Product Testers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Product Testers collect product samples, conduct tests to determine quality of produce and maintain records of results.
Specialisations: Coal Sample Tester, Glassware Verifier, Iron Pellet Tester.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Product Tester. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in a related field, such as manufacturing, engineering trades, sciences or technology.
Tasks
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Collects and labels samples for inspection.
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Records details of sampling procedures and sources of samples.
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Prepares samples and carries out prescribed tests.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
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, Product Quality Controllers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 87% of people employed as Product Testers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 21 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
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Product Testers work in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Product Testers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 26.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 7.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 46% of Product Testers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - West
- Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
- Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Ipswich.
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
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The median age of Product Testers is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 27% of the workforce. This is 21 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)
Age Bracket | Product Testers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 25.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.3 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 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 Product Tester. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in a related field, such as manufacturing, engineering trades, sciences or technology.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Product Testers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 5.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 18.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 12.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 24.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 19.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 13.9 | 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 Product Quality Controllers who pay attention to detail, can communicate clearly and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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36%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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30%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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29%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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27%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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49%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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47%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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42%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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39%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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38%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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33%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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32%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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31%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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31%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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26%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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24%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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24%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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18%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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14%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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13%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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13%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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12%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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12%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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11%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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54%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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45%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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39%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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39%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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39%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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65%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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54%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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53%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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53%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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53%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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53%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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50%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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49%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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49%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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49%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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49%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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49%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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45%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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44%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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44%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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40%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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39%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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37%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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36%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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.
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95%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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90%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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43%
RelationshipsServe 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.
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40%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
IndependenceWork 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.
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24%
RecognitionAdvancement 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
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95%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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92%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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88%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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88%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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86%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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86%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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83%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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82%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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81%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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81%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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78%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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77%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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75%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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75%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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72%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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71%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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71%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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69%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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68%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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, 51-9061.00 - Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.