Other Science Technicians

ANZSCO ID 311499

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
1,300
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
71%
Female Share
35%
Average age
44

Summary

Other Science Technicians includes jobs like Calibration Technician, Fibre Technologist, Optics Technical Officer, Physics Technical Officer, and Textile Technical Officer.

Tasks

  • Prepares materials for experimentation, including freezing and slicing specimens and mixing chemicals.

  • Collects information and samples.

  • Conducts field and laboratory experiments, tests and analyses.

  • Presents results in graphic or written form by preparing maps charts, sketches, diagrams and reports.

  • Performs routine mathematical calculations and computations of measurement.

  • Controls the quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage.

  • Checks, calibrates and maintains test equipment.

  • Participates in fabricating, installing and modifying equipment to ensure that critical standards are met.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
High skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • University
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Analytical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Light

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, Science Technicians, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 71% of people employed as Other Science Technicians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 5 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 42 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
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
27.8%
2
Manufacturing
14.0%
3
Public Administration and Safety
12.1%
4
Mining
4.8%
5
Other industries
31.6%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

26.0% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

29.8% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

16.6% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.5% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

15.9% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.5% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.9% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.8% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Other Science Technicians All Jobs Average
NSW 26.0 31.6
VIC 29.8 25.6
QLD 16.6 20.0
SA 6.5 7.0
WA 15.9 10.8
TAS 1.5 2.0
NT 1.9 1.0
ACT 1.8 1.9


  • Around 65% of Other Science Technicians live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.

    Western Australia and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their 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
44
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
35%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Other Science Technicians 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 35% of the workforce. This is 13 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 Science Technicians All Jobs Average
15-19 1.1 5.0
20-24 6.2 9.3
25-34 20.0 22.9
35-44 23.0 22.0
45-54 26.2 21.6
55-59 10.8 9.0
60-64 7.7 6.0
65 and Over 4.9 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

This group includes jobs that might have different study pathways.

Visit

  • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
  • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Laboratory Operations, Food Processing and Australian Meat Processing 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 Science Technicians All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 9.6 10.1
Bachelor degree 24.0 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 18.2 11.6
Certificate III/IV 26.4 21.1
Year 12 12.7 18.1
Year 11 2.6 4.8
Year 10 and below 6.5 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 Science Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 52%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 52%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 50%

    Active listening

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

  • 50%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 50%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 50%

    Installation

    Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.

  • 48%

    Monitoring

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

  • 48%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 48%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 46%

    Active learning

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

  • 46%

    Equipment selection

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

  • 46%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 45%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 45%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 45%

    Time management

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

  • 43%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 43%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 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.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 69%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 68%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 66%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 66%

    Mechanical

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

  • 60%

    Technical design

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

  • 59%

    Physics

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

  • 52%

    English language

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

  • 49%

    Education and training

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

  • 46%

    Chemistry

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

  • 46%

    Clerical

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

  • 41%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 40%

    Production and processing

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

  • 38%

    Telecommunications

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

  • 37%

    Administration and management

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

  • 35%

    Communications and media

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

  • 32%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 27%

    Building and construction

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

  • 27%

    Law and government

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

  • 23%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 22%

    Sales and marketing

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 55%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 55%

    Near vision

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

  • 54%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 52%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 50%

    Control precision

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

  • 50%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 50%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 50%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 48%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 48%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 48%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 48%

    Colour discrimination

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

  • 46%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 45%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 45%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 45%

    Visualization

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

  • 43%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 41%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 41%

    Flexibility of closure

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

  • 39%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.


Activities

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

  • 68%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 66%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 65%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 65%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 61%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 60%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 60%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 59%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 58%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 57%

    Thinking creatively

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

  • 57%

    Working with computers

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

  • 55%

    Drafting, laying out, and specifying parts

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

  • 55%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

  • 54%

    Working with electronic equipment

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

  • 53%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 52%

    Training and teaching others

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

  • 50%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 49%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 47%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 45%

    Explaining things to people

    Helping people to understand and use 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%

    Analytical

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

  • 57%

    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.

  • 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.
  • 67%

    Achievement

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

  • 67%

    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%

    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.

  • 62%

    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.

  • 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.

  • 62%

    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.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 94%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 90%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 90%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 89%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 87%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 84%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 79%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 77%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 76%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 74%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 73%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 72%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 71%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 71%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 69%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 65%

    Contact with people

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

  • 64%

    Letters and memos

    Write letters and memos.

  • 63%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 63%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 62%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

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, 17-3029.08 - Photonics Technicians.


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