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Other Technicians and Trades Workers

ANZSCO ID 3999

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Overview

Snapshot

Employed
22,300
Future Growth
6.1%
Weekly Earnings
$1,331
Full-Time Share
60%
Female Share
39%
Average age
40
About this data

Summary

Other Technicians and Trades Workers includes a wide variety of occupations such as Divers, Interior Decorators, Optical Dispensers, Optical Mechanics, Photographer's Assistants, Plastics Technicians, Wool Classers and Fire Protection Equipment Technicians.

Tasks

  • swims underwater to undertake tasks such as seafood gathering, research, salvage and construction

  • plans the interior design of commercial or residential premises and arranges for decorating work to be done

  • interprets optical prescriptions, and fits and services optical appliances such as spectacle frames and lenses

  • operates machines to grind, polish and surface optical lenses to meet prescription requirements, and fits lenses to spectacle frames

  • assists photographers in taking and developing photographs

  • sets up, adjusts, repairs and troubleshoots machines which manufacture plastics products

  • classifies wool to industry standards or market requirements

Characteristics

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 22,100 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
6.1%
(or 1,300 jobs)
From
20,800
in 2021
To
22,100
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 15,100
2012 17,200
2013 12,900
2014 15,400
2015 16,900
2016 19,500
2017 18,500
2018 22,300
2019 14,900
2020 18,800
2021 20,800
2026 22,100

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 68% of people employed as Other Technicians and Trades Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is similar to 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 $1,331 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,200
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,708

    Median hourly earnings are $32, 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 Other Technicians and Trades Workers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,331 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
Health Care and Social Assistance
39.3%
2
Construction
16.2%
3
Public Administration and Safety
15.7%
4
Other Services
7.3%
5
Other industries
21.5%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

32.6% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

24.5% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

19.2% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

8.1% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

11.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.4% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.8% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.4% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Other Technicians and Trades Workers All Jobs Average
NSW 32.6 31.6
VIC 24.5 25.6
QLD 19.2 20.0
SA 8.1 7.0
WA 11.1 10.8
TAS 2.4 2.0
NT 0.8 1.0
ACT 1.4 1.9


  • Around 60% of Other Technicians and Trades Workers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.

    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
39%
All Jobs Average is 48%

  • The median age of Other Technicians and Trades Workers 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 39% of the workforce. This is 9 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 Technicians and Trades Workers All Jobs Average
15-19 2.1 5.0
20-24 10.4 9.3
25-34 24.6 22.9
35-44 23.0 22.0
45-54 22.0 21.6
55-59 8.5 9.0
60-64 5.8 6.0
65 and Over 3.7 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

A Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related area is usually needed to work as an Other Technician or Trades Worker.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Health Industry, Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking and Property 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 Other Technicians and Trades Workers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 2.9 10.1
Bachelor degree 12.5 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 15.4 11.6
Certificate III/IV 34.9 21.1
Year 12 19.5 18.1
Year 11 4.4 4.8
Year 10 and below 10.4 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 Other Technicians and Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 54%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 54%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 52%

    Active listening

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

  • 52%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 46%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 45%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 45%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 45%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 43%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 43%

    Monitoring

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

  • 41%

    Active learning

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

  • 41%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 41%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 41%

    Learning strategies

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

  • 41%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 39%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 39%

    Time management

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

  • 37%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 34%

    Quality control analysis

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

Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 79%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 64%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 61%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 58%

    Clerical

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

  • 56%

    Administration and management

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

  • 52%

    Education and training

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

  • 49%

    English language

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

  • 47%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 46%

    Production and processing

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

  • 44%

    Economics and accounting

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

  • 43%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 41%

    Mechanical

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

  • 37%

    Law and government

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

  • 32%

    Psychology

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

  • 32%

    Medicine and dentistry

    Diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.

  • 30%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 27%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 27%

    Communications and media

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

  • 24%

    Physics

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

  • 16%

    Telecommunications

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

Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 57%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 57%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 55%

    Near vision

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

  • 52%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 50%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 48%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 48%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 46%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 46%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 45%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 45%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 43%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 43%

    Colour discrimination

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

  • 43%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 41%

    Brainstorming

    Come up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.

  • 41%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 41%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 36%

    Multitasking

    Do two or more things at the same time.

Activities

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

  • 75%

    Working with the public

    Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.

  • 74%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 64%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 63%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 60%

    Managing payments and orders

    Monitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.

  • 60%

    Influencing people

    Convincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.

  • 60%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 59%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 59%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 59%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 58%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 57%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 54%

    Making sense of information and ideas

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

  • 54%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 52%

    Helping and caring for others

    Providing personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.

  • 50%

    Explaining things to people

    Helping people to understand and use information.

  • 49%

    Providing office support

    Doing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.

  • 48%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 48%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 45%

    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.

  • 90%

    Enterprising

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

  • 76%

    Administrative

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

  • 62%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 62%

    Practical

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

  • 24%

    Analytical

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

  • 24%

    Creative

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

Values

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

  • 76%

    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.

  • 71%

    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%

    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.

  • 55%

    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.

  • 52%

    Achievement

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

  • 48%

    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:

  • 98%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 97%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 96%

    Contact with people

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

  • 95%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 95%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 89%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 87%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 87%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 85%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 85%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 81%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 78%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 77%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 75%

    Letters and memos

    Write letters and memos.

  • 73%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 71%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 70%

    Angry or unpleasant people

    Deal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.

  • 64%

    Conflict situations

    Deal with conflict or disagreements.

  • 61%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 60%

    Competition

    Compete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.

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, 29-2081.00 - Opticians, Dispensing.

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