Taxi Drivers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Taxi Drivers drive taxis to transport passengers to destinations on a fee-for-service basis, usually on a short-term, metered fare hiring arrangement.
Tasks
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Stops at requested locations to pick up and set down passengers and their baggage.
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Collects fares and gives change.
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Controls lighting, heating and ventilation for passenger comfort.
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Observes prescribed speeds, nearby traffic, travelling conditions and signals to ensure safe arrival of passengers.
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Ensures passengers arrive at destinations on time.
Characteristics
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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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Enterprising
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
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, Automobile Drivers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 63% of people employed as Taxi Drivers 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 49 hours per week in their main job. This is 5 hours more than 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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Most Taxi Drivers work in the Transport, postal and warehousing industry.
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 | Taxi Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 37.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 75% of Taxi Drivers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - Parramatta
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - North West.
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 Taxi Drivers is 46 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 4% of the workforce. This is 44 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 | Taxi Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 25.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 19.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 10.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 10.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 46 | 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 Taxi Driver. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in driving operations.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Taxi Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 9.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 19.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 16.7 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 12.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 25.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.1 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 14.8 | 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 Automobile Drivers who are responsible, provide good customer service and work independently.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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36%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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36%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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34%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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32%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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32%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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32%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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30%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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30%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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29%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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51%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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51%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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39%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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37%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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36%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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35%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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29%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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29%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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25%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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25%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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25%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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24%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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23%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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21%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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20%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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20%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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18%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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18%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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16%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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15%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
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52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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52%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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50%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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46%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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45%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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43%
Peripheral visionSee things to your side when your eyes are looking ahead.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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41%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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39%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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37%
Glare sensitivitySee things in glare or bright lighting.
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36%
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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65%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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59%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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55%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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53%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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52%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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51%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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50%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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50%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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50%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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49%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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48%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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47%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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47%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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45%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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44%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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43%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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43%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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40%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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31%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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27%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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71%
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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43%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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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%
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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48%
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%
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%
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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33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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29%
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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93%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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90%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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85%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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82%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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80%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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74%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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74%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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73%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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68%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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67%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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66%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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65%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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65%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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62%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
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61%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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59%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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59%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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, 53-3041.00 - Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs.
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.