Overview
All Motor Mechanics
-
$1,436 Weekly Pay
-
Stable Future Growth
Diesel Motor Mechanics
-
7,800 workers Employment Size
-
Medium skill Skill level rating
-
94% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
46 hours Average full-time
-
32 years Average age
-
1% female Gender Share
Diesel Motor Mechanics maintain, test and repair diesel motors and the mechanical parts of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles such as transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
Specialisations: Automotive Heavy Mechanic.
You usually need a certificate III in automotive diesel engine technology, automotive diesel fuel technology or another related field to work as a Diesel Motor Mechanic. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
- Detects and diagnoses faults in engines and parts.
- Dismantles and removes engine assemblies, transmissions, steering mechanisms and other components, and checks parts.
- Repairs and replaces worn and defective parts and reassembles mechanical components, and refers to service manuals as needed.
- Reassembles engines and parts after being repaired.
- Tests and adjusts mechanical parts after being repaired for proper performance, diagnoses and tests parts with the assistance of computers.
- May inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or detail work required to achieve roadworthiness.
Prospects
The number of people working as Diesel Motor Mechanics (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years:
from 6,500 in 2011 to 7,800 in 2016.
Caution: The Australian jobs market is changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with extreme caution.
- Size: This is a small occupation.
- Location: Diesel Motor Mechanics work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Other Services; Transport, Postal and Warehousing; and Wholesale Trade.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (94%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 46 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 32 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are under 25 years of age (28%).
- Gender: 1% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
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.
Pathways
You usually need a certificate III in automotive diesel engine technology, automotive diesel fuel technology or another related field to work as a Diesel Motor Mechanic. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Automotive Retail, Service and Repair and Automotive Manufacturing Sector VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
Employers look for Motor Mechanics who are hardworking with a good work ethic, reliable and provide good customer service.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Economics and accounting
Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
Telecommunications
Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Systems evaluation
Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Hearing sensitivity
Tell the difference between sounds.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Extent flexibility
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Depth perception
Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Working with mechanical equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Working with electronic equipment
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Guiding and directing staff
Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
Working with computers
Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

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, 49-3031.00 - Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.
Work Environment
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.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
Outdoors, exposed to weather
Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
In an enclosed vehicle or equipment
Work in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
Telephone
Talk on the telephone.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Cramped work space
Work in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Very hot or cold temperatures
Work in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
Bending or twisting your body
Spend time bending or twisting your body.
-
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings
Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
Outdoors, under cover
Work outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
In an open vehicle or equipment
Work in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

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, 49-3031.00 - Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.
All Motor Mechanics
-
$1,436 Weekly Pay
-
Stable Future Growth
Diesel Motor Mechanics
-
7,800 workers Employment Size
-
Medium skill Skill level rating
-
94% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
46 hours Average full-time
-
32 years Average age
-
1% female Gender Share
Diesel Motor Mechanics maintain, test and repair diesel motors and the mechanical parts of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles such as transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
Specialisations: Automotive Heavy Mechanic.
You usually need a certificate III in automotive diesel engine technology, automotive diesel fuel technology or another related field to work as a Diesel Motor Mechanic. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
- Detects and diagnoses faults in engines and parts.
- Dismantles and removes engine assemblies, transmissions, steering mechanisms and other components, and checks parts.
- Repairs and replaces worn and defective parts and reassembles mechanical components, and refers to service manuals as needed.
- Reassembles engines and parts after being repaired.
- Tests and adjusts mechanical parts after being repaired for proper performance, diagnoses and tests parts with the assistance of computers.
- May inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or detail work required to achieve roadworthiness.
The number of people working as Diesel Motor Mechanics (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years:
from 6,500 in 2011 to 7,800 in 2016.
Caution: The Australian jobs market is changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with extreme caution.
- Size: This is a small occupation.
- Location: Diesel Motor Mechanics work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Other Services; Transport, Postal and Warehousing; and Wholesale Trade.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (94%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 46 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 32 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are under 25 years of age (28%).
- Gender: 1% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
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.
You usually need a certificate III in automotive diesel engine technology, automotive diesel fuel technology or another related field to work as a Diesel Motor Mechanic. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Automotive Retail, Service and Repair and Automotive Manufacturing Sector VET training pathways.
Employers look for Motor Mechanics who are hardworking with a good work ethic, reliable and provide good customer service.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Economics and accounting
Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
Telecommunications
Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Systems evaluation
Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Hearing sensitivity
Tell the difference between sounds.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Extent flexibility
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Depth perception
Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Working with mechanical equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Working with electronic equipment
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Guiding and directing staff
Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
Working with computers
Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

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, 49-3031.00 - Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.
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.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
Outdoors, exposed to weather
Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
In an enclosed vehicle or equipment
Work in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
Telephone
Talk on the telephone.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Cramped work space
Work in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Very hot or cold temperatures
Work in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
Bending or twisting your body
Spend time bending or twisting your body.
-
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings
Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
Outdoors, under cover
Work outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
In an open vehicle or equipment
Work in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

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, 49-3031.00 - Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.