Screen Printers

ANZSCO ID 392112

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
1,100
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
79%
Female Share
19%
Average age
44

Summary

Screen Printers prepare stencils, and set up and operate power-driven or hand-operated screen print equipment.

Specialisations: Screen Printing Stencil Preparer, Textiles Printer.

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Screen Printer. Although some workers have a certificate III, IV or diploma in print manufacturing or printing and graphic arts. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

Tasks

  • Embellishes printed products automatically and manually.

  • Operates photographic and electronic reproduction devices.

  • Prepares stencils using computer and hand cut methods.

  • Selects, mixes and matches coloured inks and loads them into screen printing presses.

  • Loads printed items into drying racks, and unloads and stacks dry items.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Medium

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Binders, Finishers and Screen Printers, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 79% of people employed as Screen Printers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 13 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).

    Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.


Industries

Main industries

1
Manufacturing
83.5%
2
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
2.5%
3
Retail Trade
2.4%
4
Wholesale Trade
1.9%
5
Other industries
1.9%
  • Most Screen Printers work in the Manufacturing industry.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.


Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

29.7% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

28.4% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

24.9% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.5% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

7.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.2% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.4% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.5% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Screen Printers All Jobs Average
NSW 29.7 31.6
VIC 28.4 25.6
QLD 24.9 20.0
SA 6.5 7.0
WA 7.3 10.8
TAS 1.2 2.0
NT 1.4 1.0
ACT 0.5 1.9


  • Around 65% of Screen Printers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.

    Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.

    The region with the largest share of workers is Gold Coast.

    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

Age In Years
44
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
19%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Screen Printers is 44 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 19% of the workforce. This is 29 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Screen Printers All Jobs Average
15-19 2.0 5.0
20-24 6.8 9.3
25-34 19.4 22.9
35-44 22.3 22.0
45-54 26.8 21.6
55-59 11.0 9.0
60-64 7.3 6.0
65 and Over 4.3 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

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Screen Printer. Although some workers have a certificate III, IV or diploma in print manufacturing or printing and graphic arts. 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)

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.
Type of Qualification Screen Printers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.4 10.1
Bachelor degree 6.8 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 9.0 11.6
Certificate III/IV 33.4 21.1
Year 12 21.4 18.1
Year 11 8.2 4.8
Year 10 and below 20.8 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 Binders, Finishers and Screen Printers who are hardworking, reliable and work well in a team.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 50%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 48%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 45%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 45%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 45%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 43%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 43%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 43%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 43%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 43%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 41%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 41%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 41%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 41%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 39%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 39%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 39%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 37%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 36%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 49%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 43%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 41%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 34%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 33%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 33%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 32%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 32%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 24%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 24%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 23%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 20%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 18%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 14%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 12%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 10%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 10%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.

  • 8%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 7%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 4%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 55%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 52%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 50%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 48%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 46%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 46%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 46%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 46%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 45%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 45%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 45%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 45%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 45%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • 45%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 43%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 43%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 43%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 41%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 73%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 72%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 59%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 58%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 58%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 56%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 55%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 55%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 54%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 51%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 50%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 49%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 49%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 49%

    Collecting and organising information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

  • 47%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 46%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 45%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 44%

    Documenting or recording information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • 41%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

  • 31%

    Working with computers

    Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process 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%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 71%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 29%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 24%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 24%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 19%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 57%

    Support

    Supportive 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%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 43%

    Independence

    Work 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.

  • 43%

    Recognition

    Advancement 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.

  • 43%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 33%

    Relationships

    Serve 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.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 97%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 96%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 94%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 90%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 90%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 89%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 89%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 88%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 88%

    Pace of work set by equipment

    Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.

  • 86%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 84%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 82%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 82%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 82%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 79%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 77%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 75%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 74%

    Dangerous conditions

    Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.

  • 73%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

  • 72%

    Repeating same tasks

    Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.

Occupational Information Network
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, 51-5112.00 - Printing Press Operators.


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