ANZSCO Work Type Detail Sheets

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Freight Handler (Rail or Road)

891111 · Heavy

Description

Loads and unloads freight trucks, containers and rail cars.

Typical work tasks

  • Labels goods with customers' details and destinations; loads goods into trucks, containers and rail wagons, and secures loads; ties down loads and covers them with tarpaulins; guides truck drivers into loading bays and through confined spaces; performs clerical functions to record and check cargo on arrival, storage and dispatch; opens and closes hatches and secures cargo to prevent shifting during voyages; transfers loads using moving equipment and directs equipment operations using communication systems.

Typical work environment

  • Freight handlers work both indoors and outside.
  • Works in most weather conditions when outside and wear appropriate utilise protective clothing such as gloves, overalls and boots.
  • Works around a significant amount of mobile equipment, which is operated as required.

Typical physical and mental demands

  • Moderate to heavy physical demand levels.
  • Freight handlers constantly stand and walk about the worksite.
  • May sit down when operating machinery.
  • Stretching up or across is a frequent requirement when picking up/or moving cargo, freight or furniture items.
  • Squatting or crouching movements occasionally required when lifting/inspecting goods.
  • Bending is frequent if lifting is a required part of the work role.
  • Twisting of the body or neck is a frequent requirement.
  • Contact with skin irritants is not a significant component of the job.
  • Manual lifting and carrying are constant requirements.
  • Repetitive movements are a frequent requirement for many lifting and carrying tasks.
  • Drives or operates forklifts and other machinery or equipment frequently for many work activities. Hand tools are used occasionally.
  • Mental skills necessary include organisational and practical skills.
Entry signal Model estimate

Enter via a short course or licence (days to weeks). A licence may be required for some roles or employers.

Entry barrier Short course or licence
Licence / registration Licence may be required
ANZSCO skill level 5
Next-day ready No

Unverified — this label is model-generated and not yet clinician-reviewed. Confirm against the WTDS before relying on it.

How this was determined (model-generated): Freight Handler: base handling is OJT/Nil but forklift cert + Class 1 licence required IF forklift involved (the common case); conditional gateway keeps licence may_be_required. Proposal holds.

Entry Requirements

  • A New Zealand Register Level 1 qualification (Certificate) or compulsory secondary education (ANZSCO Skill Level 5). For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.
  • If forklift driving/operation is involved the following applies: A Forklift Operator’s Certificate is required. To operate on a road or in a public space, operators must also have a full Class 1 Driver's Licence with a Forklift (F) Endorsement. To operate a heavy forklift, operators also need to have a full Class 2 Driver's Licence with an F Endorsement.

Further Comments

  • There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.
  • The technology utilised will strongly influence the physical input levels required.