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Wood Turners

ANZSCO ID 394214

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Overview

Snapshot

Employed
100
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
57%
Female Share
9%
Average age
52
About this data

Summary

Wood Turners operate wood turning lathes to turn and shape wood stock.

Tasks

  • Sets up woodworking machines and wood stock for correct cutting, planning, turning, shaping and sanding.

  • Operates machines to cut, plane, turn, shape and sand work pieces.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
3942 Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers
Unemployment Rate
n/a
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. 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, Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers, under the outlook section.

Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 57% of people employed as Wood Turners 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 43 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
73.8%
2
Construction
6.8%
3
Retail Trade
2.9%
4
Arts and Recreation Services
2.9%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

23.6% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

24.5% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

14.2% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

9.4% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

7.5% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

20.8% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.0% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Wood Turners All Jobs Average
NSW 23.6 31.6
VIC 24.5 25.6
QLD 14.2 20.0
SA 9.4 7.0
WA 7.5 10.8
TAS 20.8 2.0
NT 0.0 1.0
ACT 0.0 1.9


  • Around 47% of Wood Turners live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

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

    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
52
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
9%
All Jobs Average is 48%

  • The median age of Wood Turners is 52 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 65 years and over.

    Females make up 9% of the workforce. This is 39 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 Wood Turners All Jobs Average
15-19 2.9 5.0
20-24 13.7 9.3
25-34 7.8 22.9
35-44 10.8 22.0
45-54 18.6 21.6
55-59 13.7 9.0
60-64 7.8 6.0
65 and Over 24.5 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 essential to work as a Wood Turner. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in wood machining and turning. Some workers have a certificate III or IV.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Forest and Wood Products Industry and Furnishing Industry 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 Wood Turners All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.0 10.1
Bachelor degree 0.0 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 0.0 11.6
Certificate III/IV 51.5 21.1
Year 12 26.5 18.1
Year 11 0.0 4.8
Year 10 and below 22.1 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 Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

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.

  • 46%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 43%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 43%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 43%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 43%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 41%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 41%

    Monitoring

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

  • 39%

    Active listening

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

  • 39%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 36%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 36%

    Equipment selection

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

  • 36%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 36%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 30%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 30%

    Time management

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

  • 30%

    Active learning

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

  • 30%

    Learning strategies

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

  • 29%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 29%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 52%

    Mechanical

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

  • 41%

    Production and processing

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

  • 41%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 38%

    Education and training

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

  • 31%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 31%

    Building and construction

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

  • 30%

    English language

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

  • 29%

    Technical design

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

  • 26%

    Chemistry

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

  • 23%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 22%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 22%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 21%

    Administration and management

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

  • 20%

    Transportation

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

  • 18%

    Physics

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

  • 13%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 12%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 10%

    Psychology

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

  • 8%

    Clerical

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

  • 8%

    Medicine and dentistry

    Diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.

Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 55%

    Reaction time

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

  • 54%

    Visualization

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

  • 52%

    Control precision

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

  • 52%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 50%

    Near vision

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

  • 50%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 48%

    Auditory attention

    Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.

  • 46%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 46%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 45%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 45%

    Trunk strength

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

  • 45%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 43%

    Extent flexibility

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

  • 43%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 43%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 41%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 41%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 41%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 41%

    Dynamic strength

    Exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

Activities

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

  • 75%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 69%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 59%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 51%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 46%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 44%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 43%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 41%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 41%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 39%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 39%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 38%

    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.

  • 38%

    Working with mechanical equipment

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

  • 37%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 36%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

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

  • 35%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 35%

    Thinking creatively

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

  • 31%

    Documenting or recording information

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

  • 26%

    Training and teaching others

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

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.

  • 100%

    Practical

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

  • 67%

    Administrative

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

  • 52%

    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%

    Enterprising

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

  • 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.

  • 81%

    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%

    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%

    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.

  • 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%

    Achievement

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

  • 33%

    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:

  • 100%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 97%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 96%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 96%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 95%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 94%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

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

  • 91%

    Dangerous equipment

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

  • 88%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 87%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 86%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 84%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 79%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 77%

    Bending or twisting your body

    Spend time bending or twisting your body.

  • 75%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 74%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 74%

    Repeating same tasks

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

  • 73%

    Contact with people

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

  • 72%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 70%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

  • 68%

    Responsible for outcomes

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

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, 51-7042.00 - Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing.

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