Important: This page is an independent reference summary. Verify classification decisions against the official ABS source before using them for tax, licensing, immigration or compliance purposes.

Role overview

Recycling or Rubbish Collectors are workers classified within the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) under code 899611. They perform essential waste management services, primarily collecting household and commercial refuse and recyclables from kerbsides and premises. Their work is physically demanding and involves operating or assisting with waste collection vehicles, manually handling bins and bags, and transporting materials to designated disposal or processing sites. This occupation is a vital part of Australia's public health and environmental management infrastructure, ensuring the regular removal of waste from communities. The ANZSCO classification is a legacy system still used for statistical purposes, migration assessments, and cross-referencing with other international classification frameworks.

Key tasks in practice

While a formal task list is not provided by ANZSCO for this occupation, the core duties can be inferred from the title and industry practice. A person in this role would typically:

  • Drive or ride on specialised waste collection vehicles along designated routes.
  • Lift, empty, and return household and commercial bins and rubbish bags into the collection vehicle.
  • Operate mechanical lifting equipment on trucks to hoist and empty large commercial bins.
  • Sort recyclable materials from general waste at the point of collection or at a depot to minimise contamination.
  • Ensure collected waste is securely contained during transport to prevent spillage or littering.
  • Perform basic maintenance and cleaning duties on collection vehicles and equipment.
  • Adhere to workplace health and safety procedures to manage risks associated with heavy lifting, vehicle movement, and handling waste materials.

Skill level explanation

This occupation is classified at ANZSCO Skill Level 5. This is the lowest skill level in the classification, indicating that the entry requirement for most roles is on-the-job training of a short duration, often less than a month. Formal education or prior experience is not typically a prerequisite. The skills required are predominantly practical and manual, focusing on safe lifting techniques, vehicle operation (which may require a specific driver's licence), and following routine procedures. The classification reflects that the role involves performing simple, repetitive tasks under direct supervision.

Industry context

Recycling or Rubbish Collectors are predominantly employed within the Waste Collection Services industry (ANZSIC 2921). This industry includes businesses and local government entities engaged in the collection of solid and liquid waste and recyclable materials. Employment can be found with private waste management contractors and municipal councils that provide kerbside collection services. Some may also work in related contexts, such as at waste transfer stations or recycling depots (which can fall under ANZSIC 2911 Waste Treatment, Disposal and Remediation Services), where they might be involved in sorting materials. Their work is critical to the operation of urban sanitation systems across Australia.