How to become a Transport Clerk
Transport clerks check the contents and related documents of freight goods. They tally and record the consignment and destination details of articles, containers and passengers. They also make freight or transport bookings, as well as related arrangements.
Personal requirements for a Transport Clerk
- Good communication skills
- Good organisation skills
- Able to work neatly and accurately
- Able to learn to use electronic trading systems
Education & Training for a Transport Clerk
You can work as a transport clerk without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. You can also become a transport clerk through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Duties & Tasks of a Transport Clerk
Transport clerks:
- Check the number of articles or containers in consignments of goods received or dispatched
- Make sure articles are in good condition and correspond to invoices, manifests or other records
- Arrange internal distribution of goods received
- Prepare and attach documentation to articles to be dispatched
- Make sure clearance procedures (such as payment of any customs entry fees or duties) are carried out
- Dispatch goods and arrange delivery promptly on arrival
- Spend time packing and unpacking goods in warehouses
- Drive between wharves, container terminals, airports and government departments
- Weigh and calculate cubic dimensions of items
- Contact senders to fix shortages and arrange replacement of damaged goods
- Maintain records of receipts and dispatches
- Undertake clerical work such as filing, accounting, updating customs records, preparing correspondence and inputting and retrieving information from computers.
Tasks
- Calculates storage and clearance charges and bills customers.
- Records customs clearance requirements and authorises collection of cargo.
- Arranges internal distribution of goods received.
- Maintains prescribed records of goods received and dispatched.
- Provides information to customers on custom tariffs, tariff classifications and concessions, and methods of clearing goods.
- Organises the dispatch of goods with completed documentation.
- Ensures outgoing shipments are in good condition and meet specifications.
- Identifies items and containers of incoming and outgoing shipments and verifies them against consignment records.
- Receives details of outgoing cargo, and arranges bookings of freight space and collection of goods from customers.
- Examines shipping documents and verifies cargo to be released.
Working conditions for a Transport Clerk
Transport clerks who work for large organisations may work alongside other clerks in city offices. However, import/export firms often employ only one transport clerk who works in a small office.
Employment Opportunities for a Transport Clerk
Transport clerks are employed by firms involved in the movement of goods. These include shipping agents, import/export companies, freight forwarding and storage companies and road haulage firms. Wholesalers and large manufacturing firms may also employ transport clerks. Demand is influenced by the state of the economy, the level of imports/exports and the use of computer technology to keep records of the movement of goods.
Specializations
Aircraft Load Controller
An aircraft load controller plan the permissible weight combinations for fuel, cargo and passengers, as well as the weight distribution in the aircraft. They also issue instructions to the loading staff.
Bond Clerk
A bond clerk calculates the duties, excise and other payments that are due and arranges for the clearance of the goods.
Customs Clerk
A customs clerk compiles customs documents for the import and export of goods, ensuring that customs laws and regulations are complied with. They work for customs agents, international freight forwarders or import/export firms.
Freight Traffic Controller
A freight traffic controller arranges the allocation of cargo space on railway or road haulage systems.
Import/Export Clerk
An import/export clerk compiles all documents and records details on imported/exported cargo before it is allowed to be moved from the port of entry/exit. They also authorise and organise the collection of cargo, the calculation and clearance of any charges, and arrange any booking of cargo space for outward-bound freight.
Shipping Officer/Clerk
A shipping officer/clerk obtains details from shipping companies about where and when goods will arrive and organises storage time at a wharf or in a container (as the time cargo can stay at a terminal is limited and costly).
Truck Dispatcher
A truck dispatcher arranges the assignment of freight to trucks as well as truck routing, slot times at wharves and timetabling.
Transport Clerk
Transport clerks check the contents and related documents of freight goods. They tally and record the consignment and destination details of articles, containers and passengers. They also make freight or transport bookings, as well as related arrangements.
Average age
42 years
Future Growth
Moderate
Gender Share
32% female
Average full-time
44 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,356
Skill level rating
Lower skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
88% Full-Time
Employment Size
22,500 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 0.7%
NSW: 30.2%
NT: 1.0%
QLD: 21.5%
SA: 6.7%
TAS: 1.6%
VIC: 26.1%
WA: 12.1%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.9%
20-24: 6.2%
25-34: 23.9%
35-44: 25.6%
45-54: 24.8%
55-59: 9.9%
60-64: 6%
65 and Over: 2.7%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 11%
Bachelor degree: 10%
Certificate III/IV: 22.7%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 3.7%
Year 10 and below: 18.7%
Year 11: 7.8%
Year 12: 26.1%
