Storepersons

ANZSCO ID 7411

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
145,600
Future Growth
6.2%
Weekly Earnings
$1,134
Full-Time Share
65%
Female Share
21%
Average age
38

Summary

Storepersons receive, handle and despatch goods in stores and warehouses.

Also known as: Stores Assistant or Warehouse Assistant.

Specialisations: Chiller Hand, Manufacturing Storeperson, Operator Supply (Army), Order Picker/Assembler, Stores Despatch Hand, Stores Naval (Navy).

Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Storeperson. Some workers have a certificate II or III in warehousing operations.

Tasks

  • receiving incoming goods, checking for damage and for discrepancies between goods and invoices

  • unloading vehicles, opening packages and removing contents

  • operating computers to obtain details of location and quantity of items in stock

  • labelling goods with details of storage location

  • packing and weighing goods and sealing boxes

  • operating machines to lift, place and remove goods on high levels

  • operating specialised equipment, such as manually and electronically guided order pickers, and checking goods off picking list

  • assisting with regular stocktakes

  • may use materials handling equipment, such as hydraulic pallet lifters and hand trucks, to move goods

Characteristics

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

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:

  • is expected to grow moderately
  • is likely to reach 174,400 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.

Projected Change
6.2%
(or 10,200 jobs)
From
164,200
in 2021
To
174,400
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 122,400
2012 122,800
2013 119,500
2014 122,100
2015 121,600
2016 135,000
2017 124,500
2018 123,500
2019 139,200
2020 135,100
2021 164,200
2026 174,400

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 73% of people employed as Storepersons work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 7 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 $1,134 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,015
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,330

    Median hourly earnings are $29, 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 Storepersons All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,134 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
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
28.3%
2
Retail Trade
25.4%
3
Wholesale Trade
19.9%
4
Manufacturing
13.1%
5
Other industries
13.5%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

32.5% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

28.3% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

19.5% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

10.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.5% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.8% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.5% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Storepersons All Jobs Average
NSW 32.5 31.6
VIC 28.3 25.6
QLD 19.5 20.0
SA 6.7 7.0
WA 10.3 10.8
TAS 1.5 2.0
NT 0.8 1.0
ACT 0.5 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
38
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
21%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Storepersons is 38 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 21% of the workforce. This is 27 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 Storepersons All Jobs Average
15-19 4.9 5.0
20-24 13.4 9.3
25-34 23.7 22.9
35-44 20.6 22.0
45-54 20.8 21.6
55-59 8.7 9.0
60-64 5.5 6.0
65 and Over 2.4 4.2
Median Age 38 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 Storeperson. Some workers have a certificate II or III in warehousing operations.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Retail Services 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 Storepersons All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 2.0 10.1
Bachelor degree 6.8 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 6.8 11.6
Certificate III/IV 19.4 21.1
Year 12 31.6 18.1
Year 11 9.2 4.8
Year 10 and below 24.2 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 Storepersons who are hardworking, with a strong work ethic and are trustworthy, responsible and reliable.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 41%

    Active listening

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

  • 41%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 41%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 41%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 39%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 39%

    Time management

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

  • 39%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 36%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 36%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 36%

    Monitoring

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

  • 36%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 34%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 34%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 30%

    Active learning

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

  • 30%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 29%

    Management of material resources

    Providing the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.

  • 27%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 27%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 21%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 18%

    Quality control analysis

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


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 43%

    English language

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

  • 35%

    Production and processing

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

  • 34%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 29%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 24%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 22%

    Clerical

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

  • 21%

    Transportation

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

  • 21%

    Administration and management

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

  • 18%

    Mechanical

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

  • 18%

    Education and training

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

  • 13%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 12%

    Communications and media

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

  • 11%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 10%

    Building and construction

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

  • 9%

    Law and government

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

  • 9%

    Psychology

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

  • 9%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 9%

    Telecommunications

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

  • 7%

    Foreign language

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

  • 6%

    Economics and accounting

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 54%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 50%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 46%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 43%

    Near vision

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

  • 43%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 41%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 41%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 41%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 41%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 41%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 39%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 39%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 39%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 39%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 37%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 37%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 37%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 36%

    Stamina

    Exercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.

  • 34%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 32%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.


Activities

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

  • 84%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 51%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 50%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 39%

    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.

  • 36%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 36%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 36%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 36%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 34%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 33%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 33%

    Training and teaching others

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

  • 32%

    Working with computers

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

  • 32%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 31%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 30%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 27%

    Coaching and developing others

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

  • 25%

    Guiding and directing staff

    Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.

  • 23%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

  • 21%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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


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%

    Administrative

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

  • 90%

    Practical

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

  • 38%

    Enterprising

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

  • 19%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 14%

    Analytical

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

  • 14%

    Creative

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


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 67%

    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.

  • 57%

    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.

  • 57%

    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.

  • 40%

    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:
  • 99%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 91%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 83%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 82%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 81%

    Contact with people

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

  • 79%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 79%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 78%

    Walking and running

    Spend time walking and running.

  • 78%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

    Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).

  • 72%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 71%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 71%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 71%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 69%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 68%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 68%

    Bending or twisting your body

    Spend time bending or twisting your body.

  • 66%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 65%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 64%

    Angry or unpleasant people

    Deal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.

  • 60%

    Automation of tasks

    Do tasks that are mostly automated.

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, 43-5081.03 - Stock Clerks- Stockroom, Warehouse, or Storage Yard.


Links and downloads

Back to top