what is an administration officer?
As an administration officer, you use your skills to ensure seamless business operations in an office setting. Your business acumen helps you understand the purpose and background of the company you work for to run the office smoothly. You perform various tasks to free up departmental managers for other responsibilities. As an administration officer, you should know about office methods, systems, equipment and software packages. You manage other administrative staff by assigning duties and preparing their schedules. You are also involved in hiring entry-level workers like cleaners and caretakers.
In the past, the role of an administration officer was to perform repetitive tasks like typing and filing. With technological advancements, the administration officer's role has evolved. Automation promotes efficiency and productivity in completing administrative tasks. Nowadays, the job description of an administration officer has expanded to include project management and support work. Hence, your role involves budgeting for new projects, planning workers' schedules and writing reports. Knowledge of information technology can help you leverage the benefits of technology and simplify your tasks.
You also welcome visitors and help them find their appointments as an administration officer. You answer customer queries and resolve conflicts to ensure they receive the best customer service.
administration officer rolesaverage administration officer salary
The average administration officer salary in Australia is $60,000 per year. When you don't have tertiary education or practical hands-on experience, your remuneration package will be lower than $50,000 annually. However, as you gain experience and specialise in specific areas of interest, your earnings increase to $65,000 yearly. Administration officers also receive additional pay by working overtime for higher hourly rates.
how to increase your salary as an administration officer
The salary expectations of administration officers vary depending on their certifications and experience level. You earn an entry-level salary when you don't have tertiary education like a Certificate III or IV in business administration. Administration officers with a diploma or bachelor's degree can negotiate higher salaries. Your work experience also influences your pay. Minimal work experience affects your earning potential since employers pay salaries based on your practical skills. With extensive experience in the role, your remuneration package increases.
Where you work also dictates your earnings since salaries fluctuate based on the cost of living and the demand for administration officers. Working in metro areas improves your salary prospects due to the demand for administration officers.
Want to know what you will earn as an administration officer? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of administration officers
Administration officers vary based on the industry they work in and their area of specialisation. Some of the types of administration officers include:
- health administration officers: as a health administration officer, you perform administrative tasks in office settings. Your job includes maintaining patient records, directing patients to appointments, and replenishing office supplies. You also provide patients' medical records to doctors and manage other office workers.
- legal administration officers: some administration officers work in law firms to manage office operations. Your job involves data entry tasks and filing documents. You assist lawyers with retrieving case files and maintaining client records. To excel in the role, you should conversate with legal terminology and collaborate with other administrative assistants to complete office tasks on time.
working as an administration officer
Working as an administration officer involves juggling multiple tasks. Some are routine, but others could change daily depending on the work environment. Let's explore administration officers' specific duties, working environments and schedules.
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administration officer job description
While your duties differ depending on your employer, some of your standard tasks include:
- supervising other administrative staff: as an administration officer, your primary role is to ensure the data-entry clerks, secretaries, and receptionists perform their tasks effectively. You create work schedules and delegate duties to your co-workers. You provide clear instructions for completing each task to avoid mistakes and ensure smooth business operations.
- coordinating meetings and events: whenever managers want to speak to employees, the administration officer sets up a meeting. You also coordinate events like training workshops or conferences and organise the logistics associated with the events. That means you can schedule appointments and arrange travel itineraries for the attendees.
- preparing project reports: as an administration officer, you plan office projects and oversee their progress. Your job is to keep track of ongoing projects and measure performance. You also create reports to present to the managers.performing clerical tasks: you perform some clerical tasks like typing memos, writing letters and filing documents. You also manage all forms of correspondence in the office environment. That means you answer phone calls, receive parcels and reply to emails. Any industry-related data entry work, like collecting data from surveys, also falls within your clerical workload.
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work environment
You work in various settings as an administration officer, including corporate offices, government agencies, hospitals and educational institutions. Most of your work is sedentary since you spend hours working in an office environment. Sometimes, you lift or move heavy files or parcels around the office. The role doesn't involve travelling since you oversee operations in an office setting. However, you can work remotely to supervise all administrative tasks.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include administrators, administrative assistants, receptionists and secretaries. You might also be working close to paralegals and office managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, couriers, accountants and cleaning staff.
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work schedule
An administration officer has a typical work week of 40 hours. You work the traditional office hours and occasional evenings or weekends to complete special projects or meet deadlines. As an administration officer, you can work full-time or part-time. Full-time workers complete 8-hour workdays, while part-time administration officers work three to five hours a couple of times a week. Administration officers also have access to flexible working arrangements like job sharing and compressed work weeks.
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job outlook
Administration officer roles have a projected job growth rate of 3.1% in the next five years. That means the role has promising career prospects. Administration officers advance their careers by pursuing higher qualifications. You can progress to a senior administrator, executive assistant or office manager.
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advantages of finding an administration officer job through randstad
Finding your administration officer 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 administration officer 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.
education and skills
As an administration officer, you play a crucial role in managing business operations and ensuring the smooth functioning of offices. To become an administration officer, you don't require formal qualifications. However, the following things improve your prospects:
- educational qualifications: pursue a Certificate III or IV in business and specialise in administration or operations. The courses are available in TAFE and registered training organisations. To progress to higher positions, you need higher qualifications like a diploma in business operations or a bachelor's of business administration. The courses equip you with technical knowledge of running office operations and prepare you for supervisory and managerial duties.
- work experience: you require extensive experience in administrative roles to become an administration officer. Data-entry roles and entry-level positions equip you with the necessary skills for the role.
administration officer skills and competencies
Some of the skills that an administration officer requires include:
- delegation: your job involves assigning tasks and delegating responsibilities to other administrative staff. Good delegation skills prepare other workers for leadership positions.
- communication skills: you are an important contact person in the organisation, so you should be courteous to visitors and respond to queries. Proper communication also improves transparency when you share your expectations with other employees.
- organisation skills: you juggle multiple tasks, and without organisational skills, you cannot keep your work schedule in order. Organisational skills help you prioritise tasks and complete them in a time-efficient manner.
- teamwork skills: you require teamwork skills to collaborate on administrative projects and develop new processes. Teamwork skills involve practising empathy and being a good listener to incorporate other people's opinions.
- multitasking skills: you manage numerous tasks simultaneously as an administration officer. For instance, you respond to phone calls and emails in a timely manner. You also oversee projects and meet with customers and visitors. The ability to manage multiple tasks is a huge asset.
FAQs about working as an administration officer
Here are the most asked questions about working as an administration officer:
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what is the role of an administration officer?
As an administration officer, you are the point of contact for other employees and provide administrative support. You also manage visitors' and customers' queries. Sometimes, you perform clerical and bookkeeping tasks to ensure the office documentations are in order. You are in charge of other administrative staff and communicate their duties to them.
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what qualifications do I need to be an administration officer?
Administration officers don't require formal education, but tertiary qualifications improve your job prospects. To become an administration officer, consider completing certificate courses with a registered training organisation, like a Certificate III in business (administration). You can improve your business skills by completing a diploma in business operations or a bachelor's degree in business administration.
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is administration a good job?
Working as an administration officer is a fulfilling career. The diversity of new tasks every day makes the role enjoyable. There is satisfaction in helping your colleagues perform their duties efficiently and in welcoming visitors. The remuneration package is also promising for an entry-level, middle-management position.
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what are administration skills?
Administrative skills increase office productivity and help you complete tasks efficiently. Clerical skills help you keep accurate records, prepare reports and file documents. You also keep projects on track, arrange travel and schedule meetings. Other administrative skills include organisational and multitasking abilities that allow you to juggle and prioritise multiple tasks.
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how much does an administration officer earn?
An administration officer earns an average salary of $60,000 per year. The remuneration package usually fluctuates depending on the experience level and qualifications. Entry-level administration officers receive a salary of $55,000 per year.
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how do I apply for an administration officer vacancy?
Applying for an administration officer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our administration officer job offers.
Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.