Working as a Packaging Operator in the food and beverage industry you will monitor and operate packaging machinery, package products, identify and report quality issues. You will inspect containers, materials and products to ensure that packing specifications are met.

Summary of Training

  • Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs
  • Participate in traceability activities
  • Operate and monitor interrelated processes in a production or packaging system
  • Apply good manufacturing practice requirements in food processing
  • Contribute to work health and safety processes
  • Operate the labelling process
  • Perform packaging equipment changeover
  • Operate and monitor a carbonated beverage filling process         
  • Operate and monitor a form, fill and seal process
  • Manage bottling and packaging processes
  • Manage filling and packaging of fermented beverages
  • Set up a production or packaging line for operation
  • Provide on-job training support
  • Lead work teams and groups
  • Read and respond to routine standard operating procedures
  • Facilitate change in an organisation implementing competitive systems and practices      
  • Operate the electronic coding process

Please note that this Job & Training Description provides an example of the selection of non-core units. Alternative combinations of units may be selected and in some cases prerequisite units may need to be completed. For advice contact Apprenticeship Network providers or an approved Registered Training Organisation.

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Employment and wage data for this industry

Commencements Change

The change in Australian Apprenticeships commencements in this overall industry in the past two years. Commencements in 22/23: 2064

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 18/10/2023. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Employment

Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry in employment (in any industry).

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Wage

Average wage of Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry employed full-time after training.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Growth

Predicted growth in employment in this overall industry over the next 5 years.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Size

The number of employees in this overall industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

Average wage of employees in this overall industry.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Availability Information

Packaging Operator - FBP30121
NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 36 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 36 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Commencements 80 90 80 75 110 20 0 0
ASbA
Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)

A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occupations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Commencements

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 18/10/2023, rounded estimates for April 2022 to March 2023. This data is for general information purposes only.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA)

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases full-time or part-time ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit our Australian School-based Apprenticeships page for more detailed information.

Next Steps

Who to contact next ...

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Where to ask wages questions ...

The Fair Work Ombudsman is the source of information on wages across industries and occupations. The FWO provides apprenticeship and traineeship specific information.

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Training provider and incentives information

Each state and territory lists Registered Training Organisations they approve to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships. Access these sites here, as well as information on incentives.

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