ANZSCO 839918

Recycling Workers

Overview

EMPLOYED

3,000

PART-TIME SHARE

48%

FEMALE SHARE

19%

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

N/A

MEDIAN AGE

38

ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

N/A

About this data

Summary

Recycling Workers perform routine tasks in recycling facilities, such as sorting, packing and storing plastics, glass, paper, metals and other recyclable materials which have been collected from household, commercial and industrial premises in preparation for use in creating new products.

Tasks

  • Dismantles products (such as cars and appliances) and separates their components
  • Identifies and removes hazardous substances (including chemicals from discarded appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators)
  • Sorts materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for cleaning, recycling, processing, storing, shipping or grading
  • Cleans materials (such as metals) according to recycling requirements and prepares them for production (such as cutting in preparation for fabrication or processing)
  • Operates equipment, such as forklifts, automated refuse and manual recycling collection vehicles, to move materials for processing
  • Deposits recoverable materials into chutes or places materials on conveyor belts
  • Maintains a clean work area to ensure workplace safety
  • Cleans, disassembles, repairs and maintains the recycling equipment so that it works properly
  • Cuts discarded products (such as appliances and automobiles) into small pieces using saws, blow torches and other hand or power tools, for easier disposal
  • May collect recyclable materials from curb sides for delivery to designated facilities

ANZSCO Classification

Details

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    Hours worked

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Note: those who were classified as "Employed, away from work" at the time of the 2021 Census (accounting for approx. 8% of total employment), have been excluded from the "Average full-time hours worked per week" denominator.
    Hours worked Recycling Workers All Occupations
    Share of workers who work full-time hours 52% 64%
    Average full-time hours worked per week 41 hours 44 hours

    Industries

    Recycling Workers work in industries like:

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Note: industries that comprise less than 5% of an occupation have been suppressed.

    States and territories

    New South Wales

    25.2%

    Victoria

    18.8%

    Queensland

    23.9%

    South Australia

    11.3%

    Tasmania

    2.5%

    Northern Territory

    1.0%

    Australian Capital Territory

    2.1%

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.

    Age and gender

    Age and Gender Profile
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age and Gender Recycling Workers All Occupations
    Median age 38 years 40 years
    Female share of employment 19% 49%
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age Profile (% Share) All Occupations Recycling Workers
    15–19 5.2 11.5
    20–24 9.1 13.4
    25–34 22.7 20.1
    35–44 22.3 16.7
    45–54 20.4 20.1
    55–59 8.8 8.1
    60–64 6.5 6.4
    65 and Over 4.9 3.7

    Education

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    • Your Career to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence. 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.
    Note: the sum of the educational attainment categories may not add up to 100% due to the exclusion of non-descriptive categories such as not stated responses.
    Highest Level of Educational Attainment (% Share) All Occupations Recycling Workers
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 12.2 1.3
    Bachelor degree 23.2 4.1
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.1 2.8
    Certificate III/IV 19.5 16.1
    Year 12 15.9 27.7
    Year 11 4.0 9.3
    Year 10 and below 9.7 32.6
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      Occupation profiles data

      This file contains data displayed on the Occupation Profile pages.

      Use of data in this file must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      Occupation profiles data - November 2024.xlsx

      occupation_profiles_data_-_november_2024.xlsx946664

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      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the skill-based classification system used to categorise occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. ANZSCO provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of occupation data. Visit the ABS website to learn how ANZSCO works. Jobs and Skills Australia displays data for occupations that are defined by ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.3.