Storepersons
Overview
Snapshot
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
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receiving incoming goods, checking for damage and for discrepancies between goods and invoices
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unloading vehicles, opening packages and removing contents
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operating computers to obtain details of location and quantity of items in stock
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labelling goods with details of storage location
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packing and weighing goods and sealing boxes
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operating machines to lift, place and remove goods on high levels
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operating specialised equipment, such as manually and electronically guided order pickers, and checking goods off picking list
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assisting with regular stocktakes
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may use materials handling equipment, such as hydraulic pallet lifters and hand trucks, to move 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
-
Administrative
-
Medium
-
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:
- 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.
Number of Workers
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)
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
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Storepersons work 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 | 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 |
-
Around 70% of Storepersons live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
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
-
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)
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)
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.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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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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36%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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36%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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36%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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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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30%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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29%
Management of material resourcesProviding the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.
-
27%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
27%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
21%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
18%
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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43%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
35%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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34%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
29%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
24%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
22%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
21%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
21%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
18%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
18%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
13%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
12%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
11%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
10%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
9%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
9%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
9%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
9%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
7%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
6%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
54%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
46%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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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%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
41%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
39%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
39%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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39%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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37%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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37%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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37%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
36%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
-
34%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
32%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
84%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
51%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
50%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
39%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
38%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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36%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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36%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
36%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
36%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
34%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
33%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
33%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
32%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
32%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
31%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
30%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
27%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
25%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
23%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
21%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking 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%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
90%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
14%
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.
Values
-
67%
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%
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.
-
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.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
24%
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
-
99%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
83%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
82%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
81%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
79%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
78%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
78%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
72%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
71%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
71%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
71%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
69%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
68%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
68%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
66%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
65%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
64%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
60%
Automation of tasksDo tasks that are mostly automated.
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
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
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.