Other Mobile Plant Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Mobile Plant Operators includes a number of occupation such as Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crew, Linemarkers, Paving Plant Operators, Railway Track Plant Operators, Road Roller Operators and Streetsweeper Operators.
Tasks
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loads and unloads baggage, directs planes, positions staircases, fills aircraft fuel tanks and performs other aircraft ground services to ensure aircraft operations run efficiently
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operates plant to apply markings to roads and other surfaces such as car parks, airports and sportsgrounds
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operates plant to spread and level hot bituminous paving materials and lay concrete on areas such as highways, roads and car parks
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operates plant to lay, align, repair and maintain railway tracks
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operates a power-driven roller to prepare surfaces for roads, runways and car parks
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operates plant to clean streets and gutters of litter and debris
Characteristics
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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
-
Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
-
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 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.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 8,900 |
2012 | 11,200 |
2013 | 9,800 |
2014 | 13,100 |
2015 | 11,100 |
2016 | 10,000 |
2017 | 18,100 |
2018 | 14,100 |
2019 | 12,800 |
2020 | 7,700 |
2021 | 13,500 |
2026 | 13,700 |
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 72% of people employed as Other Mobile Plant Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points above 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.
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,440 per week, this is lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,212
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,830
Median hourly earnings are $35, 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. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. 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 Mobile Plant Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,440 | 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 Mobile Plant Operators work in industries like:
- Transport, postal and warehousing
- Construction
- Public administration and safety
- Administrative and support services.
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 Mobile Plant Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 23.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 13.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 63% of Other Mobile Plant Operators live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
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 Mobile Plant Operators is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 10% of the workforce. This is 38 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 Mobile Plant Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 23.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.4 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 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 Mobile Plant Operator. 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.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Mobile Plant Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 5.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 28.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 29.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 21.8 | 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 Other Mobile Plant Operators who are trustworthy and responsible, can communicate with a variety of people and have good team work skills
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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41%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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34%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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32%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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27%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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27%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
55%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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52%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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50%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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48%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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47%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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44%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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43%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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41%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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41%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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39%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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37%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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35%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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31%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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28%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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28%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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28%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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26%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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25%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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25%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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18%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
48%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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48%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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46%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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45%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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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%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
-
43%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
39%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
39%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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37%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
37%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
36%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
34%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
79%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
73%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
70%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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69%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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64%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
57%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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56%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
55%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
53%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
53%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
51%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
50%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
49%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
48%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
48%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
43%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
41%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
39%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
39%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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.
-
38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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%
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.
-
94%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
92%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
91%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
89%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
89%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
88%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
88%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
88%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
-
85%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
85%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
84%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
82%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
79%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
79%
Whole body vibrationBe exposed to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer).
-
79%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
77%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
77%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
75%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
73%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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, 47-2071.00 - Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators.
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.