Other Food and Drink Factory Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Food and Drink Factory Workers includes jobs like Coffee Roaster, Egg Factory Worker, Ice-cream Maker, Margarine Maker, and Pasta Maker.
Tasks
-
Weighs, measures, mixes, dissolves and boils ingredients.
-
Adds materials, such as spices and preservatives.
-
Operates processing plant.
-
Monitors product quality before packaging by inspecting, taking samples and adjusting treatment conditions when necessary.
-
Cleans equipment, pumps, hoses, storage tanks, vessels and floors, and maintains infestation control programmes.
-
Regulates machinery.
-
Moves products from production lines into storage and shipping areas.
-
Packages products.
Characteristics
-
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, Food and Drink Factory Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 76% of people employed as Other Food and Drink Factory Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 10 percentage points above 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
-
Most Other Food and Drink Factory Workers work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed 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 | Other Food and Drink Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 36.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 5.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.1 | 1.9 |
-
Around 44% of Other Food and Drink Factory Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its 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 Other Food and Drink Factory Workers is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 29% of the workforce. This is 19 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 Food and Drink Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 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 Food and Drink Factory Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III 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 | Other Food and Drink Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 9.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 18.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 28.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 26.0 | 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%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
39%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
37%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
37%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
36%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
32%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
29%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
46%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
46%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
39%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
29%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
28%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
26%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
24%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
24%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
13%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
13%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
13%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
12%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
9%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
9%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
8%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
6%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
3%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
-
2%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
1%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
50%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
48%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
48%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
46%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
46%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
43%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
-
43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
41%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
39%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
39%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
39%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
64%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
59%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
57%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
51%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
48%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
46%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
44%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
43%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
42%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
41%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
40%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
39%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
39%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
36%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
35%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
34%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
34%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
31%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
28%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
-
28%
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.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
43%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
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
-
67%
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.
-
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.
-
36%
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.
-
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
-
99%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
98%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
91%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
85%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
80%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
80%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
80%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
78%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
78%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
78%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
77%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
77%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
76%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
76%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
75%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
75%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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, 51-3091.00 - Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying 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.