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Career Brief: Stevedore

Also known as Waterside Workers, Dockers and Wharfies.

Their job revolves around loading freight onto and unloading it from ships.  As well as operating heavy machinery to move cargo, they moor and unmoor ships, open and close hatches, clean holds and containers, and prepare them for holding goods, stack cargo ready for it to be transferred, secure it for its voyage, and take care of the paperwork associated with the cargo. Stevedores have a long history, everywhere there has been sea trade, there has been a need for people to load and unload cargo.  Traditionally it has been a male-only occupation, but in the last 20 years, a growing number of women have joined the trade. Today it is a skilled occupation, requiring the operation of sophisticated, heavy machinery, and adherence to strict safety regulations.

What does the job entail?

Core Duties

  • Move loads onto and off trucks and ships using forklifts, reach trucks, cargo stackers, cranes, conveyor belts, and other heavy moving equipment
  • Update paperwork associated with freight receipt, storage, loading and dispatch.

 

Possible Duties

  • Organise or perform minor maintenance tasks on equipment and machinery.
  • Moor and unmoor ships as they arrive and depart the port.
  • Clean holds and shipping containers prior to loading cargo.

 

Pay

Wages are governed by different Enterprise Bargaining Agreements.  Under the Patrick General Stevedoring Agreement, Stevedore wages begin at about $34,500 pa before allowances. For more information on this agreement, see here

Conditions

  • The job is physical and carried out in all weathers and conditions.
  • Involves shift work.
  • May be required to undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

 

Aptitude

  • Physical
  • Mechanical
  • Must have good organisational skills
  • Must be able to follow instructions
  • Must have reasonable numeracy and literacy.
  • Team work

 

Educational requirements and other qualifications

 Required:

Advantageous:

  • National Forklift licence
  • Certificates I to IV in Transport and Distribution (Stevedoring), providers can be found through the National Training Information Service (http://www.ntis.gov.au)
  • Certificates I to IV in Stevedoring Operations (Container, Bulk and General), providers can be found through the National Training Information Service (http://www.ntis.gov.au)

Possible Career Paths

More Information

 

VIDEO - Stevedore - portcareers.com.au

 

Maritime Union of Australia (see http://www.mua.org.au/)

 

Job Guide (see here)  

 

Overview of the Stevedoring industry, including video footage (see here) 

Portcareers.com.au - Port of Brisbane jobs website, including job information & videos; and a jobs board.

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Disclaimer

www.the-linc.com.au

Updated 13 February 2009. This document is intended to be a guide only. The South Australian Freight Council Inc, its members, officers and subsidiaries do not warrant that the information contained within is correct, and as such it should not be relied upon for commercial, legal or any other purposes. The South Australian Freight Council Inc, its members, officers and subsidiaries explicitly disclaim any liability arising from such action. The “T&L logo only was developed by the Transport and Logistics Forum QLD, in conjunction with CILTA © Copyright SAFC 2006

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