Recycling and Rubbish Collectors
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Recycling and Rubbish Collectors collect household, commercial and industrial waste for recycling and disposal.
Also known as: Waste Removalist.
Specialisations: Garbage Depot Worker.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Recycling or Rubbish Collector. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in waste management or waste driving operations.
Tasks
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riding on and in garbage and recycling trucks
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collecting rubbish and items for recycling from domestic, commercial and industrial premises
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loading rubbish and recycling into bins and garbage and recycling trucks
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unloading garbage and recycling trucks
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may operate compacting equipment on garbage trucks
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may supervise other garbage collectors
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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Medium
-
Heavy
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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 | 3,400 |
2012 | 2,300 |
2013 | 2,400 |
2014 | 2,400 |
2015 | 3,400 |
2016 | 2,200 |
2017 | 1,400 |
2018 | 3,500 |
2019 | 1,300 |
2020 | 2,800 |
2021 | 2,500 |
2026 | 2,500 |
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 69% of people employed as Recycling and Rubbish Collectors work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 3 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.
Median full-time earnings are $1,230 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,031
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,238
Median hourly earnings are $31, 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 | Recycling and Rubbish Collectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,230 | 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 Recycling and Rubbish Collectors work in the Electricity, gas, water and waste services industry. They are also employed 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 | Recycling and Rubbish Collectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 36.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 15.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 4.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 46% of Recycling and Rubbish Collectors live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
New South Wales and the Northern Territory have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Northern Territory - Outback
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Melbourne - West
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - Outer East.
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 Recycling and Rubbish Collectors is 46 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 6% of the workforce. This is 42 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 | Recycling and Rubbish Collectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 16.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 17.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 27.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 12.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 8.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 5.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 46 | 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 Recycling or Rubbish Collector. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in waste management or waste driving operations.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Property Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Recycling and Rubbish Collectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.7 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 26.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 20.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 37.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Recycling and Rubbish Collectors who are reliable and work well as part of a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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34%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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32%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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32%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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30%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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30%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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30%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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30%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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30%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
29%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
75%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
60%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
51%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
46%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
43%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
37%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
36%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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36%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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35%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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34%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
31%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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30%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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27%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
27%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
26%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
24%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
22%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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22%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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20%
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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19%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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46%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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45%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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41%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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39%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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39%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
39%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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37%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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34%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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32%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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32%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
32%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
32%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
73%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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72%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
65%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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64%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
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.
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52%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
51%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
50%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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45%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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45%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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44%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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43%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
40%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
38%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
37%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
35%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
34%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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28%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
28%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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.
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52%
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.
-
19%
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%
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.
-
57%
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.
-
33%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
19%
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
-
100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
100%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
100%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
100%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
98%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
98%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
95%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
93%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
89%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
89%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
88%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
87%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
87%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
80%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
77%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
76%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
75%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
73%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
71%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
71%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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, 53-7081.00 - Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors.
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.