How to become a Furniture Removalist

Furniture removalists move domestic and commercial furniture between different locations, within the state or territory and nationwide.

Personal requirements for a Furniture Removalist

  • Enjoy practical work
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Safe driving record
  • Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • Good communication skills

Education & Training for a Furniture Removalist

You can work as a furniture removalist without formal qualifications. You will probably get informal training on the job.You can also become a furniture removalist through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.


Additional information

You must hold the appropriate licences to drive vehicles and operate machinery.You may become an accredited furniture removalist with the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA). For more information, please contact the organisation.

Duties & Tasks of a Furniture Removalist

Furniture removalists:

  • Inspect the house or office at the pick-up address to see what has to be moved, then pack and label items if required
  • Load goods onto the truck either by hand or using a forklift, trolleys, lifting straps or lifting hooks
  • Use pads and pieces of hessian to ensure items such as fridges, couches and beds are not damaged
  • Ensure the load is correctly placed and secured to avoid any damage to the truck or to the goods
  • Drive defensively and handle all types of road conditions
  • Unload goods and move them into the drop-off address, unpacking if required
  • Check items against inventory, noting any wear and tear or damage
  • Conduct a general maintenance check of the truck and clean the vehicle
  • Provide customer service.

Tasks

  • Observes safety requirements when loading and unloading vehicles.
  • Loads and unloads vehicles using lifting and tipping devices.
  • Manoeuvres vehicles into position for loading and unloading.
  • Ensures goods are stowed and securely covered to prevent loss and damage.
  • Verifies loading documents, checks condition of goods and obtain certification of deliveries.
  • Estimates weights to comply with load limitations and ensure safe distribution of weight.

Working conditions for a Furniture Removalist

Furniture removalists may work long hours and be away from home for extended periods, especially for interstate and international removals.


Employment Opportunities for a Furniture Removalist

Most furniture removalists work as contractors for large removal companies. Some are owner-operators working for themselves. A small number are company employees, although this is becoming increasingly rare.Most furniture removalists work in the metropolitan area.


Specializations

Furniture Removalist Offsider

A furniture removalist offsider drives in the truck alongside a furniture removalist and assists with furniture removal duties at a junior level.

Furniture Removalist

Furniture removalists move domestic and commercial furniture between different locations, within the state or territory and nationwide.

  • Average age
    Average age
    32
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    N/A
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    5% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    43 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    N/A
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Entry level
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Lower unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    46%
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    5,800
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 2.2%
    NSW: 31.9%
    NT: 1.1%
    QLD: 21.0%
    SA: 7.2%
    TAS: 1.8%
    VIC: 23.8%
    WA: 11.1%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 4.7%
    20-24: 17%
    25-34: 30.1%
    35-44: 20.2%
    45-54: 16.7%
    55-59: 5.6%
    60-64: 3.8%
    65 and Over: 1.8%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4.7%
    Bachelor degree: 6.5%
    Certificate III/IV: 16.5%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 1%
    Year 10 and below: 34%
    Year 11: 9.9%
    Year 12: 27.4%
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