Could a single directory change how they find production roles across cities and regions?
The service curates manufacturing opportunities nationwide and helps candidates who’re looking to move into, or within, Australia find a job that suits their production skills and experience.
The directory lists verified employers, links to roles in food and beverage, machinery and warehouse settings, and highlights whether a role is permanent or temporary.
Users can get started with simple search filters, set email alerts for day or night shifts, and follow clear steps to apply or register interest.
It also flags practical requirements such as forklift training or site inductions so applicants can assess fit and plan their next career move.
Australia’s manufacturing employment landscape and who this service directory serves
The sector’s workforce has shifted dramatically since its heyday in the 1970s, and today’s directory helps people navigate that change.
At its 1973 peak there were about 1.46 million workers. Over decades the share of employment fell as technology, regulation and global supply chains altered production and made output more capital‑intensive.
Between 2015 and early 2020 roles stabilised and began to rebuild, but the pandemic caused a sharp Q2 2020 decline of roughly 56,600 positions. By October 2020 the sector showed resilience compared with some service areas.
Workforce data from early 2020 shows 71% male, 85% full‑time and an average week of 37.3 hours. Casuals made up about 17.3%, and bachelor‑level attainment lagged the economy‑wide average.
This directory serves candidates who’re looking for production work and employers seeking a clear channel to reach them. It suits process‑oriented applicants, tradespeople, technicians and warehouse staff.
Listings are tagged by perm or temporary status, sector specialism (FMCG, medical devices, chemical and automotive) and shift patterns, so users can filter roles available by day or night and shortlist the best opportunity.
manufacturing jobs australia: roles, locations and employers
Listings in the directory show which production roles and local employers are hiring now across capital cities and regional hubs.
Common roles include process worker positions, machine operators, electrical fitters and maintenance technicians. Hays and other recruiters advertise active openings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin.
Process workers and team members carry out assembly line tasks, operate machinery, perform quality checks and complete manual handling duties. Warehouse and warehouse distribution areas often need forklift drivers or forklift operators to assist with dispatch and goods‑in work.
Employers typically seek prior experience on machine stations, safe lifting practice, PPE use and basic troubleshooting. Food product, machinery and metal products sites may also expect HACCP or GMP awareness where relevant.
The directory helps candidates compare opportunity fit quickly: check licences, site induction needs, shifts and pay bands. Applying once can put a candidate before multiple employers and speed the move from advert to interview for day or rotating rosters.
Production roles and skills in demand
Success on an assembly line often comes down to disciplined process work and clear safety habits.
Process workers carry out routine checks, pack, monitor quality and keep throughput steady. Machine operators and line attendants combine speed with attention to instruction to hit output targets.
Employers value prior experience with SOPs, manual handling and lock‑out/tag‑out. Clear evidence of basic equipment checks and problem‑solving helps candidates move ahead in shortlists.
Candidates who’re experienced with forklifts or hold a forklift licence can take on forklift driver tasks. That often bridges production and warehouse duties like loading, staging and line‑side replenishment.
Operating machinery skills are essential in some roles and trainable in others. Multiskilling across lines improves resilience and creates a path to team leader or maintenance support roles.
Shifts typically run day, afternoon and night shift patterns; day‑night rotations and fatigue management are common considerations for employers. Sector specifics matter too—food sites stress hygiene while medical device plants require cleanroom discipline.
Practical training — for example short forklift operator courses and SOP compliance — increases employability and readiness for work in modern manufacturing plants.
Smart job search: alerts, CV support and career advice
A focused search plan and timely alerts make finding the next job faster and less stressful.
Use a job search planner to list target employers, preferred locations and day or night shifts. Create job alerts so relevant vacancies land in email and candidates don’t miss an opportunity.
Register a CV on major platforms like Hays and Jobted, add licences such as forklift, and keep contactable referees ready. This speeds interviews for perm or temporary roles.
Tailor CVs for production or warehouse roles by noting quantifiable outcomes, safety records and specific equipment experience. Career advice guides help sharpen interview answers and professional summaries when ‘re looking for a new position.
Check pay ranges in a salary guide to benchmark offers against duties and experience. Use alerts to track high‑priority applications, log follow‑ups and maintain momentum across multiple opportunities.
Finally, set a weekly routine: review alerts, refine the CV, follow up on leads and use referral programmes and LinkedIn networking to surface hidden roles.
Past employment trends shaping opportunities
Economic cycles, currency swings and automation have all shaped opportunities on the factory floor.
Employment peaked at about 1.46 million in 1973 and then eased in waves after major recessions. Post‑GFC restructuring and a strong AUD between 2010 and 2013 reduced export competitiveness, which cut headcount in many sectors.
From 2015 to early 2020 roles stabilised and started to rebuild. The pandemic then caused a Q2 2020 fall of 56,600, though the sector recovered more quickly than some service areas by October 2020.
Subsector effects differed. Beverage and pulp lines shed workers, while chemicals hired for sanitiser and pharmaceuticals. Food and beverage remained the largest employer, then machinery and metal products.
This history shows why process discipline and machine familiarity transfer well across product lines. Employers value varied experience, shift exposure and throughput metrics when assessing candidates.
Practical skills such as forklift operation and warehousing knowledge often preserve opportunity when production volumes move. Applicants should balance short‑term salary expectations with long‑term skill building for career growth.
💡Pharmacy career opportunities in Australia hiring and growth
States and shifts: where the jobs have been and where to look
State hiring patterns differ. New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia saw long declines as textiles and car assembly reduced local roles. Western Australia and Queensland held steadier demand, helped by food, machinery and resource‑linked production.
Victoria’s second wave in 2020 forced many plants to close or cut capacity, so hiring there lagged compared with other states that ran closer to normal from June 2020.
Candidates should tailor job search alerts to specific postcodes and industrial belts. Set job alerts for warehouse distribution, production lines or particular sites within commuting distance.
Rosters vary by site: day, rotating and night shift patterns are common. Filter listings for night shift or day night options to match personal needs.
Forklift capability remains valuable. A forklift licence and forklift driver experience open line‑feeding and warehouse roles that can lead into production work.
The directory helps compare role expectations and experience thresholds by state. Use alerts and local recruiters to stay front of mind as volumes and opportunities return.
Ready to get started on your next role
Take practical steps now to move from browsing to applying. Define the target role and location, then update a CV to highlight production and warehouse experience.
Register a CV with Hays or Jobted, set job alerts for day or night shifts, and confirm licences such as a forklift ticket. Gather referees and training records to speed interviews and onboarding.
They should shortlist roles, write brief cover notes that mirror employer language, and schedule weekly time for applications and follow‑ups. With a clear plan and active alerts, candidates who’re looking can turn interest into offers and progress their career professionally.
