Business Machine Mechanics

ANZSCO ID 342311

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
2,600
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
91%
Female Share
3%
Average age
46

Summary

Business Machine Mechanics install, maintain and repair electronic business equipment such as multi-function devices, photocopiers, scanners, fax machines and cash registers.

Also known as: Office Equipment Technician or Office Machine Technician.

Specialisations: Photocopier Technician.

A certificate III in business equipment servicing is usually needed to work as a Business Machine Mechanic.

Tasks

  • Examines and tests machines, equipment, instruments and control systems to diagnose faults.

  • Adjusts, repairs and replaces worn or defective parts and wiring to maintain machines, equipment and instruments.

  • Reassembles, test operates and adjusts equipment.

  • Advises users of correct operating procedures to prevent malfunctions.

  • Monitors radio traffic as well as transmitting and receiving voice messages.

  • Installs electronic instruments and control systems.

  • Applies knowledge of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic principles in commissioning and maintaining control systems.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Analytical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Light
  • Medium

Outlook

Employment 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, Electronics Trades Workers, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 91% of people employed as Business Machine Mechanics work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 25 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 41 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

1
Wholesale Trade
39.9%
2
Other Services
25.8%
3
Manufacturing
10.0%
4
Retail Trade
6.0%
5
Other industries
11.6%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

34.7% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

26.1% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

19.1% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

5.6% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

10.0% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.4% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

2.0% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Business Machine Mechanics All Jobs Average
NSW 34.7 31.6
VIC 26.1 25.6
QLD 19.1 20.0
SA 5.6 7.0
WA 10.0 10.8
TAS 1.4 2.0
NT 1.0 1.0
ACT 2.0 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
46
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
3%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Business Machine Mechanics is 46 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 3% of the workforce. This is 45 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Business Machine Mechanics All Jobs Average
15-19 1.0 5.0
20-24 5.4 9.3
25-34 16.7 22.9
35-44 24.3 22.0
45-54 30.2 21.6
55-59 11.8 9.0
60-64 6.8 6.0
65 and Over 3.8 4.2
Median Age 46 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

A certificate III in business equipment servicing is usually needed to work as a Business Machine Mechanic.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Electrotechnology VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

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.
Type of Qualification Business Machine Mechanics All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 2.0 10.1
Bachelor degree 9.4 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 16.2 11.6
Certificate III/IV 41.1 21.1
Year 12 19.9 18.1
Year 11 4.3 4.8
Year 10 and below 7.2 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 Electronics 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.

  • 46%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 45%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 45%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 45%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 45%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 43%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 43%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 43%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 43%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 43%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 43%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 43%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 43%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 43%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 43%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 41%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 41%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 41%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 37%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 36%

    Installation

    Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 76%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 56%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 55%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 48%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 37%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 33%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 27%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • 27%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 23%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 23%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 22%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 21%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 20%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 20%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 19%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 19%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 16%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 13%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 12%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 10%

    Geography

    Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 55%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 54%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 52%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 50%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 48%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 48%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 46%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 45%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 45%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 45%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 45%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 45%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 43%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 43%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 43%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 41%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 39%

    Brainstorming

    Come up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.

  • 37%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 73%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 70%

    Working with electronic equipment

    Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.

  • 69%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 61%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 60%

    Communicating with the public

    Giving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 57%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 57%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 55%

    Working with computers

    Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

  • 53%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 53%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 53%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 51%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 50%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 47%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 47%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 44%

    Working with the public

    Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.

  • 41%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

  • 38%

    Scheduling work and activities

    Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

  • 38%

    Documenting or recording information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • 27%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, 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%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 71%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 67%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 38%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 29%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 19%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 62%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 57%

    Independence

    Work 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.

  • 55%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 48%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 48%

    Relationships

    Serve 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%

    Recognition

    Advancement 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

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 99%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 91%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 90%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 89%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 88%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 87%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 85%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 85%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 84%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 82%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 81%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 80%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 78%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 74%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 73%

    Repeating same tasks

    Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.

  • 71%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 70%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 64%

    Conflict situations

    Deal with conflict or disagreements.

  • 64%

    In an enclosed vehicle or equipment

    Work in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).

  • 64%

    Cramped work space

    Work in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.

Occupational Information Network
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, 49-2011.00 - Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers.


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