Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians

ANZSCO ID 3124

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
4,000
Future Growth
-2.9%
Weekly Earnings
$2,184
Full-Time Share
85%
Female Share
8%
Average age
43

Summary

Electronic Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians assist in electronic engineering research, design, manufacture, assembly, construction, operation and maintenance of equipment, facilities and distribution systems.

Tasks

  • preparing drawings, plans and diagrams for electronic engineering work

  • developing, constructing and testing electronic equipment and associated circuitry in accordance with technical manuals and instructions of Electronics Engineers and Engineering Technologists

  • performing tests, graphing results, preparing charts and tabulations

  • estimating material costs and quantities

  • evaluating performance of equipment

  • inspecting designs and finished products for compliance with specifications, drawings, contracts and regulations

  • installing, testing, repairing and modifying electronic equipment

Characteristics

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

Outlook

Employment 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 in this occupation is likely to remain stable.

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.

Projected Change
-2.9%
(or -100 jobs)
From
5,000
in 2021
To
4,800
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 5,200
2012 6,000
2013 4,700
2014 2,400
2015 5,500
2016 4,800
2017 7,200
2018 7,000
2019 6,400
2020 2,300
2021 5,000
2026 4,800

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

  • Around 88% of people employed as Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians 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 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    Median full-time earnings are $2,184 per week, this is much higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,895
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $2,827

    Median hourly earnings are $52, this is more 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)

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.
Earnings Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 2,184 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

1
Information Media and Telecommunications
30.4%
2
Manufacturing
26.1%
3
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
21.7%
4
Mining
4.3%
5
Other industries
15.2%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

31.7% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

22.0% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

18.5% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

8.4% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

12.0% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.5% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

2.2% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

3.7% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians All Jobs Average
NSW 31.7 31.6
VIC 22.0 25.6
QLD 18.5 20.0
SA 8.4 7.0
WA 12.0 10.8
TAS 1.5 2.0
NT 2.2 1.0
ACT 3.7 1.9


  • Around 72% of Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.

    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
43
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
8%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Electronic Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians is 43 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.

    Females make up 8% of the workforce. This is 40 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 Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians All Jobs Average
15-19 1.2 5.0
20-24 7.7 9.3
25-34 22.8 22.9
35-44 20.9 22.0
45-54 23.8 21.6
55-59 11.5 9.0
60-64 7.6 6.0
65 and Over 4.5 4.2
Median Age 43 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 Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in electrical or electronics engineering or another related field is usually needed to work as an Electronic Engineering Draftsperson or Technician. Some workers have a university qualification.

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 Electrotechnology, Transmission & Distribution, Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector and Metal and Engineering 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 Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 4.3 10.1
Bachelor degree 14.9 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 28.3 11.6
Certificate III/IV 38.2 21.1
Year 12 9.4 18.1
Year 11 1.8 4.8
Year 10 and below 3.2 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 Electronic Engineering Draftspersons, Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 55%

    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.

  • 46%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 45%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 45%

    Monitoring

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

  • 45%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 45%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 45%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 45%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 43%

    Active learning

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

  • 43%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 43%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 43%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 43%

    Operations analysis

    Understanding needs and product requirements to create a design.

  • 43%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 43%

    Systems analysis

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

  • 43%

    Systems evaluation

    Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

  • 41%

    Time management

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


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 72%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 70%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 61%

    Mechanical

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

  • 60%

    Technical design

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

  • 54%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 53%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 50%

    Production and processing

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

  • 47%

    English language

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

  • 46%

    Physics

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

  • 41%

    Education and training

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

  • 40%

    Telecommunications

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

  • 36%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 32%

    Clerical

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

  • 30%

    Communications and media

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

  • 29%

    Administration and management

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

  • 28%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 26%

    Building and construction

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

  • 23%

    Law and government

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

  • 23%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 20%

    Sales and marketing

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 57%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 57%

    Near vision

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

  • 57%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 57%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 55%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 55%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 55%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 54%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 52%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 50%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 46%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 45%

    Colour discrimination

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

  • 45%

    Mathematics

    Choose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.

  • 45%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 43%

    Flexibility of closure

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

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 41%

    Brainstorming

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

  • 41%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 39%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.


Activities

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

  • 75%

    Working with electronic equipment

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

  • 67%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 65%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 64%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 63%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 63%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 61%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 60%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 60%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 59%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 57%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 57%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 57%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 56%

    Making sense of information and ideas

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

  • 55%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 54%

    Working with computers

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

  • 53%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 53%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 52%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 48%

    Communicating with the public

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


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.

  • 95%

    Practical

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

  • 81%

    Analytical

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

  • 52%

    Administrative

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

  • 38%

    Enterprising

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

  • 29%

    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.
  • 71%

    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.

  • 71%

    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.

  • 64%

    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.

  • 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%

    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:
  • 96%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 93%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 91%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 91%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 89%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 87%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 85%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 80%

    Contact with people

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

  • 77%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 76%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 74%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 72%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 71%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 70%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 70%

    Spend time sitting

    Spend time sitting at work.

  • 69%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 69%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 66%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

  • 65%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 64%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

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, 17-3023.01 - Electronics Engineering Technicians.


Links and downloads

Back to top