How to become a Garbage Collector
Garbage collectors collect household, commercial and industrial waste for disposal or recycling.
Personal requirements for a Garbage Collector
- Enjoy outdoor and practical work
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Education & Training for a Garbage Collector
You can work as a garbage collector without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.You can also become a garbage collector through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Additional information
You will need appropriate licences to drive vehicles and operate machinery. Truck drivers and garbage collectors involved in transporting waste products and toxic or flammable substances must have suitably endorsed licences.
Duties & Tasks of a Garbage Collector
Garbage collectors:
- Ride in or on garbage trucks
- Collect waste and load it into bins or trucks
- Return empty domestic bins to footpaths
- Report incidences of graffiti
- Operate forklift and compacting equipment
- Drive trucks, street-sweeping machines or machinery at rubbish tips.
Tasks
- Riding on and in garbage and recycling trucks
- Collecting rubbish and items for recycling from domestic, commercial and industrial premises
- May supervise other garbage collectors
- Loading rubbish and recycling into bins and garbage and recycling trucks
- Unloading garbage and recycling trucks
- May operate compacting equipment on garbage trucks
Working conditions for a Garbage Collector
Garbage collectors may operate their own business or work within a partnership collecting garbage bags and other rubbish from domestic and commercial premises. Garbage collectors work outdoors in all weather conditions. They may work early in the morning and at night.
Employment Opportunities for a Garbage Collector
Most garbage collectors work for private rubbish removal companies. Their services are then contracted by local councils and corporations.With experience and further training, it is possible to progress to supervisory and management positions.
Specializations
Garbage Collector
Garbage collectors collect household, commercial and industrial waste for disposal or recycling.
Average age
51
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
13% female
Average full-time
43 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,272
Skill level rating
Entry level
Unemployment
Higher Unemployment
Full-Time Share
71%
Employment Size
4,300
Employment by state
ACT: 1.2%
NSW: 36.4%
NT: 4.9%
QLD: 15.8%
SA: 6.6%
TAS: 1.8%
VIC: 23.2%
WA: 10.0%
Age brackets
15-19: 3.4%
20-24: 8.5%
25-34: 16.7%
35-44: 17.9%
45-54: 27.2%
55-59: 12.2%
60-64: 8.4%
65 and Over: 5.7%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4.7%
Bachelor degree: 3.3%
Certificate III/IV: 26.2%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.3%
Year 10 and below: 37%
Year 11: 8.3%
Year 12: 20.3%
