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Sub-major Group

52 Personal Assistants and Secretaries

ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations
Reference period
2022

52 Personal Assistants and Secretaries

Personal Assistants and Secretaries perform organisational, clerical, secretarial and other administrative tasks in support of Managers and Professionals.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this sub-major group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • liaising with other staff about a range of matters relating to the organisation's operations
  • drafting and preparing documents such as briefing notes, memoranda and correspondence
  • maintaining appointment diaries and making travel arrangements
  • processing mail, filing correspondence and maintaining records
  • answering telephone calls and inquiries
  • taking and transcribing dictation of letters and other documents
Minor Group

521 Personal Assistants and Secretaries

Personal Assistants and Secretaries perform organisational, clerical, secretarial and other administrative tasks in support of Managers and Professionals.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • liaising with other staff about a range of matters relating to the organisation's operations
  • drafting and preparing documents such as briefing notes, memoranda and correspondence
  • maintaining appointment diaries and making travel arrangements
  • processing mail, filing correspondence and maintaining records
  • answering telephone calls and inquiries
  • taking and transcribing dictation of letters and other documents
Unit Group

5211 Personal Assistants

Personal Assistants perform liaison, coordination and organisational tasks in support of Managers and Professionals.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • liaising with other staff on matters relating to the organisation's operations
  • researching and preparing reports, briefing notes, memoranda, correspondence and other routine documents
  • maintaining confidential files and documents
  • attending meetings and acting as secretary as required
  • maintaining appointment diaries and making travel arrangements
  • processing incoming and outgoing mail, filing correspondence and maintaining records
  • screening telephone calls and answering inquiries
  • taking and transcribing dictation of letters and other documents
  • may supervise other secretarial and clerical staff

Occupation:

521111 Personal Assistant

521111 Personal Assistant

Performs liaison, coordination and organisational tasks in support of Managers and Professionals.

Skill Level: 2

Unit Group

5212 Secretaries

Secretaries perform secretarial, clerical and other administrative tasks in support of Managers, Legal Professionals and other professionals. Medical Secretaries are excluded from this unit group.

Medical Secretaries are included in Unit Group 5421 Receptionists, in Occupation 542114 Medical Receptionist.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • liaising with other staff to arrange meetings, and to gain and provide information
  • preparing reports, briefing notes and correspondence, and proofreading work for typographical and grammatical errors
  • maintaining appointment diaries and making travel arrangements
  • processing incoming and outgoing mail, filing correspondence and maintaining records
  • answering telephone calls, responding to inquiries and redirecting callers
  • taking and transcribing dictation of letters and other documents
  • greeting visitors, ascertaining nature of business and directing visitors to appropriate persons
  • may implement management decisions and maintain records of meetings
  • may handle bookkeeping and petty cash functions

Occupations:

  • 521211 Secretary (General)
  • 521212 Legal Secretary

521211 Secretary (General)

Performs secretarial, clerical and other administrative tasks in support of Managers and Professionals.

Skill Level: 2

521212 Legal Secretary

Performs secretarial, clerical and other administrative tasks in support of Legal Professionals applying knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and documents.

Skill Level: 2