Transport and Despatch Clerks
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Transport and Despatch Clerks verify and maintain records of incoming and outgoing goods, prepare goods for despatch, arrange clearance and collection of imported cargo from customs and bond stores, and arrange shipment of cargo for export.
Tasks
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identifying items and containers of incoming and outgoing shipments and verifying them against consignment records
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ensuring outgoing shipments are in good condition and meet specifications
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arranging internal distribution of goods received
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organising the despatch of goods with completed documentation
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maintaining prescribed records of goods received and despatched
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examining shipping documents and verifying cargo to be released
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recording customs clearance requirements and authorising collection of cargo
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calculating storage and clearance charges and billing customers
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receiving details of outgoing cargo, and arranging bookings of freight space and collection of goods from customers
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providing information to customers on custom tariffs, tariff classifications and concessions, and methods of clearing goods
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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Administrative
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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 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 | 35,200 |
2012 | 31,800 |
2013 | 30,700 |
2014 | 31,000 |
2015 | 48,000 |
2016 | 44,400 |
2017 | 41,700 |
2018 | 42,600 |
2019 | 29,600 |
2020 | 36,900 |
2021 | 40,800 |
2026 | 41,400 |
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
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Around 88% of people employed as Transport and Despatch Clerks work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 22 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.
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,386 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,154
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,655
Median hourly earnings are $33, 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 | Transport and Despatch Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,386 | 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 Transport and Despatch Clerks work in the Transport, postal and warehousing 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 | Transport and Despatch Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 70% of Transport and Despatch 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 Transport and Despatch Clerks is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 35% of the workforce. This is 13 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 | Transport and Despatch Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 24.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 42 | 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 Transport or Despatch Clerk. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in logistics, warehousing operations, customs broking, international business or another related field.
Visit
- 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 | Transport and Despatch Clerks | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 11.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 12.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 21.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 25.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 16.7 | 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 Transport and Despatch Clerks who provide good customer service, can work independently as well as part of a team and can communicate clearly.
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%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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37%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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32%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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29%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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29%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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29%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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27%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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48%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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45%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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41%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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41%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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38%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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37%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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33%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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27%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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19%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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18%
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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17%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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17%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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14%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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14%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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13%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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12%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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12%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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11%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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39%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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39%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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37%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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36%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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34%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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34%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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77%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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60%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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52%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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52%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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51%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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51%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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51%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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49%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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48%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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47%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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45%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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45%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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43%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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40%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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40%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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38%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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38%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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37%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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34%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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32%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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.
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90%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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71%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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76%
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.
-
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.
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43%
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.
-
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.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
38%
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
-
92%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
88%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
87%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
84%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
83%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
81%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
77%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
77%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
77%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
75%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
74%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
74%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
73%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
73%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
72%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
71%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
67%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
67%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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, 43-5071.00 - Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic 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.