what is a administrator?
As an administrator, you perform various administrative functions in an organisation. For instance, you design office workflows and support office managers and department heads with work activities. You also maintain communication with internal and external parties in a company. Since you are the first point of contact for visitors, you need exceptional people skills to assist customers, vendors and clients.
Regardless of the industry or employer, an administrator acts as an organisation's backbone. You ensure that various departments, processes and employees work in unison. You facilitate the flow of information so that all parties are on the same page regarding company projects and goals.
As an administrator, you can work in most business sectors, from retail to transport, hospitals, universities and schools. Your job is to supervise other administrative staff and ensure they carry out their duties proficiently. While your day-to-day functions depend on the industry you work in, typical tasks include organising data and generating reports. Your customer-facing duties, such as processing customer orders and handling complaints, are also vital for the company's success.
The role of an administrator suits people with a systematic approach to processes. Being highly organised and detail-oriented is also crucial as you will be working independently, and your work should be error-free.
administrator jobsaverage administrator salary
with minimal experience and skills earn $50,000 annually. As you build your experience and skill level, your salary increases to $65,000 per year. Aside from the salary, the remuneration package also comes with multiple allowances, including car allowances, annual leave days and medical insurance. Some employers provide overtime pay for working extra hours and bonuses for achieving milestones.
ways to boost your administrator salary
As an administrator, your remuneration package depends on your area of specialisation. For instance, a hospital administrator may earn more than an office administrator due to the complexity of the role. The responsibilities you undertake dictate your earning potential in a company. You will probably receive a higher salary when you work as a senior administrator.
Large companies with unlimited resources also pay administrators more than smaller businesses. The company size determines the benefits you can receive in your remuneration package. Some locations also have better salary prospects due to the high demand for administrators. For instance, working in metro areas and large cities guarantees a higher salary due to the high cost of living and demand for administrators.
Want to know what you will earn as an administrator? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of administrators
Some types of administrators include:
- accounts administrator: as an accounts administrator you are responsible for the financial records of an organization. You may also be responsible for managing payroll and other financial tasks.
- data administrator: as a data administrator you are responsible for the organization and management of an organization's data. You are responsible for ensuring that data is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. You also develop and implement policies and procedures for data management.
- contracts administrator: as a contracts administrator you are responsible for overseeing and managing the contracts of an organization. You are responsible for ensuring that the contracts are in compliance with the law and that they are fair to both parties involved.
- legal administrator: as a legal administrator you provide administrative support to lawyers and other legal professionals. You work in law firms, government agencies, or other organizations that provide legal services. Your duties include managing office operations, preparing legal documents, and providing customer service.
- human resources administrator: as a human resources administrator you are responsible for the management and coordination of the human resources function within an organization. A human resources administrator may also be responsible for the development and implementation of human resources policies and procedures, as well as the management of employee records.
- planning administrator: as a planning administrator you help to develop, implement and oversee an organization's plans and goals.
- office administrator: as an office administrator, you are responsible for an office's effective and smooth running. You perform clerical and administrative functions like preparing reports and operating a switchboard. Apart from general office duties, you also speak with clients and visitors.
- school administrator: your job is to monitor the operations of a primary or secondary school. You file documents from various departments in the school and ensure accurate record-keeping.
- university administrator: you can work for the central administration or specific university departments. You are the point of contact for staff and students. Your role often involves bookkeeping and taking care of university finances.
- systems and network administrators: you maintain computer infrastructures by configuring them and ensuring their correct operation. You monitor networks and test them for weakness. You also install and implement updates to systems.
working as an administrator
An administrator plays numerous roles in an organisation to ensure its operations run smoothly. Learn more about the role and its typical responsibilities to find out if this is the career for you.
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administrator job description
The daily tasks of an administrator include:
- preparing and organising information: as an admin, you store information from your employer. You create documents, organise them in files and ensure they are stored according to company policy. You deal with information in digital and paper form, organising them properly for easy retrieval.
- answering phone calls and emails: as an administrator, you operate the switchboard. That means you answer phone calls and respond to queries from clients and customers. You record the calls for follow-up and deal with complaints. You also respond to emails and questions directed to the company through social media and live chats.
- welcoming visitors: as an admin, you welcome visitors at the reception and direct them to various departments. You greet customers and clients and help them receive the services they need. You also deal with their complaints and help them make appointments for the next meeting.
- organising logistics: when company staff attend events that require travel, you plan the logistics. You arrange transport and ensure everyone has accommodation.
- ordering office supplies: as an administrator, you supervise office functions, including caretaking operations. That means you restock cleaning supplies and toiletries. If the company doesn't have a procurement office, you make the orders and receive items from suppliers. You also ensure the office has enough stationery.
- organising post and deliveries: If the company needs to send correspondence, you prepare the letters and ensure they are delivered on time. You also receive correspondence and organise them before sending them to the respective departments.
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work environment
Administrators work in retail, management, hospitality and academic institutions. Some admins also work in industries such as mining and construction, organising paperwork for companies. Administrators work from a desk in an office environment. Most admins travel for meetings, conferences, expos and other indoor events. However, they don't supervise outdoor projects. Administrators spend most time behind their desks or moving within the organisation, performing various tasks. They review reports, spend part of their day on the phone and interact with other employees, clients and customers. While you can accomplish some of your tasks remotely, it's almost impossible to supervise office workers without going into the office.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include office managers and other types of managers, receptionists and bookkeepers. You might also be working in close proximity to accountants and nurses, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, doctors, administration assistants, hr administrators, and project managers.
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work schedule
As an administrator, you typically work 38 to 40 hours a week. Your work hours run from 9 am to 5 pm in full-time positions. Part-time admins work a maximum of 30 hours a week. In some industries, you work in shifts. For instance, hospital administrators need to be available 24/7.
Administrators must be prepared to work beyond normal business hours, including weekends. Some administrators work unsociable hours, such as overnight or on bank holidays, especially if they work in a public capacity, such as in hospitals.
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job outlook
As an administrator, you work in an entry-level position that provides multiple growth opportunities. Your experience in the role builds your skill set and prepares you for managerial roles like office manager or general manager. Alternatively, you can specialise in specific industries and improve your skills to become a project manager, human resource manager or sales manager. In Australia, administrators are in high demand and have a job growth rate of 3.1% in the next five years.
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advantages of finding an administrator job through randstad
Finding your administrator job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an administrator is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
administrator education and skills
To become an administrator, you require knowledge of office technologies and bookkeeping. However, you don't require formal qualifications since most employers provide on-the-job training. Earning a degree in business improves your chances of job success. It also helps you advance more swiftly. Apart from a degree, you can also pursue a certificate or diploma course to gain useful skills. Most administrators acquire Certificate III or IV in business administration. Diploma courses are also available, such as a diploma in business operations.
administrator skills and competencies
Administrators should have the following qualities:
- time management skills: as an administrator, you are responsible for creating and maintaining schedules and company calendars. You need time management skills to manage schedules effectively. Organisation skills help you timetable meetings, meet deadlines and delegate tasks. The skills also help you keep track of company responsibilities and ensure the business operations are running as expected.
- leadership skills and management skills: as an administrator, you lead staff members and motivate them to perform their duties. You need leadership skills to inspire other office workers and train staff. Your management skills help you facilitate team collaboration, conduct performance reviews and communicate with staff.
- financial management skills: as an administrator, you work on company budgets and take part in financial planning to manage project costs. You need budgeting and financial management skills to help you adhere to strict budgets and stick to the financial limitations of projects.
- analytical and critical thinking skills: administrators are responsible for many analytical tasks. For instance, you may review company processes and policies and analyse market trends to improve business operations. Analytical skills also help you conduct staff reviews and use key performance indicators to measure employee performance.
- communication and interpersonal skills: as an administrator, you communicate with many clients, workers, managers and other stakeholders. Communication skills help you address everyone appropriately and ensure stakeholders feel valued and respected.
FAQs about working as an administrator
Here are the most asked questions about working as an administrator:
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what is the minimum wage for administrators in Australia?
The minimum pay rate for workers in Australia is reviewed under the Fair Work Act 2009 annually. The minimum wage for administrators as of 1 July 2022 is $21.38 or $812.60 per week. However, most companies pay administrators twice the minimum wage with hourly rates of $40.24 per hour.
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what does an office administrator do?
An administrator provides office support to a team of workers to ensure the smooth running of the business. Your duties may include taking telephone calls and monitoring the creation of documents and filing. You also assist in hiring new employees and creating office budgets.
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what makes a good administrator?
A good administrator ensures tasks are completed on time. You need a high level of organisational and multitasking skills to help you juggle multiple tasks and delegate appropriately. Planning also helps when allocating budgets or hiring new workers.
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what is the difference between a receptionist and an administrator?
A receptionist is the public face of the company who welcomes visitors, answers questions and makes people feel welcome in an office. Administrators work closely with managers and employees to support internal operations.
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is the administrator a good job?
Becoming an administrator allows you to build a professional network as you help the business grow by accelerating expansion and business operations. You also develop practical skills like budgeting, multitasking and delegation.
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how do I apply for an administrator vacancy?
Applying for an administrator job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our administrator job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.