Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators

ANZSCO ID 711599

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
130
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
93%
Female Share
13%
Average age
40

Summary

Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators includes jobs like Thermoforming Machine Operator.

Tasks

  • Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation.

  • Measures and loads materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms.

  • Monitors operation, regulates material supply and adds chemicals and colorants to mixture.

  • Threads uncoated wire and cable through plastic coating machines, around take-up reels and through dies and cooling chambers.

  • Lays casings, beads, ply and rubber sheets on moulds.

  • Operates rollers to remove air.

  • Operates vulcaniser presses and controls curing.

  • Examines output for defects and conformity to specifications.

  • Performs minor repairs and maintains production records.


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, Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 93% of people employed as Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 27 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
Manufacturing
74.8%
2
Construction
3.9%
3
Retail Trade
2.4%
4
Administrative and Support Services
2.4%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

22.0% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

54.5% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

9.8% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

5.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

8.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

0.0% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.0% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators All Jobs Average
NSW 22.0 31.6
VIC 54.5 25.6
QLD 9.8 20.0
SA 5.7 7.0
WA 8.1 10.8
TAS 0.0 2.0
NT 0.0 1.0
ACT 0.0 1.9


  • Around 84% of Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.

    Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.

    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
40
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
13%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.

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

    Females make up 13% of the workforce. This is 35 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 Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators All Jobs Average
15-19 0.0 5.0
20-24 5.0 9.3
25-34 27.5 22.9
35-44 21.7 22.0
45-54 23.3 21.6
55-59 15.0 9.0
60-64 7.5 6.0
65 and Over 0.0 4.2
Median Age 40 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 usually required to work as an Other Plastics or Rubber Production Machine Operator. Some workers have a certificate II or III in polymer processing.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking 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 Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.0 10.1
Bachelor degree 5.5 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 5.5 11.6
Certificate III/IV 9.2 21.1
Year 12 36.7 18.1
Year 11 8.3 4.8
Year 10 and below 34.9 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 Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators who are hardworking, can work well with others and are reliable.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 57%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 54%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 50%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 45%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 45%

    Monitoring

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

  • 43%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 41%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 41%

    Time management

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

  • 39%

    Active listening

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

  • 39%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 37%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 37%

    Systems analysis

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

  • 36%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 36%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 36%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 34%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 34%

    Active learning

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

  • 34%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 32%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 59%

    Production and processing

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

  • 58%

    Mechanical

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

  • 50%

    Education and training

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

  • 48%

    English language

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

  • 45%

    Chemistry

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

  • 44%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 40%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 36%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 36%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 35%

    Administration and management

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

  • 33%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 31%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 31%

    Psychology

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

  • 26%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 22%

    Transportation

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

  • 21%

    Physics

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

  • 21%

    Clerical

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

  • 18%

    Economics and accounting

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

  • 18%

    Technical design

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

  • 14%

    Telecommunications

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 52%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 50%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 48%

    Control precision

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

  • 48%

    Extent flexibility

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

  • 48%

    Reaction time

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

  • 46%

    Near vision

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

  • 46%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 45%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 45%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 45%

    Rate control

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

  • 45%

    Trunk strength

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

  • 43%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 43%

    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%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 43%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 39%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 37%

    Stamina

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


Activities

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

  • 89%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 70%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 60%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 55%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 53%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 52%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

  • 50%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 49%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 49%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 47%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 47%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 46%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 46%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 44%

    Training and teaching others

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

  • 40%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

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

  • 39%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

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

  • 38%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 37%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 35%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 34%

    Documenting or recording information

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


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.

  • 52%

    Administrative

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

  • 29%

    Enterprising

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

  • 19%

    Analytical

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

  • 14%

    Creative

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

  • 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.
  • 71%

    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.

  • 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.

  • 38%

    Achievement

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

  • 38%

    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.

  • 31%

    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%

    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:
  • 96%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 93%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 92%

    Contact with people

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

  • 92%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 91%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 89%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 84%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 83%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 82%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 80%

    Pace of work set by equipment

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

  • 80%

    Responsible for outcomes

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

  • 78%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 78%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 78%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 77%

    Dangerous equipment

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

  • 76%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 76%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 76%

    Walking and running

    Spend time walking and running.

  • 76%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 75%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

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, 51-9191.00 - Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders.


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