Photographer's Assistants
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Photographer's Assistants assist Photographers in taking and developing photographs.
Tasks
-
Assists qualified photographers in photo shoots.
-
Sets up studio for shoots.
-
Arranges cameras and film.
-
Organises lighting and other photographic equipment.
-
Locates props for photo shoots.
-
Takes photos.
-
Develops and print photos.
-
Scans photos into a computer.
-
Edits and formats pictures and saves them to disk.
-
May mount photographs and set up exhibits.
Characteristics
-
University
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Creative
-
Light
-
Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Other Technicians and Trades Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 48% of people employed as Photographer's Assistants work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 18 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Photographer's Assistants work in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Photographer's Assistants | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 40.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 36.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 11.0 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 5.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.1 | 1.9 |
-
Around 82% of Photographer's Assistants live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria and New South Wales 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
-
The median age of Photographer's Assistants is 33 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 64% of the workforce. This is 16 percentage points above 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 | Photographer's Assistants | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 13.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 35.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 13.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 4.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 33 | 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 essential to work as a Photographer's Assistant. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in photography or photo imaging.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Health Industry, Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking and Property Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Photographer's Assistants | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 32.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 21.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 13.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 23.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 5.8 | 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 Other Technicians and Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
46%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
45%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
43%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
41%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
-
41%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
41%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
39%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
30%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
72%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
69%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
68%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
65%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
-
54%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
53%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
53%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
51%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
50%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
41%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
41%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
35%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
35%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
35%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
33%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
32%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
29%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
25%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
20%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
20%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
55%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
54%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
52%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
52%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
52%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
50%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
50%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
48%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
46%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
77%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
73%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
70%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
-
68%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
66%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
64%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
62%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
59%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
58%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
58%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
57%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
-
57%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
55%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
52%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
52%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
51%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
51%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
-
46%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
42%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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.
-
86%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
67%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
48%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
33%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
19%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
Values
-
71%
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.
-
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.
-
62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
52%
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.
-
50%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
38%
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.
Demands
-
96%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
94%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
93%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
84%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
82%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
80%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
78%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
78%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
74%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
74%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
71%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
70%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
70%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
66%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
65%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
63%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
62%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
62%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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, 27-4021.00 - Photographers.
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
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.