Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to prepare canned and frozen fruit and vegetables, and make and package sauces, jams and juices.
Tasks
-
Weighs, measures, mixes, dissolves and boils ingredients.
-
Add materials, such as spices and preservative to food and beverages.
-
Operates heating, chilling, freezing, pasteurising, carbonating, sulphuring and desulphuring plant.
-
Monitors product quality before packaging by inspecting, taking samples and adjusting treatment conditions when necessary.
-
Operates machines to peel, core, slice, dice, pit and juice fruit and vegetables.
-
Cleans equipment, pumps, hoses, storage tanks, vessels and floors, and maintains infestation control programmes.
-
Regulates speed of conveyors and crusher rollers.
-
Packages and bottles products.
-
Moves products from production lines into storage and shipping areas.
Characteristics
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Administrative
-
Light
-
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, Food and Drink Factory Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 54% of people employed as Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 percentage points below 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
-
Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers work in industries like:
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 | Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 22.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 25.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 23.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 9.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.3 | 1.9 |
-
Around 50% of Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Tasmania and Queensland have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
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
-
The median age of Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers is 37 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 48% of the workforce. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 14.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 20.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 16.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 19.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 37 | 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 Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker. Although some workers have a certificate I or II in food processing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Food Processing VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.8 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 11.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 30.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 10.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 33.6 | 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 Food and Drink Factory Workers who are reliable, hardworking and have good people skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
50%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
37%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
36%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
34%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
34%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
-
34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
30%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
41%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
39%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
36%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
33%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
28%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
26%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
22%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
20%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
20%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
18%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
16%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
13%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
12%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
11%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
10%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
9%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
8%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
8%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
7%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
50%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
50%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
46%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
45%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
45%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
43%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
41%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
37%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
80%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
72%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
56%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
53%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
52%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
50%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
48%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
48%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
47%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
47%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
45%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
45%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
45%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
44%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
41%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
-
40%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
40%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
36%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
36%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
36%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
76%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
76%
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.
-
52%
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.
-
48%
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.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
29%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
24%
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
-
97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
88%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
87%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
85%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
85%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
85%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
83%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
76%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
75%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
74%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
73%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
72%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
72%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
69%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
69%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
66%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
66%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
64%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
64%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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, 51-9111.00 - Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders.
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
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.