Online job ads for Machinery Operators and Drivers
Online job ads for Machinery Operators and Drivers across Australia and by state, from Jobs and Skills Australia, to .
In plain English
- In there were 14,100 new online job ads for Machinery Operators and Drivers across Australia, seasonally adjusted: 6.6% of all ads.
- Compared with , ads were up 12.5%, so by our rule they are rising over the year.
- Over the month, ads held steady (up 0.1%).
- Compared with the monthly average of 7,940, ads were up 77.0%.
- Queensland had the most ads for this group (4,020).
- Over the year, ads rose most in Western Australia (up 20.7%).
- They fell most in the Northern Territory (down 1.6%).
Occupation groups are those Jobs and Skills Australia uses for job ads. See the methodology.
Online job ads, the past five years
By state and territory
| State or territory | Ads, September 2026 | On the month | On the year | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 3,270 | up 0.3% | up 7.9% | Rising |
| Victoria | 2,260 | down 1.6% | up 7.9% | Rising |
| Queensland | 4,020 | up 0.1% | up 12.3% | Rising |
| South Australia | 1,090 | up 4.5% | up 19.6% | Rising |
| Western Australia | 2,850 | down 1.5% | up 20.7% | Rising |
| Tasmania | 210 | up 9.4% | up 13.8% | Rising |
| Northern Territory | 170 | down 1.5% | down 1.6% | Steady |
| Australian Capital Territory | 120 | down 9.4% | up 2.9% | Steady |
| Australia | 14,100 | up 0.1% | up 12.5% | Rising |
Detailed groups
| Occupation group | Ads, September 2026 | On the month | On the year | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine and Stationary Plant Operators | 3,270 | up 1.5% | up 14.3% | Rising |
| Mobile Plant Operators | 3,790 | down 0.1% | up 11.4% | Rising |
| Drivers and Storepersons | 6,990 | down 0.2% | up 12.2% | Rising |
Occupations with the most ads
Four-digit occupations in this group, as three-month averages (Jobs and Skills Australia does not seasonally adjust these).
| Occupation | Ads, three months to September 2026 | On the year | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Drivers | 3,100 | up 9.2% | Rising |
| Storepersons | 2,450 | up 7.3% | Rising |
| Forklift Drivers | 2,170 | up 17.8% | Rising |
| Earthmoving Plant Operators | 1,440 | up 15.2% | Rising |
| Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers | 1,030 | up 28.1% | Rising |
| Delivery Drivers | 1,020 | up 16.3% | Rising |
| Other Machine Operators | 890 | up 8.5% | Rising |
| Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators | 430 | up 19.0% | Rising |
| Other Stationary Plant Operators | 420 | up 11.5% | Rising |
| Bus and Coach Drivers | 390 | up 15.6% | Rising |
| Other Mobile Plant Operators | 350 | up 3.5% | Steady |
| Engineering Production Workers | 190 | down 2.3% | Steady |
| Industrial Spraypainters | 180 | down 17.4% | Falling |
| Train and Tram Drivers | 110 | up 69.0% | Rising |
| Agricultural, Forestry and Horticultural Plant Operators | 100 | up 49.3% | Rising |
What this means
General notes on reading job ads for Machinery Operators and Drivers, chosen by the direction of job ads over the year. They are not advice about your situation.
For job seekers
More ads usually means more openings to apply for. It does not tell you how many people apply for each one, or whether pay is changing, so read each ad closely for what the employer actually asks for.
For students
Ads today are not a forecast. A course takes time, and demand when you finish may be different. Use this alongside longer-term sources such as Jobs and Skills Australia's employment projections (opens another site) and Your Career (opens another site).
For employers
More ads can mean more employers competing for the same people. Comparing your ads with others in your occupation group and region, and being clear about hours, location and requirements, can help them stand out.
Job ads are not all jobs: many roles are filled without an online ad. See the limits of the data.
Sources and licences
Online job ads: Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index (opens another site), data, released . © Commonwealth of Australia, used under CC BY 4.0 (opens another site). Figures rounded; changes, shares and descriptions by Career Calling Insights.
Neither publisher endorses this site. How the numbers are turned into words: methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.