Career pathway
Printers
ANZSCO 3923
Employed
8,800
Part-time share
19%
Female share
4%
Median weekly earnings
$1,408
Median age
49 yrs
Employment outlook
Declining
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia · ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing.
About this career
Printers set up and operate letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, newspaper, instant, digital and offset printing presses.
What they typically do
- Setting, adjusting and monitoring substrate-feed mechanisms, delivery mechanisms, inking systems and other printing machine functions
- Mixing ink and solvents to standard, and regulating paper and ink supply during print runs
- Monitoring, evaluating and determining press operations manually and by computer to check print quality standards against proofs and detect malfunctions
- Producing a variety of printed products using relief, lithographic, flexographic and gravure printing presses, and in-line finishing systems
- Preparing plates, blankets and impression cylinders on small offset lithographic printing presses
- Loading paper into feeding mechanisms
- Monitoring machine operations and quality of printing
- Undertaking maintenance, adjustment, repair and cleaning of machines
- Producing and managing digital print images, and transferring and outputting images
- May set up and operate paper and bookbinding guillotines
States and territories
Share of workers by location
VIC
34.8%
NSW
26.4%
QLD
17.5%
SA
11.1%
WA
5.1%
TAS
2.4%
ACT
1.5%
NT
1%
Qualification pathways
These accredited qualifications can lead to a career as a Printers.
- View qualification
Certificate III in Printing
ICP31220 · AQF 3 · 8 providers
- View qualification
Certificate IV in Printing and Graphic Arts Management
ICP40120 · AQF 4 · 1 providers
