Personal Assistant
Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.
| Job Prospects |
Below Average; employment for this occupation is expected to decline to 2015-16. |
| Salary Range |
$30,000 to $40,000 plus |
| Brief |
After all, her responsibilities not only include organising her employer's diary, but also making sure that the whole office operates smoothly.
There are approximately 3,000 Personal Assistants working in South Australia. Employment is largely full-time and most work in the Property and Business Services industry. Over half of persons in this occupation are females and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. |
Quick Profile Navigation
TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for: Personal Assistant
Accredited (Award)
Introduction
There's a good reason why many of the company executives you spot in the central business district look as if they have everything so under control. Most have personal assistants, who make sure their executive's daily routine is well organised. Personal assistants perform administrative and secretarial duties, which generally include drafting letters and reports, and operating office equipment such as computers, photocopiers and facsimile machines. They may also have to organise travel arrangements for their executive or other company directors. It's a matter of prioritising. You may have to look after more than one director. You have to be ultra organised because you're handling a variety of tasks at once and you need to be able to communicate with people on all levels. And discretion is important because you're handling a lot of confidential documents.
Similar Interests?
Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:
Clerical and Administrative
Receptionist (Tourism), Accountant, Hotel Manager, Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager, Human Resources Manager, Customer Service Officer, Transport Services Manager, Medical Administrative Officer, Project and Program Administrator, Purchasing Officer, Paralegal, Conveyancer, Bookkeeper, Credit and Loans Officer, Personal Assistant, Receptionist, Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers, Library Assistant or Technician
Helping and Community Services
Police Officer, Aged or Disabilities Carer, Counsellor and Community Worker, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Child Care Worker, Landcare Officer, Customer Service Officer, Park Ranger, Tourist Information Officer, Kitchen hand, Medical Administrative Officer, Interpreter, Reflexologist, Youth Worker or Disability Worker, Financial Counsellor, Patient Care Assistant, Massage Therapist, Fitness Instructor, Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Professional, Personal Assistant, Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers, Library Assistant or Technician
Influencing and Personal Contact
Designers for Theatre, Performance and Events, Receptionist (Tourism), Accountant, Police Officer, Event Coordinator, Restaurant and Catering Manager, Hotel Manager, Counsellor and Community Worker, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Travel Consultant (Domestic and International), Child Care Worker, Film, Stage, TV and Radio Director, Bank Officer, Musician, Butcher, Nursing (enrolled), Sports Coach, Personal Trainer, Landcare Officer, Human Resources Manager, Veterinary Nurse, Ecotourism Guide, Park Ranger, Author/ Book Editor, Tourist Information Officer, Beauty Therapist, Florist, Actor, Project and Program Administrator, Cellar Door Salesperson, Reflexologist, School Services Officer, Youth Worker or Disability Worker, Conveyancer, Copywriter, University - VET Lecturers, Financial Counsellor, Patient Care Assistant, Aromatherapist, Fitness Instructor, Hairdresser, Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Professional, Market Research Analyst, Sales Consultant (IT), Credit and Loans Officer, Marketing and Advertising Specialists, Retail Sales Supervisors and Assistants, Management Consultant, Personal Assistant, Real Estate Sales Representatives & Property Managers, Fashion Designer
Education Requirements
Of those currently employed there are 20% who have either a Certificate I or II, 9% who have either Certificate III or IV, 9% have either an Advanced Diploma or a Diploma, 7% have Bachelor Degrees an 51% have no post school qualifications.
To work as a personal assistant, it is usually necessary to complete an office or secretarial course, which includes shorthand, typing, word processing, and computing skills.
TAFE SA offers the following courses to assist you gaining employment in this and related occupations; Certificate II, III, IV and Diploma in Business; Certificate IV in Frontline Management; and Certificate III, IV and Diploma in Business Administration.
For further information go to the TAFE SA website http://www.tafe.sa.edu.au.
Career Path
Employment growth in this occupation is not expected to be strong in the medium term. Recruitment officers suggest that uncertainty in the labour market means that people are tending to remain in their positions for longer than normal periods.
Industries
Finance and Insurance, Manufacturing, Property and Business Services
Interview
To be updated.
Nature of the Job
Personal assistants work in offices and may find employment in a variety of industries. Most work in the financial and investment, property, legal and accounting areas in the private sector, and in government administration. Most of the personal assistants working in South Australia, work in the metropolitan area.
There may be opportunities to travel, as some employers who travel interstate or overseas regularly, may find it necessary to take along their personal assistant.
Typical Physical Working Environment
The Australian Institute of Office Professionals says skills in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software are required, as are Internet research abilities. One recruitment agency manager reinforces this, saying employers are increasingly looking for people with excellent computing skills. As more and more senior personnel in organisations become computer literate, personal assistants have been freed from duties such as typing and printing dictated/written letters, leaving them more time to take on other duties such as research activities using computers. If you possess good written and oral communication skills, are able to work well in a pressurised and unsupervised environment, and can meet deadlines, then you should enjoy this type of work.
Typical Occupational Example
It takes many years to progress to the position of personal assistant. Typically, you will have started in an administrative assistant role, then progress to personal assistant. Some work in a combined receptionist/secretarial role before advancing to her current position. From a receptionist/secretary point of view, being a personal assistant is a career move.
Earning Potential
Recruitment agencies indicate that personal assistants employed by the resources sector are likely to earn higher salaries. They may earn between $40,000 and $60,000 per year, while those working in the finance, accounting and legal industry may earn between $35,000 and $50,000 per annum.
Further Information
For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or enquire online