Clerical and Administrative Workers hep with business operations. Some Clerical and Administrative Workers may be eligible to apply for a skilled migration visa to enter Australia.

Who are Clerical and Administrative Workers?

Clerical and Administrative Workers may perform quite a wide range of administrative tasks in a business or organisation. Clerical and Administrative Workers support the function of the business by ensuring efficient operations and activities. They may be involved in data entry, record keeping, managing correspondence, directing enquiries and support workflow or task allocation. 

Some Clerical and Administrative Workers provide support to senior officers in the organisations, through diary management minute taking or liaison. Clerical and Administrative Workers can be found in all types of businesses, including manufacturing, health, finance and logistics, as well as in government departments. 

What tasks can Clerical and Administrative Workers do?

Clerical and Administrative Workers are responsible for a range of tasks to facilitate the effective operations of a business. Specific tasks and activities for Clerical and Administrative Workers can include: 

• Establishing, delivering and reviewing office functions
• Carrying out clerical, secretarial, financial and other administrative functions
• Handling contracts, programs and projects
• Conducting data entry, processing and document preparation 
• Communicating with customers and other business representatives by phone or email, responding to inquiries and delivering information
• Creating and using financial, production, stock and statistical information
• Dealing with incoming letters, documents, reports and files and preparing materials for print or distribution 

What are the Clerical and Administrative Worker categories?

There are different types of Clerical and Administrative Worker roles outlined in the ANZSCO. These include:

• Office Managers and Program Administrators (51) who manage and handle organisational information and manage the activities of offices and practices. This group includes Contact, Program and Project Administrators (511) and Office and Practice Manager (512)
• Personal Assistants and Secretaries (52) who support Managers with clerical or secretarial support 
• General Clerical Workers (53) who mainly handle data entry, classification and sorting and carry out word processing tasks like transcribing information or proof reading and correcting information, including as Keyboard Operators (532)
• Inquiry Clerks and Receptionists (54) who greet customers and respond to contacts and requests for information. They may work as Call or Contact Centre Information Clerks (541) or Receptionists (542)
• Numerical Clerks (55) handle numbers and financial records, manage financial transactions and payroll and liaise with creditors and debtors to process payments. They may be Accounting Clerks and Bookkeepers (551) or Financial and Insurance Clerks (552)
• Clerical and Office Support Workers (56) who create and capture information that assist the function of an organisation. They may sort mail, handle phone calls or process payments or sales.
• Other Clerical and Administrative Workers (57) which includes Logistics Clerks (591) and Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers (599). Workers in this group carry out diverse tasks that help organisations to function. It may include Conveyancers, Legal Clerks, Debt Collectors, Library Assistants, Inspectors and Regulatory Officers.

Related professions on the Australian skilled occupation list include: Accountant, Human Resources Advisor, Management Account and Taxation Accountant.

What visas can Clerical and Administrative Workers apply for?

Dependent on areas of specialisation, visa categories for Clerical and Administrative Workers can include: 

• 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• 187 – Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 189 – Skilled Independent (subclass 189) – Points-Tested
• 190 – Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 407 – Training visa (subclass 407)
• 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
• 485 – Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) – Graduate Work
• 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – Family sponsored
• 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – State or Territory nominated
• 491 – Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated
• 491 – Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored
• 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) – Employer sponsored stream

What qualifications do Clerical and Administrative Workers need?

Clerical and Administrative Workers can be found across different sectors, including government, finance, healthcare, education, and corporate enterprises. Clerical and Administrative Workers will typically possess:

• AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2); or
• AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3); or
• AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4); or
• AQF Certificate I, or compulsory secondary education (ANZSCO Skill Level 5)

Clerical and Administrative Worker case study

Sofia, a talented numerical clerk from Kosovo, has gained extensive experience in data analysis, financial reporting, and numerical computation. Eager to expand her career horizons, Sofia sought the opportunity to work in Australia. After receiving a job offer from an Australian company, Sofia applied for a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) to enable her to work in Australia for a specified period. This visa program assists Australian Business who are experiencing genuine skill shortages and cannot find Australian workers to fill vacant positions.

Jameson Law was there to help Sofia to navigate the complex visa application procedures, demonstrate her skills and qualifications to meet the Australian standards, and secure sponsorship from her prospective employer. 

Migration advice for Clerical and Administrative Workers

If you are a skilled and experienced Clerical or Administrative Worker seeking an opportunity to work in Australia, then contact Jameson Law. When you seek legal advice related to immigration, it’s paramount that you select a registered migration agent to support you. Migration agents are required to stay up to date about the ever-changing Australian Immigration laws. Jameson Law have a proven track record in helping people be eligible to work and study in Australia. We can assist you in making the right visa application and appeal an unfavourable decision by the Department of Home Affairs.