Our ‘Industries in Demand’ series highlights individual industries experiencing a high demand for labour and the types of jobs they offer. The fourth in our series covers the Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics industry.

What is the Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics industry?

This industry includes the movement of people and goods by road, rail or air. Postal and courier services, warehousing and storage are also included. Many workers are employed full-time. There are opportunities for lower skilled workers, with almost half of all workers not completing post-school education. The industry offers apprenticeships and traineeships.

While qualifications are not needed for many roles in this industry, licences and tickets are often required. Examples include a forklift licence, truck/heavy vehicle licence, construction white card and ‘working at heights’ ticket.

Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics employs approximately 655,300 persons (ABS seasonally adjusted data), which accounts for 5.0 per cent of the total workforce. Over the past five years, employment in the industry has increased by 6.6 per cent.

While online shopping was steadily increasing prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a boom in online shopping, increasing operations in Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics. Results from an Australia Post consumer survey suggest that online spending will be higher in the future than prior to the COVID-19 crisis. This points to further growth within this industry which is already facing a high demand for workers.

Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics in Greater Western Sydney

There are many distribution centres, warehouses, transport and logistics hubs located in south-west and Western Sydney, supplying goods across the city, state, country and world.

Their closeness to the M7, M2, M4 and M5 Sydney motorways makes these areas ideal locations for businesses looking to deliver goods as efficiently as possible.

There are also plans for a major industrial area near the new Western Sydney Airport. These plans were approved by the NSW Government in June 2020. The ‘Mamre Road Precinct’ will include 850 hectares of new industrial land. This will enable major warehousing and logistics operations to be established and open up countless jobs in the industry.

Is a job in the Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics industry right for you?

When deciding if the industry is right for you, consider the following:

• The industry offers apprenticeships and traineeships.
• Many workers are employed full-time
• There are good opportunities for lower skilled workers
• Physical work is often required
• Own transport often needed for late hours when public transport not available

The jobs available in this industry range from entry level roles such as picking and packing through to management, operations and support areas.

The top 10 Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics jobs in Australia include:

• Truck Drivers
  You can work as a Truck Driver without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in driving operations might be helpful. Employers look for Truck Drivers who are reliable, provide good customer service and are well presented.
• Automobile Drivers
  You can work as an Automobile Driver without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in driving operations may be useful. Employers look for Automobile Drivers who are responsible, provide good customer service and work independently.
• Storepersons
  You can work as a Storeperson without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in warehousing operations might be helpful. Employers look for Storepersons who are hardworking, with a strong work ethic and are trustworthy, responsible and reliable.
• Bus and Coach Drivers
  You can work as a Bus or Coach Driver without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in driving operations may be useful. Employers look for Bus and Coach Drivers who can interact and provide good customer service and are well presented.
• Couriers and Postal Deliverers
  You can work as a Courier or Postal Deliverer without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in driving operations might be helpful. Employers look for Couriers and Postal Deliverers who are reliable, have good people skills and who can work independently.
• Delivery Drivers
  You can work as a Delivery Driver without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in driving operations may be useful. Employers look for Delivery Drivers who are reliable, provide good customer service and can interact well with a variety of people.
• Forklift Drivers
  You can work as a Forklift Driver without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications in areas such as warehousing operations. Employers look for Forklift Drivers who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.
• Transport and Despatch Clerks
  You can work as a Transport or Despatch Clerk without formal qualifications, however, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in logistics, warehousing operations, customs broking, international business or another related field may be useful. 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.
• Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers
  You need extensive experience, or a formal qualification in business management, purchasing, warehousing and distribution or another related field to work as a Supply, Distribution or Procurement Manager. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways. Employers look for Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers who are reliable, organised and can communicate clearly. Employers also value leadership and planning skills.
• Mail Sorters
  You can work as a Mail Sorter without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications in areas such as warehousing, distribution or business. Employers look for Mail Sorters who are efficient, reliable and have a good work ethic.

Additional Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics jobs which are expected to experience strong to moderate growth over the next five years include:

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
  You need a Certificate IV in a relevant Aeroskills course to work as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship. Employers look for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
• Travel Attendants
  You can work as a Travel Attendant without formal qualifications, however, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in hospitality or customer service may be useful. Employers look for Travel Attendants who provide good customer service, are reliable and well presented.
• Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks
  You can work as a Purchasing or Supply Logistics Clerk without formal qualifications, however, a formal qualification in logistics, procurement, business, warehousing operations or another related field may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways. Employers look for Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks who interact well with others, are organised, trustworthy and responsible.
• Train and Tram Drivers
  You usually need a Certificate IV in Rail or Train Driving to work as a Train or Tram Driver. Employers look for Train and Tram Drivers who can interact with customers, provide good customer service and are well presented.
• Railway Track Workers
  You can work as a Railway Track Worker without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in rail infrastructure or rail track surfacing might be helpful. Employers look for Railway Track Workers who are motivated and hardworking.
• Freight and Furniture Handlers
  You can work as a Freight or Furniture Handler without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A Certificate II or III in Transport and Logistics (rail operations), road transport (freight handler), warehousing operations, driving operations or stevedoring might be helpful. Employers look for Freight and Furniture Handlers who are physically fit, reliable, polite and courteous.

Access to Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics industry training

Although many Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics jobs don’t require formal qualifications, undertaking a VET qualification may help you build sought after skills and land a job.

As a registered job seeker, you may qualify for government-subsidised training via Smart and Skilled.

What is Smart and Skilled?

Smart and Skilled is a key part of the NSW vocational education and training system. It’s helping people get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers.

Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with:

• an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III
• government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.

To be eligible for NSW Smart and Skilled funding you must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen; 15 years old or over; no longer at school and living or working in NSW.

There are currently more than 200 Transport, Postal, Warehouse and Logistics Courses available to job seekers under the Smart and Skilled scheme. Browse courses at https://smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au/sands/find-a-course?context=course&searchQuery=Transport%2C+Postal+and+Warehousing+

Want to know more?

If you would like more information on working in this Industry, how to access licences, tickets, training and/or employment opportunities, please contact your Global Skills Employment Consultant.

Sources: joboutlook.gov.au, yourcareer.gov.au, Labour Market Information Portal, National Skills Commission, smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au, infrastructure.gov.au, mhdsupplychain.com.au, auspost.com.au