Recycling or Rubbish Collector

899611 · Very Heavy Next-day ready

Career data Verified

Rubbish and recycling collectors drive trucks to collect household, industrial or commercial rubbish for disposal or recycling.

Most common salary $53k – $89k

Upper salary up to $110k

Training No specific training

Collects household, commercial and industrial waste for recycling or disposal.

Rides on and in garbage and recycling trucks; collects rubbish and items for recycling from domestic, commercial and industrial premises; loads rubbish and recycling into bins and garbage and recycling trucks; may sort recyclables; unloads garbage and recycling trucks; may operate compacting equipment on garbage trucks; may supervise other garbage and recycling collectors.

Works in all weathers and traffic conditions and wears appropriate protective clothing.
May ride on, run alongside, or get on and off the collection vehicle in order to pick up bags or bins of rubbish for recycling or disposal.
Frequently deals with sharp and heavy items and the work is dirty, dusty and smelly.

Medium to very heavy physical demand levels.
Stands on trucks, walks and frequently runs to keep pace with the moving refuse truck.
Stretching up or across is frequent when picking up or depositing rubbish into the truck.
Squatting or crouching movements are uncommon.
Bending is a frequent requirement as lifting is part of the work activities.
Stepping on and off the standing platform at the rear of the truck is constant.
Twisting of the body or neck will be a frequent requirement given the tasks carried out.
Frequent contact with skin irritants will occur as refuse material often contains sharp objects and a variety of other hazardous substances. Protective equipment will be utilised.
Medium to very heavy lifting and carrying is constant when lifting bins or clean-sacks manually.
Repetitive movements are frequently required.
Driving may be required unless the employee is employed as a runner only.
Use of hand tools may be required occasionally to frequently when recycling.
Mental skills necessary include organisational and communication skills.

Entry signal Reviewed

No formal entry barrier — can start without prior training. A licence may be required for some roles or employers. Flagged next-day ready.

Entry barrier No formal entry barrier

Licence / registration Licence may be required

ANZSCO skill level 5

Next-day ready Yes

How this was determined (model-generated): Nil to start; Class 2-5 only required by some employers depending on vehicle — incidental.

Nil (ANZSCO Skill Level 5). A current Class 2-5 Driver’s Licence depending on weight and type of vehicle to be driven may be required by some employers.