Engineering Production Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Engineering Production Workers perform a range of production process tasks to refine and treat metals and mineral ore, fire ceramics, and operate plant to produce and finish metal products such as rods, tubing and structural shapes, and moulds for casting.
Specialisations: Alumina Refinery Operator, Arc Welder, Brake Press Operator, Computer Numeric Control Machine Operator, Foundry Operator, Furnace Operator (Metals), Kiln Operator (Metals), Metal Rolling Mill Operator, Sheetmetal Worker (Second Class), Tool Setter, Turret Punch Operator.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Engineering Production Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in engineering studies, competitive systems and practices, manufacturing technology or resource processing.
Tasks
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interpreting engineering production drawings
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setting up, operating and adjusting production plant to shape metal stock and castings and cut sheet metal
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operating welding and electroplating plant
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operating furnaces and quenching plant to smelt and change the structure of metals
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using kilns and ovens to fire ceramics
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processing mineral ore and operating metal rolling plant
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casting molten metal and operating plant to draw metal wire through dies
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operating computer-controlled production plant
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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Analytical
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Administrative
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Sedentary
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Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
-
Very 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:
- is expected to decline
- is likely to reach 13,700 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 | 25,400 |
2012 | 21,900 |
2013 | 22,500 |
2014 | 17,800 |
2015 | 18,200 |
2016 | 17,500 |
2017 | 15,400 |
2018 | 12,200 |
2019 | 21,400 |
2020 | 18,900 |
2021 | 15,900 |
2026 | 13,700 |
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 92% of people employed as Engineering Production Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 26 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Median full-time earnings are $1,520 per week, this is lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,179
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,076
Median hourly earnings are $36, 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 | Engineering Production Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,520 | 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 Engineering Production Workers 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 | Engineering Production Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 16.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 50% of Engineering Production Workers 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
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The median age of Engineering Production Workers 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 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)
Age Bracket | Engineering Production Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 19.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 24.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 28.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.3 | 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 essential to work as an Engineering Production Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in engineering studies, competitive systems and practices, manufacturing technology or resource processing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Engineering Production Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.7 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 37.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 18.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 24.9 | 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 Engineering Production Systems Workers have good interpersonal skills, can communicate well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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54%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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52%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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46%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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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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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed 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%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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34%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
27%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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58%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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51%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
48%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
46%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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41%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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32%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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31%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
29%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
29%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
24%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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23%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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21%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
20%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
20%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
20%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
10%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
9%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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9%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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48%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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48%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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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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46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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46%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
45%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
41%
Glare sensitivitySee things in glare or bright lighting.
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41%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
39%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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38%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
36%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
74%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
74%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
62%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
60%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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58%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
57%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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51%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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51%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
50%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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49%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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44%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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43%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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42%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
40%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
39%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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39%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
38%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
37%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
35%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
33%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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.
-
81%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
71%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
95%
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.
-
43%
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.
-
33%
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.
-
29%
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.
Demands
-
100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
100%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
97%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
97%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
96%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
96%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
95%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
91%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
87%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
85%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
84%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
83%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
83%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
82%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
80%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
80%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
77%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
77%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
76%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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, 51-4051.00 - Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders.
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.