Sewing Machinists

ANZSCO ID 7116

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
3,500
Future Growth
1.4%
Weekly Earnings
$885
Full-Time Share
56%
Female Share
82%
Average age
52

Summary

Sewing Machinists operate industrial sewing machines to sew and finish garments and soft furnishings such as curtains.

Specialisations: Embroiderer.

Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Sewing Machinist. Some workers have a certificate II in clothing production or applied fashion design.

Tasks

  • threading machines, inserting bobbins and positioning parts to be sewn

  • starting, stopping and controlling speed of machines with pedals and knee levers to coordinate actions of presser feet, clothes guides, blades and other attachments, and guiding parts under needles, following edges, seams and markings

  • changing needles and adjusting, securing and modifying attachments to machines

  • finishing items by cutting excess material and threads

  • operating thread trimming and other non-sewing machines

  • inspecting stitching for defects and notifying repair mechanics of machine malfunctions

  • performing basic maintenance such as lubrication of machines

  • may do laying up and bundling tasks

  • may ticket, label and finish work

Characteristics

Job Type
Machinery Operators And Drivers
Skill Level
Lower skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Light

Outlook

Employment 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.

Projected Change
1.4%
(or 100 jobs)
From
10,100
in 2021
To
10,200
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 11,300
2012 11,600
2013 11,000
2014 8,400
2015 6,700
2016 6,200
2017 7,400
2018 9,000
2019 8,000
2020 10,500
2021 10,100
2026 10,200

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 57% of people employed as Sewing Machinists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 9 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 full-time earnings are $885 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $791
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $982

    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.

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

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.
Earnings Sewing Machinists All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 885 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

1
Manufacturing
62.2%
2
Retail Trade
14.3%
3
Other Services
12.2%
4
Education and Training
4.1%
5
Other industries
8.2%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

29.1% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

32.2% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

19.7% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.5% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

10.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.7% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.4% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.3% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Sewing Machinists All Jobs Average
NSW 29.1 31.6
VIC 32.2 25.6
QLD 19.7 20.0
SA 6.5 7.0
WA 10.1 10.8
TAS 1.7 2.0
NT 0.4 1.0
ACT 0.3 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
52
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
82%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Sewing Machinists is 52 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 82% of the workforce. This is 34 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Sewing Machinists All Jobs Average
15-19 0.9 5.0
20-24 2.5 9.3
25-34 7.7 22.9
35-44 16.4 22.0
45-54 32.4 21.6
55-59 19.3 9.0
60-64 13.6 6.0
65 and Over 7.3 4.2
Median Age 52 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 usually required to work as a Sewing Machinist. Some workers have a certificate II in clothing production or applied fashion design.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Textiles, Clothing & Footwear 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 Sewing Machinists All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.9 10.1
Bachelor degree 5.6 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 6.4 11.6
Certificate III/IV 12.3 21.1
Year 12 25.1 18.1
Year 11 6.7 4.8
Year 10 and below 42.9 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 Sewing Machinists who are hardworking, can work well with others and are reliable.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 37%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 36%

    Monitoring

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

  • 36%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 34%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 34%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 34%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 34%

    Time management

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

  • 34%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 32%

    Active listening

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

  • 32%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 32%

    Active learning

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

  • 32%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 30%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 29%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 29%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 29%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 29%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 29%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 29%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 27%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 33%

    Production and processing

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

  • 25%

    Education and training

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

  • 24%

    Administration and management

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

  • 22%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 21%

    Mechanical

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

  • 18%

    English language

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

  • 16%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 14%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 13%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 13%

    Transportation

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

  • 13%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 12%

    Technical design

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

  • 12%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 12%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 10%

    Clerical

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

  • 10%

    Law and government

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

  • 10%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 8%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 7%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • 5%

    Foreign language

    Foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 52%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 48%

    Near vision

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

  • 46%

    Colour discrimination

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

  • 45%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 43%

    Control precision

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

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 43%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 39%

    Rate control

    Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

  • 39%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 39%

    Reaction time

    Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.

  • 39%

    Visualization

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

  • 38%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 38%

    Depth perception

    Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.

  • 38%

    Flexibility of closure

    See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.

  • 38%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 36%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 36%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 34%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 34%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 32%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.


Activities

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

  • 55%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 54%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 43%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 41%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 38%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 37%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 37%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 37%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 37%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 36%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 36%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 32%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

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

  • 32%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 31%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 30%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 28%

    Helping and caring for others

    Providing personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.

  • 28%

    Coaching and developing others

    Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.

  • 27%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 25%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 25%

    Drafting, laying out, and specifying parts

    Detailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.


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.

  • 95%

    Practical

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

  • 57%

    Administrative

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

  • 24%

    Creative

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

  • 24%

    Enterprising

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

  • 19%

    Analytical

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

  • 14%

    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.
  • 62%

    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.

  • 38%

    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.

  • 33%

    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.

  • 31%

    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.

  • 29%

    Achievement

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

  • 24%

    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.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 91%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 90%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 87%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 86%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 85%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 81%

    Spend time sitting

    Spend time sitting at work.

  • 78%

    Pace of work set by equipment

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

  • 76%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 73%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 70%

    Competition

    Compete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.

  • 68%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 68%

    Contact with people

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

  • 67%

    Bending or twisting your body

    Spend time bending or twisting your body.

  • 62%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 61%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 60%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 60%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 59%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 57%

    Angry or unpleasant people

    Deal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.

  • 57%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

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, 51-6031.00 - Sewing Machine Operators.


Links and downloads

Back to top