Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials coach, train and instruct participants in sports, and officiate at sporting events.
Tasks
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coaching, training and instructing sportspersons by analysing performances and developing abilities
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planning and directing game strategies, developing play patterns and analysing game progress
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motivating Sportspersons and supervising practice sessions
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recruiting players and other coaching staff
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arranging entries into sporting competitions
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promoting sports and skills development, and overseeing the participation of young people in sport
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officiating at sporting events to enforce rules
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coordinating and directing sporting activities, and liaising with other officials to interpret and enforce rules and regulations relating to sport
Characteristics
- 452311 Scuba, Snorkelling and Dive instructors
- 452312 Gymnastics Coaches and Instructors
- 452313 Horse Riding Coaches and Instructors
- 452314 Snowsport Instructors
- 452315 Swimming Coaches and Instructors
- 452316 Tennis Coaches
- 452317 Other Sports Coaches and Instructors
- 452318 Dog and Horse Racing Officials
- 452321 Sports Development Officers
- 452322 Sports Umpires
- 452323 Other Sports Officials
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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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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow strongly
- is likely to reach 44,000 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 39,700 |
2012 | 38,000 |
2013 | 42,500 |
2014 | 44,200 |
2015 | 47,300 |
2016 | 37,300 |
2017 | 44,400 |
2018 | 51,800 |
2019 | 48,600 |
2020 | 40,900 |
2021 | 40,100 |
2026 | 44,000 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 19% of people employed as Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 47 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 46 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,254 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,077
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,353
Median hourly earnings are $33, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,254 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials work in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 70% of Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
- Melbourne - Inner
- Melbourne - Inner East
- Melbourne - Inner South
- Gold Coast.
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 Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials is 23 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 15 to 19 years.
Females make up 50% of the workforce. This is similar to 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 | Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 33.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 22.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 13.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 12.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 10.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 3.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.4 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 23 | 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
A high level of sporting knowledge and skill is needed to work as a Sports Coach, Instructor or Official. Some workers also have formal qualifications. Courses are often available through the relevant industry association or Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Sport, Fitness and Recreation VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 3.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 14.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 10.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 38.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 16.4 | 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 Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials who are reliable, caring, compassionate and empathetic, with the ability to provide good customer service.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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70%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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68%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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66%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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61%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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59%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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59%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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59%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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59%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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57%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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57%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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57%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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57%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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57%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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55%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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55%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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55%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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54%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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52%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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50%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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69%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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68%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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60%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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55%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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53%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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50%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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49%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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44%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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40%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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40%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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37%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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37%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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34%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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33%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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32%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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29%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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27%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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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%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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20%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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66%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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66%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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61%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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59%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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59%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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57%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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55%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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55%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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54%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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52%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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48%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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48%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
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45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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82%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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80%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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70%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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70%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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66%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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66%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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65%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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63%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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62%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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62%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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61%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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61%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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60%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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60%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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59%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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57%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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57%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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56%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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43%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process 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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86%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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81%
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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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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29%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
Values
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86%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
86%
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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86%
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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57%
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.
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57%
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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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.
Demands
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98%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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95%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
94%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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93%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
89%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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89%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
88%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
86%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
-
86%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
86%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
78%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
78%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
76%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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76%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
75%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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73%
Public speakingTalk to a group of people.
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72%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
71%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
66%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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66%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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, 27-2022.00 - Coaches and Scouts.
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.