Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing plastic and rubber products.
Tasks
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dumping material into hoppers of machines
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stopping moulding machines and discharging contents
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cutting foam products from foam blocks
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cleaning, smoothing and waxing moulds for making products
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brushing and spraying release agents onto moulds to assist with the removal of moulded products
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building up layers of fibreglass and resin on moulds
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cleaning work areas, tools and equipment
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may smooth rough edges of moulds using files, grinders and sanders
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
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:
- is expected to decline
- is likely to reach 1,300 by 2026.
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 | 2,800 |
2012 | 5,500 |
2013 | 3,200 |
2014 | 4,900 |
2015 | 3,700 |
2016 | 2,500 |
2017 | 600 |
2018 | 3,300 |
2019 | 3,600 |
2020 | 1,500 |
2021 | 1,400 |
2026 | 1,300 |
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
-
Around 80% of people employed as Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 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).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers work in the Manufacturing industry.
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 | Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 25.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 38.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 10.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.1 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 73% of Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers 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 region with the largest share of workers is Melbourne - Outer East.
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 Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers is 45 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 | Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 26.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 45 | 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 Plastics or Rubber Factory Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in polymer processing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.8 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 15.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 26.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 10.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 37.9 | 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 Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers 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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52%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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48%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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46%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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41%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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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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30%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
30%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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66%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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57%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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51%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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49%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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49%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
39%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
37%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
36%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
31%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
30%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
30%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
27%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
25%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
22%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
21%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
21%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
19%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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19%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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16%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
11%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
54%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
52%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
50%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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48%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
45%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
80%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
80%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
56%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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51%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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51%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
50%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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50%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
50%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
50%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
50%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
49%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
47%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
45%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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44%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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44%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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41%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
41%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
36%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
35%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
33%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
33%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
71%
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.
-
48%
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.
-
40%
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%
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.
-
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
-
100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
94%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
93%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
92%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
89%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
86%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
85%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
78%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
77%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
76%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
75%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
75%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
74%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
74%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
73%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
73%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
72%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
70%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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, 51-4081.00 - Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
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.