Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors inspect and monitor plants, land and water for noxious plants and animal species, and organise for their control or eradication.
Also known as: Biosecurity Officer (Weeds and Pests).
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspector. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in science (agricultural, environmental or natural and physical), land management, horticulture or another related field.
Tasks
-
Identifies pest and weed problems and determines treatment and management.
Characteristics
- 599511 Customs Officers
- 599512 Immigration Officers
- 599513 Motor Vehicle Licence Examiners
- 599514 Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors
- 599515 Social Security Assessors
- 599516 Taxation Inspectors
- 599517 Train Examiners
- 599518 Transport Operations Inspectors
- 599521 Water Inspectors
- 599599 Other Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
-
University
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
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, Inspectors and Regulatory Officers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 78% of people employed as Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 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
-
Most Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors work in the Public administration and safety industry. They are also employed in industries like:
- Administrative and support services
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- Professional, scientific and technical services.
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 | Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 15.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 30.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 3.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 3.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.5 | 1.9 |
-
Around 51% of Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its 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
-
The median age of Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors is 46 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers fall into the 35 to 44 years and 45 to 54 years age ranges.
Females make up 34% of the workforce. This is 14 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)
Age Bracket | Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 13.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 29.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 12.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 46 | 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 Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspector. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in science (agricultural, environmental or natural and physical), land management, horticulture or another related field.
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 Local Government and Public Sector VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 10.1 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 26.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 17.7 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 22.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 11.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 7.9 | 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 Inspectors and Regulatory Officers who have a good attention to detail, strong people skills and a good work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
34%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
32%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
32%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
32%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
30%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
25%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
56%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
-
53%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
53%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
51%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
51%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
48%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
48%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
44%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
41%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
41%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
39%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
37%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
36%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
32%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
31%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
29%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
28%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
-
25%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
20%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
43%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
41%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
37%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
37%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
37%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
36%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
34%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
76%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
73%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
65%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
64%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
63%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
62%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
59%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
58%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
57%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
57%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
56%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
53%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
53%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
52%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
51%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
51%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
49%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
48%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
48%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking 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.
-
95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
81%
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.
-
57%
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.
-
50%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
48%
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.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
29%
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
-
95%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
93%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
93%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
91%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
88%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
87%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
86%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
85%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
84%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
84%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
84%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
83%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
82%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
80%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
77%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
76%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
76%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
73%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
72%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
72%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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, 37-3012.00 - Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation.
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.