Handypersons

ANZSCO ID 8993

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
47,800
Future Growth
4.9%
Weekly Earnings
$1,238
Full-Time Share
49%
Female Share
4%
Average age
52

Summary

Handypersons clean, paint, repair and maintain buildings, grounds and facilities.

Specialisations: Hotel Yardperson.

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Handyperson. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in areas like carpentry, joinery or metal, electrical and engineering trades.

Tasks

  • repairing broken windows, screens, doors, fences, barbecues, picnic tables, shelves, cupboards and other items

  • replacing defective items such as light bulbs

  • repairing and painting interior and exterior surfaces such as walls, ceilings and fences

  • clearing rubbish and leaves from driveways and grounds

  • mowing lawns and cultivating gardens

  • adjusting doors and windows

  • replacing tap washers

  • putting up handrails and grab rails

Characteristics

Job Type
Labourers
Skill Level
Entry level
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Above average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
Physical Demand
  • Light
  • Medium

Outlook

Employment 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 grow moderately
  • is likely to reach 38,000 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.

Projected Change
4.9%
(or 1,800 jobs)
From
36,300
in 2021
To
38,000
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 41,700
2012 49,200
2013 40,400
2014 33,600
2015 41,100
2016 43,200
2017 40,700
2018 39,200
2019 41,000
2020 53,900
2021 36,300
2026 38,000

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 54% of people employed as Handypersons work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 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).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,238 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,054
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,443

    Median hourly earnings are $30, 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)

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.
Earnings Handypersons All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,238 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

1
Construction
44.4%
2
Administrative and Support Services
14.4%
3
Health Care and Social Assistance
8.9%
4
Accommodation and Food Services
7.5%
5
Other industries
24.8%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

32.7% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

24.2% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

19.0% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

7.9% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

12.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.0% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.1% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Handypersons All Jobs Average
NSW 32.7 31.6
VIC 24.2 25.6
QLD 19.0 20.0
SA 7.9 7.0
WA 12.1 10.8
TAS 2.0 2.0
NT 1.0 1.0
ACT 1.1 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
52
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
4%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Handypersons is 52 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Handypersons All Jobs Average
15-19 1.2 5.0
20-24 3.1 9.3
25-34 10.0 22.9
35-44 16.8 22.0
45-54 28.3 21.6
55-59 16.2 9.0
60-64 13.5 6.0
65 and Over 10.9 4.2
Median Age 52 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 Handyperson. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in areas like carpentry, joinery or metal, electrical and engineering trades.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services 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 Handypersons All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 1.7 10.1
Bachelor degree 6.2 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 7.9 11.6
Certificate III/IV 41.1 21.1
Year 12 15.5 18.1
Year 11 5.9 4.8
Year 10 and below 21.8 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 Handypersons who work well in a team, are well presented and reliable.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 37%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 36%

    Time management

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

  • 34%

    Monitoring

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

  • 34%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 34%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 34%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 32%

    Active listening

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

  • 32%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 32%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 32%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 30%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 30%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 30%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 30%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 30%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 29%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 29%

    Active learning

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

  • 29%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 25%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 23%

    Equipment selection

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


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 51%

    Building and construction

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

  • 32%

    Administration and management

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

  • 30%

    English language

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

  • 28%

    Technical design

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

  • 25%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 25%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 25%

    Education and training

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

  • 24%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 21%

    Mechanical

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

  • 18%

    Transportation

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

  • 15%

    Chemistry

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

  • 14%

    Production and processing

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

  • 13%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 12%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 12%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.

  • 11%

    Psychology

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

  • 11%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 11%

    Foreign language

    Foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

  • 10%

    Clerical

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

  • 9%

    Physics

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 54%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 52%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 52%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 43%

    Balance

    Keep your balance or stay upright.

  • 41%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 41%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 41%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 41%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 41%

    Whole body coordination

    Move your arms, legs, and body together.

  • 39%

    Near vision

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

  • 38%

    Dynamic strength

    Exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

  • 38%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 38%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 38%

    Stamina

    Exercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.

  • 36%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 34%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 32%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 32%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 30%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 30%

    Sorting or ordering

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


Activities

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

  • 64%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 62%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 51%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 50%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 43%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 42%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 42%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 38%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 36%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 34%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 34%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 33%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 33%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 32%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 32%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 32%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 30%

    Helping and caring for others

    Providing personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.

  • 30%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 30%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 28%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or 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.

  • 95%

    Practical

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

  • 38%

    Administrative

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

  • 24%

    Creative

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

  • 19%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 14%

    Analytical

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


Values

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

  • 48%

    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.

  • 33%

    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.

  • 33%

    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.

  • 29%

    Achievement

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

  • 24%

    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:
  • 95%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 90%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 90%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 90%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 89%

    Contact with people

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

  • 82%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 80%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 79%

    Outdoors, exposed to weather

    Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.

  • 77%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 76%

    Bending or twisting your body

    Spend time bending or twisting your body.

  • 73%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 72%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 71%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 71%

    Climbing ladders, scaffolds, or poles

    Spend time climbing ladders, scaffolds, or poles.

  • 71%

    Work at heights

    Work in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).

  • 70%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 69%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 68%

    Responsible for outcomes

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

  • 68%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 67%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

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, 47-3014.00 - Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons.


Links and downloads

Back to top