Photographic Developers and Printers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Photographic Developers and Printers edit and adjust digital images, develop photographic film, and print photographic images from digital media, negatives and positives using computer software, fully automatic equipment and by separate processes.
Specialisations: Copy Camera Operator, Dark Room Attendant, Digital Photographic Printer, Film Process Operator, Minilab Operator, Photographic Enlarger Operator, Silver Recovery Operator, Slide Developer.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Photographic Developer and Printer. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in photography, graphic art or printing.
Tasks
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cropping images and adjusting colour, brightness and contrast
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preparing exposed film for different processing batches in dark rooms and dark chambers
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adjusting settings and running automatic developing equipment
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inspecting prints and adjusting settings on print-making equipment to produce required number, size and type of prints
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scanning images onto electronic media
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checking and replenishing chemicals and water supply for chemical and water baths required to produce negative and positive prints
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monitoring and testing photographic processing and printing equipment, and maintaining operational standards
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may prepare chemical solutions for different techniques and effects
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may develop black and white images by separate processes and operate enlargers
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may develop motion picture film
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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Administrative
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Light
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 very strongly
- is likely to reach 1,000 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 | 2,200 |
2012 | 1,700 |
2013 | 900 |
2014 | 200 |
2015 | 1,800 |
2016 | 2,000 |
2017 | 600 |
2018 | 600 |
2019 | 2,700 |
2020 | 1,500 |
2021 | 800 |
2026 | 1,000 |
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 53% of people employed as Photographic Developers and Printers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 13 percentage points below 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).
Median hourly earnings are $25, 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.
Industries
Main industries
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Photographic Developers and Printers 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 | Photographic Developers and Printers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 15.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 62% of Photographic Developers and Printers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia 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
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The median age of Photographic Developers and Printers 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 61% of the workforce. This is 13 percentage points above 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 | Photographic Developers and Printers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 6.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 17.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 21.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 17.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.3 | 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 Photographic Developer and Printer. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in photography, graphic art or printing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Photographic Developers and Printers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 15.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 13.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 16.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 29.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 15.2 | 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 Photographic Developers and Printers who have good attention to detail, are reliable and hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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42%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
42%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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40%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
40%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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38%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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37%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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36%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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36%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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35%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
35%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
33%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
33%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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54%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
47%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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46%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
46%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
44%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
43%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
39%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
38%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
38%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
35%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
29%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
-
28%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
26%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
19%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
19%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
18%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
17%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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16%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
14%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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14%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
51%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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51%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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49%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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46%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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46%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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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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42%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
40%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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39%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
38%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
35%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
34%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
62%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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61%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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58%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
55%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
54%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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53%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
51%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
50%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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45%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
44%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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42%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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42%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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42%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
41%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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41%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
41%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
39%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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39%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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39%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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35%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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.
-
90%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
38%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
52%
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.
-
52%
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.
-
43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
43%
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%
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
-
89%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
86%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
85%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
84%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
81%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
78%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
75%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
75%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
74%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
73%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
71%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
71%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
70%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
69%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
67%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
66%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
63%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
62%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
62%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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, 51-9151.00 - Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine 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.