Metal Machinists (First Class)

ANZSCO ID 323214

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
2,400
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
92%
Female Share
1%
Average age
45

Summary

Metal Machinists (First Class) set up and operate machine tools to shape and form metal stock and castings to fine tolerances, using detailed drawings and specifications.

Specialisations: Aircraft Machinist, Automotive Machinist, Metal Machine Setter, Metal Turner, Milling Machinist, Vertical Borer.

A certificate III in engineering - mechanical trade is usually needed to work as a Metal Machinist (First Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

Tasks

  • Studying drawings and specifications to determine suitable material, method and sequence of operations, and machine settings.

  • Fitting fabricated metal parts into products and assembling metal parts and subassemblies to produce machines and equipment.

  • Checking fabricated and assembled metal parts for accuracy, clearance and fit using precision measuring instruments.

  • Setting guides, stops and other controls on machining tools, setting up prescribed cutting and shaping tools and dies in machines and presses.

  • Forming metal stock and castings to fine tolerances using machining tools to press, cut, grind, plane, bore and drill metal.

  • Cutting, threading, bending and installing hydraulic and pneumatic pipes and lines.

  • Diagnosing faults and performing operational maintenance of machines, and overhauling and repairing mechanical parts and fluid power equipment.

  • May erect machines and equipment on-site.

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)
Interests
  • Practical
  • Analytical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Medium
  • Heavy

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, Metal Fitters and Machinists, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 92% of people employed as Metal Machinists (First Class) 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 43 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
Manufacturing
55.8%
2
Other Services
12.2%
3
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
4.2%
4
Mining
3.4%
5
Other industries
11.1%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

23.2% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

25.5% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

18.8% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

8.1% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

22.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.6% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.3% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.1% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Metal Machinists (First Class) All Jobs Average
NSW 23.2 31.6
VIC 25.5 25.6
QLD 18.8 20.0
SA 8.1 7.0
WA 22.3 10.8
TAS 1.6 2.0
NT 0.3 1.0
ACT 0.1 1.9


  • Around 41% of Metal Machinists (First Class) 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
45
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
1%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Metal Machinists (First Class) 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 1% of the workforce. This is 47 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 Metal Machinists (First Class) All Jobs Average
15-19 2.4 5.0
20-24 6.8 9.3
25-34 16.7 22.9
35-44 24.0 22.0
45-54 24.5 21.6
55-59 11.5 9.0
60-64 9.0 6.0
65 and Over 5.1 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

A certificate III in engineering - mechanical trade is usually needed to work as a Metal Machinist (First Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Manufacturing 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 Metal Machinists (First Class) All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.8 10.1
Bachelor degree 4.2 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 9.4 11.6
Certificate III/IV 68.6 21.1
Year 12 6.8 18.1
Year 11 2.4 4.8
Year 10 and below 7.7 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 Metal Fitters and Machinists who are reliable, flexible, adaptable and work well in a team.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 48%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 46%

    Monitoring

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

  • 46%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 45%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 43%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 43%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 43%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 43%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 41%

    Active learning

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

  • 41%

    Active listening

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

  • 41%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 39%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 39%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 39%

    Time management

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

  • 39%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 39%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 39%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 37%

    Equipment selection

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

  • 37%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 68%

    Mechanical

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

  • 63%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 52%

    Production and processing

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

  • 50%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 49%

    Technical design

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

  • 46%

    English language

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

  • 40%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 37%

    Education and training

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

  • 29%

    Building and construction

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

  • 28%

    Physics

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

  • 27%

    Administration and management

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

  • 26%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 26%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 23%

    Chemistry

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

  • 22%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 21%

    Clerical

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

  • 20%

    Psychology

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

  • 18%

    Transportation

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

  • 17%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 13%

    Economics and accounting

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 52%

    Control precision

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

  • 52%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 52%

    Near vision

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

  • 52%

    Visualization

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

  • 50%

    Reaction time

    Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.

  • 48%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 48%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 48%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 48%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 48%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 48%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 46%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 46%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 46%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 45%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 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%

    Rate control

    Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

  • 45%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 39%

    Depth perception

    Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.


Activities

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

  • 74%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 74%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 57%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 57%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 56%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 56%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 55%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 54%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 52%

    Thinking creatively

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

  • 51%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 51%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 49%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 49%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 46%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 45%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 45%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 43%

    Drafting, laying out, and specifying parts

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

  • 42%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 41%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 37%

    Working with computers

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

  • 76%

    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.

  • 29%

    Creative

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

  • 19%

    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.

  • 48%

    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.

  • 48%

    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.

  • 38%

    Achievement

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

  • 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.

  • 29%

    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.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 97%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 94%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 93%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 90%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 90%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 86%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 85%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 80%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 79%

    Contact with people

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

  • 78%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 77%

    Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings

    Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.

  • 77%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 74%

    Pace of work set by equipment

    Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.

  • 73%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 71%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 69%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 67%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 66%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 66%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 65%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

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, 51-4041.00 - Machinists.


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