Recycling Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Recycling Workers perform routine tasks in recycling facilities, such as sorting, packing and storing plastics, glass, paper, metals and other recyclable materials which have been collected from household, commercial and industrial premises in preparation for use in creating new products.
Also known as: Recycling Sorter.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Recycling Worker.
Tasks
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Dismantles products (such as cars and appliances) and separates their components.
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Identifies and removes hazardous substances (including chemicals from discarded appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators).
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Sorts materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for cleaning, recycling, processing, storing, shipping or grading.
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Cleans materials (such as metals) according to recycling requirements and prepares them for production (such as cutting in preparation for fabrication or processing).
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Operates equipment, such as forklifts, automated refuse and manual recycling collection vehicles, to move materials for processing.
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Deposits recoverable materials into chutes or places materials on conveyor belts.
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Maintains a clean work area to ensure workplace safety.
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Cleans, disassembles, repairs and maintains the recycling equipment so that it works properly.
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Cuts discarded products (such as appliances and automobiles) into small pieces using saws, blow torches and other hand or power tools, for easier disposal.
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May collect recyclable materials from curb sides for delivery to designated facilities.
Characteristics
- 839911 Cement and Concrete Plant Workers
- 839912 Chemical Plant Workers
- 839913 Clay Processing Factory Workers
- 839914 Fabric and Textile Factory Workers
- 839915 Footwear Factory Workers
- 839916 Glass Processing Workers
- 839917 Hide and Skin Processing Workers
- 839918 Recycling Workers
- 839999 Factory Process Workers (not covered elsewhere)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
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Medium
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Heavy
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Very Heavy
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 Factory Process Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 59% of people employed as Recycling Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 7 percentage points below 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
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Recycling Workers work in industries like:
- Electricity, gas, water and waste services
- Wholesale trade
- Health care and social assistance
- Manufacturing.
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 | Recycling Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 14.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 51% of Recycling Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
South Australia has a large share of employment relative to its 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
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The median age of Recycling Workers is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 15% of the workforce. This is 33 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 | Recycling Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 6.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 13.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 21.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 19.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 39 | 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 a Recycling Worker.
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 | Recycling Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 14.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 25.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 9.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 44.4 | 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 Factory Process Workers who are reliable, can work independently and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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32%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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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%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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27%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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68%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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57%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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55%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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52%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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51%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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50%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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44%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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43%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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39%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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38%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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37%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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33%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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33%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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31%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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31%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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29%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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27%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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26%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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25%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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19%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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54%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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43%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Speed of limb movementQuickly move the arms and legs.
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39%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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39%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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39%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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37%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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74%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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63%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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63%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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59%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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56%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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55%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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53%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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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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52%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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52%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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50%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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48%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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48%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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47%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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45%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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45%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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44%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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43%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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42%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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42%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, 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.
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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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95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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24%
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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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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52%
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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43%
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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38%
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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33%
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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97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
89%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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87%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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86%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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85%
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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80%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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80%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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79%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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76%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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74%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
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73%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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73%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
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72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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72%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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72%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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71%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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71%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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71%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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70%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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70%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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, 51-9199.01 - Recycling and Reclamation Workers.
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.