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Paper and Pulp Mill Operators

ANZSCO ID 712916

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Overview

Snapshot

Employed
1,200
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
90%
Female Share
8%
Average age
47
About this data

Summary

Paper and Pulp Mill Operators operate plants to produce paper pulp from woodchips and to make paper sheets.

Also known as: Paper Machine Operator or Paper Maker.

Specialisations: Bleach Plant Operator, Dryerman/woman (Paper Mill), Fourdrinier Machine Operator, Inverform Machine Operator, Paper Rewinder Operator, Paperboard Machine Operator.

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Paper and Pulp Mill Operator. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in pulping operations and papermaking operations.

Tasks

  • Loads the digester with raw materials and chemicals.

  • Regulates and adjusts the temperature and pressure within the digester.

  • Tests samples by titration or standard colour test to determine completion of process.

  • Drains liquid from digester and monitors the removal of the cooked pulp.

  • Takes samples of bleached material for laboratory testing.

  • Washes bleached material and blends to obtain uniform quality.

  • May be required to add chemicals during the bleaching process and complete chemical or electrolytic tests.

  • Undertakes the addition of size, fillers, dyes, alum and chemicals, and tests for correct consistency.

  • Ensures transfer of completed batch to storage tanks where it is kept under agitation to maintain consistency.

  • May mix and cook colouring matter for dyeing product in the machine.

  • Controls flow of wet pulp through rotary screens to paper making machines.

  • Operates drier and calendar rollers.

  • Operates super-calendar to impart gloss and finish to surface of paper.

  • Operates machine to glaze or impregnate paper with coating mixture.

  • Separates sheets from felts and lays sheets in packs, re-presses packs.

  • Separates sheets from pack and dries.

Characteristics

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, Other Stationary Plant Operators, under the outlook section.

Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 90% of people employed as Paper and Pulp Mill Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 24 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.

    Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.

Industries

Main industries

1
Manufacturing
82.6%
2
Wholesale Trade
2.1%
3
Information Media and Telecommunications
2.1%
4
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
2.0%
5
Other industries
3.6%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

28.8% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

44.5% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

9.1% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

4.9% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

3.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

9.2% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.3% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.3% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Paper and Pulp Mill Operators All Jobs Average
NSW 28.8 31.6
VIC 44.5 25.6
QLD 9.1 20.0
SA 4.9 7.0
WA 3.1 10.8
TAS 9.2 2.0
NT 0.3 1.0
ACT 0.3 1.9


  • Around 41% of Paper and Pulp Mill Operators live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Victoria and Tasmania 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
47
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
8%
All Jobs Average is 48%

  • The median age of Paper and Pulp Mill Operators is 47 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 8% of the workforce. This is 40 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 Paper and Pulp Mill Operators All Jobs Average
15-19 0.3 5.0
20-24 3.8 9.3
25-34 15.6 22.9
35-44 22.7 22.0
45-54 32.0 21.6
55-59 14.5 9.0
60-64 8.8 6.0
65 and Over 2.3 4.2
Median Age 47 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 Paper and Pulp Mill Operator. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in pulping operations and papermaking operations.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.

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 Paper and Pulp Mill Operators All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.8 10.1
Bachelor degree 4.7 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 5.7 11.6
Certificate III/IV 29.6 21.1
Year 12 22.7 18.1
Year 11 8.0 4.8
Year 10 and below 28.6 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 Stationary Plant Operators who communicate well with others, are polite, courteous and reliable.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 54%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 45%

    Monitoring

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

  • 45%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 43%

    Active listening

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

  • 43%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 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%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 41%

    Learning strategies

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

  • 41%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 41%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 41%

    Time management

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

  • 41%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 39%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 39%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 37%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 37%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 37%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 37%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 34%

    Management of personnel resources

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

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.

  • 54%

    Mechanical

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

  • 46%

    Education and training

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

  • 44%

    Chemistry

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

  • 42%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 38%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 38%

    English language

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

  • 37%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 37%

    Physics

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

  • 36%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 33%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 32%

    Administration and management

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

  • 26%

    Food production

    Planting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.

  • 25%

    Communications and media

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

  • 25%

    Psychology

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

  • 25%

    Clerical

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

  • 24%

    Biology

    Plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.

  • 23%

    Transportation

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

  • 21%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 14%

    Telecommunications

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

Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 54%

    Near vision

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

  • 50%

    Reaction time

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

  • 50%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 48%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 48%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 46%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 45%

    Extent flexibility

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

  • 45%

    Flexibility of closure

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

  • 43%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 43%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Colour discrimination

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

  • 43%

    Control precision

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

  • 43%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 43%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 43%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 43%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 43%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 41%

    Hearing sensitivity

    Tell the difference between sounds.

  • 39%

    Balance

    Keep your balance or stay upright.

Activities

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

  • 72%

    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.

  • 62%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 61%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 58%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 57%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 56%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 54%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 52%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 51%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 50%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 47%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 47%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 45%

    Making sense of information and ideas

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

  • 43%

    Training and teaching others

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

  • 41%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 41%

    Working with computers

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

  • 40%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 40%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 35%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

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

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.

  • 71%

    Administrative

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

  • 62%

    Analytical

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

  • 33%

    Enterprising

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

  • 19%

    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.

Values

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

  • 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.

  • 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%

    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.

  • 33%

    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%

    Achievement

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

Demands

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

  • 98%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 93%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 91%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 87%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 85%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 83%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

    Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).

  • 83%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 80%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 80%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 79%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 77%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 77%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

  • 76%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 73%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 72%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 72%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 70%

    Conflict situations

    Deal with conflict or disagreements.

  • 70%

    Dangerous equipment

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

  • 70%

    Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings

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

  • 70%

    Automation of tasks

    Do tasks that are mostly automated.

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, 51-9012.00 - Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.

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