Despatching and Receiving Clerks

ANZSCO ID 591211

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
22,500
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
88%
Female Share
32%
Average age
42

Summary

Despatching and Receiving Clerks verify and maintain records of incoming and outgoing goods in warehouse or distribution centres and prepare goods for despatch.

Also known as: Despatch Clerk or Freight Clerk.

Specialisations: Aircraft Load Controller, Shipping and Receiving Clerk, Truck Despatcher.

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Despatching and Receiving Clerk. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in logistics or warehousing operations.

Tasks

  • Identifies items and containers of incoming and outgoing shipments and verifies them against consignment records.

  • Ensures outgoing shipments are in good condition and meet specifications.

  • Arranges internal distribution of goods received.

  • Organises the dispatch of goods with completed documentation.

  • Maintains prescribed records of goods received and dispatched.

  • Examines shipping documents and verifies cargo to be released.

  • Records customs clearance requirements and authorises collection of cargo.

  • Calculates storage and clearance charges and bills customers.

  • Receives details of outgoing cargo, and arranges bookings of freight space and collection of goods from customers.

  • Provides information to customers on custom tariffs, tariff classifications and concessions, and methods of clearing goods.

Characteristics

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

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, Transport and Despatch Clerks, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 88% of people employed as Despatching and Receiving Clerks work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 22 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.

    Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.


Industries

Main industries

1
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
44.4%
2
Manufacturing
14.2%
3
Wholesale Trade
8.5%
4
Retail Trade
7.9%
5
Other industries
21.0%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

30.2% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

26.1% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

21.5% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

12.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.6% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.7% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Despatching and Receiving Clerks All Jobs Average
NSW 30.2 31.6
VIC 26.1 25.6
QLD 21.5 20.0
SA 6.7 7.0
WA 12.1 10.8
TAS 1.6 2.0
NT 1.0 1.0
ACT 0.7 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
42
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
32%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Despatching and Receiving Clerks is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.

    Females make up 32% of the workforce. This is 16 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 Despatching and Receiving Clerks All Jobs Average
15-19 0.9 5.0
20-24 6.2 9.3
25-34 23.9 22.9
35-44 25.6 22.0
45-54 24.8 21.6
55-59 9.9 9.0
60-64 6.0 6.0
65 and Over 2.7 4.2
Median Age 42 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 Despatching and Receiving Clerk. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in logistics or warehousing operations.

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)

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 Despatching and Receiving Clerks All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 3.7 10.1
Bachelor degree 10.0 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.0 11.6
Certificate III/IV 22.7 21.1
Year 12 26.1 18.1
Year 11 7.8 4.8
Year 10 and below 18.7 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 Transport and Despatch Clerks who provide good customer service, can work independently as well as part of a team and can communicate clearly.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 43%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 41%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 39%

    Active listening

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

  • 39%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 39%

    Monitoring

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

  • 37%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 37%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 36%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 34%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 34%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 32%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 32%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 32%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 32%

    Time management

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

  • 30%

    Active learning

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

  • 29%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 29%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 29%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 29%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 27%

    Quality control analysis

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


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 48%

    Clerical

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

  • 45%

    Production and processing

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

  • 41%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 41%

    Administration and management

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

  • 40%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 38%

    English language

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

  • 37%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 33%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 27%

    Education and training

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

  • 24%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 19%

    Mechanical

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

  • 18%

    Geography

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

  • 17%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 17%

    Law and government

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

  • 14%

    Communications and media

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

  • 14%

    Psychology

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

  • 13%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.

  • 12%

    Telecommunications

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

  • 12%

    Building and construction

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

  • 11%

    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..

  • 48%

    Near vision

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

  • 48%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 45%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 45%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 41%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 41%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 41%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 41%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 39%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 39%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 39%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 39%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 39%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 37%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 37%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 36%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 34%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 34%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.


Activities

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

  • 77%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 60%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 52%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 52%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 51%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 51%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 51%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 49%

    Working with computers

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

  • 48%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 47%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 45%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 45%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 43%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 40%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 40%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 38%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

  • 38%

    Communicating with the public

    Giving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 37%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 34%

    Providing office support

    Doing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.

  • 32%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.


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.

  • 90%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 71%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 52%

    Enterprising

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

  • 14%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 14%

    Creative

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

  • 14%

    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.
  • 76%

    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.

  • 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.

  • 43%

    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.

  • 40%

    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.

  • 38%

    Achievement

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

  • 38%

    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:
  • 92%

    Contact with people

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

  • 92%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 88%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 87%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 84%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 83%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 81%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 77%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 77%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 77%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 75%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 74%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 74%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 73%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 73%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 72%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 72%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 71%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 67%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 67%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

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, 43-5071.00 - Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks.


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