelling, riveting, crimping, soldering and spot welding components
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fitting hardware items, such as hinges, catches and knobs, to parts
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attaching and fastening jewellery and jewellery parts to fabricate bracelets, necklaces, brooches and earrings
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deburring and finishing items using files, grinding wheels and emery paper
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may manually wind light electrical field coils
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 30,100 |
2012 | 34,400 |
2013 | 28,300 |
2014 | 27,200 |
2015 | 28,900 |
2016 | 24,900 |
2017 | 29,800 |
2018 | 26,200 |
2019 | 30,000 |
2020 | 28,600 |
2021 | 26,100 |
2026 | 26,300 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 82% of people employed as Product Assemblers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 16 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 40 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours less than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,042 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $928
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,222
Median hourly earnings are $27, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Product Assemblers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,042 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Product Assemblers work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Product Assemblers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 40.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 13.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 11.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 4.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 73% of Product Assemblers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria and South Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Product Assemblers is 44 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 25% of the workforce. This is 23 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Product Assemblers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 26.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 12.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Product Assembler. Some workers have a certificate I or II in a related manufacturing field.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Product Assemblers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 7.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 20.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 27.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 28.3 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Production Assemblers who work well in a team, can communicate clearly and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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36%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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29%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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21%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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21%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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21%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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47%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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39%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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38%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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33%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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30%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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30%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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27%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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26%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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22%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
21%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
18%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
17%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
16%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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12%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
9%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
8%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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8%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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8%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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4%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
3%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
45%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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41%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
76%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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62%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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57%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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57%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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56%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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53%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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53%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
49%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
47%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
46%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
46%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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45%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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44%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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44%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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43%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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43%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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43%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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41%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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41%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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35%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
43%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
67%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
38%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
36%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
29%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
96%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
94%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
90%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
89%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
82%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
80%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
76%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
76%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
74%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
74%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
73%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
73%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
70%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
69%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
68%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
68%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
67%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
65%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
64%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-2022.00 - Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.