Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Graphic Pre-Press Trades Workers manipulate, set and compose text and graphics into a format suitable for printing and other visual media.
Specialisations: Desktop Publishing Operator.
A certificate III or IV in print communications or printing and graphic arts is usually needed to work as a Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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operating graphic cameras and other photographic equipment to reproduce camera-ready copy onto films, plates and digital output devices
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using computer applications to generate images, text, layouts and impositions for print and other visual media displays
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operating plate making equipment to reproduce images from film to printing plates, digital output devices and presses
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operating computer screen-based equipment for scanning, colour separation, colour correction, masking, creative design, combining, imposing, retouching, and other processes used to transfer copy to film and produce film for plate, digital output and cylinder productions
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carrying out digital and chemical proofing from digital systems, and negative and positive films
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evaluating printed proofs, checking and correcting them for quality
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preparing and exposing carbon tissue for laying on cylinders by transfer method, and developing images
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
-
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 decline
- is likely to reach 2,100 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 | 3,200 |
2012 | 3,600 |
2013 | 1,700 |
2014 | 3,400 |
2015 | 1,700 |
2016 | 3,900 |
2017 | 1,000 |
2018 | 1,200 |
2019 | 2,900 |
2020 | 400 |
2021 | 2,100 |
2026 | 2,100 |
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
-
Around 80% of people employed as Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 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).
Median full-time earnings are $1,626 per week, this is similar to the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,222
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,719
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 | Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,626 | 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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Most Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
- Information media and telecommunications
- Other services
- Professional, scientific and technical 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 | Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 34.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 36.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 12.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 7.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 77% of Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - Inner
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Melbourne - North East
- Melbourne - West.
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 Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers is 44 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
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 | Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 29.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 27.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 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
A certificate III or IV in print communications or printing and graphic arts is usually needed to work as a Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Printing & Graphic Arts VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 13.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 18.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 43.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 12.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 5.5 | 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 Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers who are hardworking, reliable and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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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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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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34%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
30%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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30%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
27%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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68%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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56%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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53%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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53%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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48%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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46%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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46%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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44%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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41%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
38%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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31%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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30%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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29%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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28%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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21%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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17%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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16%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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12%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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12%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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45%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
41%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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41%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
41%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
39%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
75%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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63%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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62%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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61%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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61%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
60%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
57%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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57%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
55%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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52%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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52%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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48%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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47%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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46%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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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%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
40%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
38%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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35%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use 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.
-
90%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
81%
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%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
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.
-
62%
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%
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.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
38%
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
-
98%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
93%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
92%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
89%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
87%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
84%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
79%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
79%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
77%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
74%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
73%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
71%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
68%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
64%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
64%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
63%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
62%
Automation of tasksDo tasks that are mostly automated.
-
60%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude 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, 51-5111.00 - Prepress Technicians and Workers.
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.