Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks prepare and process orders for goods and services, monitor stock levels and supply sources and maintain stock and inventory levels, record and coordinate the flow of materials between departments, prepare production schedules, and administer and coordinate storage and distribution operations within organisations.
Tasks
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requisitioning supplies from stock and sending orders to production departments and other firms
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confirming completion of orders and compliance with details specified, signing tally sheets and attaching to checked items
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receiving and checking purchase requests against inventory records and stock on hand
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examining orders and compiling data for production schedules
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checking inventories and preparing delivery schedules
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examining containers to ensure that they are filled, and recording quantities
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investigating and identifying supply sources and preparing and processing purchase orders
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providing price and other information about goods to prospective customers
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counting incoming stock and reconciling it with requisitions, and updating inventory and stock location records
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establishing and coordinating the operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing and shipping goods
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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Sedentary
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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 moderately
- is likely to reach 100,000 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 | 89,000 |
2012 | 85,400 |
2013 | 88,000 |
2014 | 85,200 |
2015 | 85,800 |
2016 | 82,800 |
2017 | 96,900 |
2018 | 101,900 |
2019 | 87,000 |
2020 | 92,600 |
2021 | 96,800 |
2026 | 100,000 |
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
-
Around 83% of people employed as Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 17 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).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,309 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,168
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,631
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 | Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,309 | 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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Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks 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 | Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 69% of Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
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 Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks is 41 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 44% of the workforce. This is 4 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 | Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 25.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 23.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.5 | 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 a Purchasing or Supply Logistics Clerk. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in logistics, procurement, business, warehousing operations or another related field.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- 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 | Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 5.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 14.8 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 12.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 19.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 26.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 14.8 | 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 Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks who interact well with others, are organised, trustworthy and responsible.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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55%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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54%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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52%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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50%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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48%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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46%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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46%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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37%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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36%
Management of financial resourcesFiguring out how money is needed to do something, and keeping track of the money that's being spent.
-
34%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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34%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
32%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
75%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
65%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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64%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
60%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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58%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
57%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
53%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
47%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
44%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
39%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
37%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
34%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
33%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
32%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
30%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
26%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
21%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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17%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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17%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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12%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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48%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
45%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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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.
-
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%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
-
34%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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34%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
32%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
30%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
-
30%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
-
29%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
29%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
68%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
66%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
63%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
59%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
58%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
58%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
56%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
54%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
52%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
52%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
50%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
-
48%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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46%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
45%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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44%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
43%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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42%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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41%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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36%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
28%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
62%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
29%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
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
-
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.
-
62%
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.
-
57%
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%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
48%
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.
-
48%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
-
100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
99%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
97%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
92%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
92%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
91%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
90%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
90%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
88%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
87%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
86%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
84%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
72%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
70%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
-
69%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
65%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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, 43-3061.00 - Procurement Clerks.
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.