Broadcast Transmitter Operators

ANZSCO ID 399511

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
410
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
79%
Female Share
21%
Average age
34

Summary

Broadcast Transmitter Operators operate consoles to control radio or television broadcast transmitters.

Tasks

  • Operates microwave equipment to transmit video information to transmitter sites and receive video signals from remote locations.

  • Maintains and repairs radio and television transmitters and associated equipment.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • University
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Analytical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Light
  • Medium

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, Performing Arts Technicians, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 79% of people employed as Broadcast Transmitter Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 13 percentage points above 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

1
Information Media and Telecommunications
90.7%
2
Public Administration and Safety
2.0%
3
Arts and Recreation Services
1.0%
4
Construction
0.7%
5
Other industries
2.2%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

55.9% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

21.0% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

7.3% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

1.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

5.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

0.7% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.7% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

6.6% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Broadcast Transmitter Operators All Jobs Average
NSW 55.9 31.6
VIC 21.0 25.6
QLD 7.3 20.0
SA 1.7 7.0
WA 5.1 10.8
TAS 0.7 2.0
NT 1.7 1.0
ACT 6.6 1.9


  • Around 84% of Broadcast Transmitter Operators live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.

    New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have a large share of employment relative to their population size.

    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
34
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
21%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Broadcast Transmitter Operators is 34 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.

    Females make up 21% of the workforce. This is 27 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 Broadcast Transmitter Operators All Jobs Average
15-19 1.7 5.0
20-24 10.9 9.3
25-34 39.7 22.9
35-44 21.5 22.0
45-54 18.2 21.6
55-59 4.1 9.0
60-64 3.1 6.0
65 and Over 0.7 4.2
Median Age 34 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 Broadcast Transmitter Operator. Although most workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in broadcast technology, audio visual studies or communication and media studies.

Visit

  • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
  • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Creative Arts and Culture VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Type of Qualification Broadcast Transmitter Operators All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 2.5 10.1
Bachelor degree 29.2 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 20.8 11.6
Certificate III/IV 13.7 21.1
Year 12 29.2 18.1
Year 11 2.5 4.8
Year 10 and below 2.2 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 Performing Arts Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 54%

    Monitoring

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

  • 52%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 52%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 50%

    Active listening

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

  • 48%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 48%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 48%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 48%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 46%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 45%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 45%

    Active learning

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

  • 45%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 43%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 43%

    Systems analysis

    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.

  • 43%

    Time management

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

  • 43%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 41%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 41%

    Learning strategies

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

  • 41%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 41%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 70%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 62%

    Telecommunications

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

  • 61%

    Communications and media

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

  • 60%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 51%

    Mechanical

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

  • 50%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 47%

    Education and training

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

  • 47%

    Administration and management

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

  • 47%

    English language

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

  • 44%

    Clerical

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

  • 42%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 40%

    Production and processing

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

  • 38%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 35%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 33%

    Psychology

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

  • 32%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 31%

    Physics

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

  • 28%

    Law and government

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

  • 27%

    Geography

    Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.

  • 27%

    Personnel and human resources

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 59%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 55%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 54%

    Near vision

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

  • 54%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 52%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 52%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 52%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 50%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 50%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 50%

    Colour discrimination

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

  • 48%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 48%

    Flexibility of closure

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

  • 48%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 46%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 46%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 46%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 46%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 45%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 45%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 43%

    Brainstorming

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


Activities

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

  • 69%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 66%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 58%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 58%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 57%

    Working with computers

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

  • 56%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 54%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 53%

    Working with electronic equipment

    Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.

  • 52%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 50%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 49%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 49%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 48%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 48%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 47%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 46%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 45%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 42%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 40%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 31%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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


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.

  • 76%

    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.

  • 29%

    Enterprising

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

  • 24%

    Creative

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

  • 24%

    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.
  • 62%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 57%

    Achievement

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

  • 57%

    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.

  • 52%

    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.

  • 48%

    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.

  • 43%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 97%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 88%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 88%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 87%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 82%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 76%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 74%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 73%

    Contact with people

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

  • 72%

    Spend time sitting

    Spend time sitting at work.

  • 71%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 68%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 65%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 65%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 64%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 64%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 58%

    Letters and memos

    Write letters and memos.

  • 58%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 58%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 58%

    Pace of work set by equipment

    Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.

  • 58%

    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, 27-4012.00 - Broadcast Technicians.


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