Other Miscellaneous Labourers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Labourers includes a wide variety of occupations such as Bicycle Mechanics, Car Park Attendants, Crossing Supervisors, Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistants, Leaflet or Newspaper Deliverers, Mechanic's Assistants, Railways Assistants, Sign Erectors, Ticket Collectors or Ushers, Trolley Collectors and Road Traffic Controllers.
Tasks
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repairs and adjusts bicycles, and assembles bicycle kits
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operates and maintains a car parking facility by guarding cars in parking areas and collecting fees at car park entry or exit points may drive and park cars, and operate boom gates
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assists children, disabled and other pedestrians to cross roads by stopping traffic and ensuring all pedestrians have crossed safely before allowing traffic to flow through the crossing
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assists electrotechnology and telecommunications trades workers to install and maintain electrical and telecommunications systems
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collects leaflets or newspapers from a collection point and delivers them to homes in a specified area
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assists motor mechanics to replace and repair worn and defective parts, re-assemble mechanical components, change oil and filters, and perform other routine mechanical tasks
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erects and installs signs, and cleans signs and their sites after installation
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collects tickets or admission passes and ushers patrons to their seats at an entertainment, sporting or recreational venue, prepares the venue before an event and locks up premises afterwards
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collects supermarket trolleys from car parks and other areas, and returns them to the supermarket by hand or trailer may drive a small tractor to tow the trolleys
Characteristics
- 899911 Bicycle Mechanics
- 899912 Car Park Attendants
- 899913 Crossing Supervisors
- 899914 Electrical and Telecommunications Trades Assistants
- 899915 Leaflet and Newspaper Deliverers
- 899916 Mechanic's Assistants
- 899917 Railways Assistants
- 899918 Sign Erectors
- 899921 Ticket Collectors and Ushers
- 899922 Trolley Collectors
- 899923 Road Traffic Controllers
- 899999 Labourers (not covered elsewhere)
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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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Sedentary
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Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
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Very 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 72,000 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 | 68,100 |
2012 | 58,500 |
2013 | 60,100 |
2014 | 59,300 |
2015 | 50,000 |
2016 | 74,300 |
2017 | 64,100 |
2018 | 67,200 |
2019 | 71,700 |
2020 | 66,900 |
2021 | 64,900 |
2026 | 72,000 |
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 46% of people employed as Other Miscellaneous Labourers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 20 percentage points below 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.
Median full-time earnings are $1,250 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,047
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,588
Median hourly earnings are $32, 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 | Other Miscellaneous Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,250 | 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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Other Miscellaneous Labourers 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 | Other Miscellaneous Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 14.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 44% of Other Miscellaneous Labourers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland and Western Australia have a large share of employment relative to their 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
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The median age of Other Miscellaneous Labourers 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 24% of the workforce. This is 24 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 | Other Miscellaneous Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 9.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 15.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 8.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 10.1 | 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
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Other Miscellaneous Labourer. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related trade.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Miscellaneous Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 23.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 24.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 29.1 | 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 Labourers who are reliable, have a good work ethic and can work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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37%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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37%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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37%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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37%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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36%
InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.
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36%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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30%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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29%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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29%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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27%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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71%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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59%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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54%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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53%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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49%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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41%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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39%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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39%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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38%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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38%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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36%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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29%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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29%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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27%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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21%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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21%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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20%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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17%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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14%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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13%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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54%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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54%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
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45%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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45%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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39%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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37%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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84%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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76%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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68%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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67%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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62%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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57%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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55%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
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55%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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54%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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54%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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53%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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52%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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51%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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47%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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46%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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43%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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42%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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36%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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35%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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32%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of 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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95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
48%
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.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
71%
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.
-
67%
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.
-
40%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
33%
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.
-
33%
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.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Demands
-
100%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
93%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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93%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
91%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
86%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
81%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
81%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
80%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
80%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
80%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
79%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
78%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
78%
Climbing ladders, scaffolds, or polesSpend time climbing ladders, scaffolds, or poles.
-
77%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
77%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
76%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
76%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
75%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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, 47-3013.00 - Helpers--Electricians.
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.