How to become an Administrative Assistant

    Administrative Assistant

    Administrative assistants perform a range of administrative tasks in an organisation.

    Personal requirements for an Administrative Assistant

    • Able to work methodically, accurately and neatly
    • Good oral and written communication skills
    • Able to work as part of a team
    • Neat personal appearance

    Education & Training for an Administrative Assistant

    You can work as an administrative assistant without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications. You may like to consider a VET qualification in business, business administration or a related field. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.You can also become an administrative assistant through a traineeship in Business or Business Administration. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.


    Duties & Tasks of an Administrative Assistant

    Administrative assistants:

    • Sort and distribute incoming mail to areas and staff within the organisation and dispatch outgoing mail
    • Write business letters, reports or office memos
    • Answer telephone enquiries from customers, attend to visitors and assist other staff in the organisation with their enquiries
    • Operate a range of office machines such as photocopiers, computers and faxes
    • File papers and documents
    • Undertake other duties such as banking, credit control or payroll functions.

    Tasks

    • Preparing reports of a routine nature
    • May perform receptionist duties
    • Recording issue of equipment to staff
    • Sorting, opening and sending mail
    • Receiving letters and telephone messages
    • Recording, preparing, sorting, classifying and filing information
    • May provide customers with information about services
    • Transcribing information onto computers, and proofreading and correcting copy
    • Photocopying and faxing documents

    Working conditions for an Administrative Assistant

    Administrative assistants may be required to carry out numerous tasks in a small office, or to concentrate on just one or two specific tasks in a larger office.Administrative assistants usually work indoors, and may work alone or in a team with other administrative assistants, professional and technical staff, and tradespeople. Experienced administrative assistants may undertake more complex tasks and responsibilities.


    Employment Opportunities for an Administrative Assistant

    Administrative assistants are employed in most industry sectors, across government administration; business, education, health, legal and accounting services, and real estate.The continual introduction of new technology requires administrative assistants to be flexible, multiskilled and capable of responding to change. It is possible to work remotely, using online technology to communicate with clients.


    Specializations

    Administrative Assistant

    Administrative assistants perform a range of administrative tasks in an organisation.

    • Average age
      Average age
      42
    • Future Growth
      Future Growth
      Decline
    • Gender Share
      Gender Share
      84% female
    • Average full-time
      Average full-time
      40 hours
    • Weekly Pay
      Weekly Pay
      $1,305
    • Skill level rating
      Skill level rating
      Entry level
    • Unemployment
      Unemployment
      Lower unemployment
    • Full-Time Share
      Full-Time Share
      62%
    • Employment Size
      Employment Size
      297,000
    • Employment Size
      Employment by state
      ACT: 3.7%
      NSW: 32.4%
      NT: 1.3%
      QLD: 21.2%
      SA: 7.0%
      TAS: 2.0%
      VIC: 21.9%
      WA: 10.4%
    • Employment Size
      Age brackets
      15-19: 2.5%
      20-24: 7.8%
      25-34: 19%
      35-44: 21.6%
      45-54: 25.7%
      55-59: 11.1%
      60-64: 7.4%
      65 and Over: 4.8%
    • Employment Size
      Education level
      Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 14.5%
      Bachelor degree: 15.3%
      Below Year 10: 1.3%
      Certificate III/IV: 16.8%
      Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 5.4%
      Year 10 and below: 15.5%
      Year 11: 6.9%
      Year 12: 25.5%
      Years 11 & 10: 18.5%
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