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Electrical Engineering Technicians

ANZSCO ID 312312

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Overview

Snapshot

Employed
6,300
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
88%
Female Share
4%
Average age
42
About this data

Summary

Electrical Engineering Technicians conduct tests of electrical systems, prepare charts and tabulations, and assist in estimating costs in support of Electrical Engineers and Engineering Technologists.

Also known as: Electrical Engineering Technical Officer.

Specialisations: Electrical Engineering Laboratory Technician, Electrical Instrument Technician.

A certificate III or IV in electrical and electronic engineering and technology or another related field is usually needed to work as an Electrical Engineering Technician.

Tasks

  • Collects data, performs tests and calculations, graphs results, and prepares charts and tabulation.

  • Estimates materials, costs and quantities.

  • Inspects designs and finished products for compliance with specifications and regulations.

  • Assembles, installs, tests, modifies and repairs electrical equipment and installations to conform with regulations and safety requirements.

  • Undertakes electrical workshop functions, such as installing assemblies for protection relays, metering and indicating devices.

  • Assists with research and experimentation programs.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
High skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
3123 Electrical Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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, Electrical Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians, under the outlook section.

Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 88% of people employed as Electrical Engineering Technicians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 22 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 46 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
Construction
22.1%
2
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
20.9%
3
Manufacturing
14.5%
4
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
9.2%
5
Other industries
27.9%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

27.0% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

20.4% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

21.0% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

7.0% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

19.0% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

3.1% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.8% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.8% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Electrical Engineering Technicians All Jobs Average
NSW 27.0 31.6
VIC 20.4 25.6
QLD 21.0 20.0
SA 7.0 7.0
WA 19.0 10.8
TAS 3.1 2.0
NT 1.8 1.0
ACT 0.8 1.9


  • Around 43% of Electrical Engineering Technicians live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Western Australia has a large share of employment relative to its 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

Age In Years
42
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
4%
All Jobs Average is 48%

  • The median age of Electrical Engineering Technicians is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.

    Females make up 4% of the workforce. This is 44 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 Electrical Engineering Technicians All Jobs Average
15-19 1.1 5.0
20-24 5.1 9.3
25-34 25.8 22.9
35-44 23.9 22.0
45-54 24.5 21.6
55-59 10.4 9.0
60-64 5.9 6.0
65 and Over 3.4 4.2
Median Age 42 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 or IV in electrical and electronic engineering and technology or another related field is usually needed to work as an Electrical Engineering Technician.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Electrotechnology, Transmission & Distribution, Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector and Metal and Engineering 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 Electrical Engineering Technicians All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 2.6 10.1
Bachelor degree 8.1 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 20.8 11.6
Certificate III/IV 57.7 21.1
Year 12 6.8 18.1
Year 11 1.3 4.8
Year 10 and below 2.7 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 Electrical Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 57%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 55%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 52%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 50%

    Active listening

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

  • 48%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 48%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 46%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 46%

    Monitoring

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

  • 46%

    Active learning

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

  • 46%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 46%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 45%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 45%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 45%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 45%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 45%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 43%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 43%

    Systems analysis

    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.

  • 43%

    Systems evaluation

    Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

  • 43%

    Time management

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

Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 70%

    Mechanical

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

  • 69%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 67%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 64%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 59%

    Technical design

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

  • 55%

    Physics

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

  • 54%

    English language

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

  • 51%

    Production and processing

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

  • 50%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 47%

    Clerical

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

  • 46%

    Education and training

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

  • 46%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 43%

    Administration and management

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

  • 38%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 32%

    Communications and media

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

  • 27%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 27%

    Telecommunications

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

  • 26%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 22%

    Transportation

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

  • 20%

    Building and construction

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

Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 57%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 57%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 57%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 55%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 55%

    Near vision

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

  • 55%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 55%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 54%

    Colour discrimination

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

  • 54%

    Visualization

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

  • 52%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 52%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 52%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 46%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 46%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Brainstorming

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

  • 45%

    Flexibility of closure

    See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.

  • 45%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 43%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 41%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

Activities

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

  • 72%

    Collecting and organising information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

  • 71%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 67%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 66%

    Thinking creatively

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

  • 65%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 64%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 63%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 63%

    Drafting, laying out, and specifying parts

    Detailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

  • 63%

    Working with computers

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

  • 63%

    Working with electronic equipment

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

  • 61%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 60%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 60%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 59%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 58%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or 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.

  • 51%

    Explaining things to people

    Helping people to understand and use information.

  • 51%

    Scheduling work and activities

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

  • 48%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

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.

  • 86%

    Analytical

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

  • 62%

    Administrative

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

  • 33%

    Creative

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

  • 33%

    Enterprising

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

  • 14%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

Values

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

  • 76%

    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.

  • 64%

    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.

  • 62%

    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.

  • 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.

  • 57%

    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.

  • 52%

    Achievement

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

Demands

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

  • 96%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 94%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 89%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 88%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 85%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 84%

    Contact with people

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

  • 84%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 84%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 83%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 81%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 75%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 74%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 73%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 72%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 69%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 68%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 67%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 66%

    Spend time sitting

    Spend time sitting at work.

  • 64%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 63%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

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, 17-3023.03 - Electrical Engineering Technicians.

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