Journalists and Other Writers Nec research and compile news stories, write and edit news reports, commentaries, and feature stories for presentation in print and electronic media, and compose written material to advertise goods and services.Note: this occupation group covers Journalists and Other Writers not elsewhere classified

Skill Level

1

Specialisations

• Blogger
• Critic
• Editorial Assistant
• Photo Journalist

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Journalists and Other Writers Nec is Vocational & Education Training Assessment (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Qualification assessed at AQF Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field of study AND at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employmentat an appropriate skill level in the last five years

OR

• Qualification assessed at AQF Bachelor degree or higher WITH an additional qualification at AQF Diploma level in a highly relevant field of study AND at least two years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years

OR

• Qualification assessed at AQF Bachelor degree or higher WITHOUT a highly relevant field of study AND at least three years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
• Applicants must meet both the qualification and employment requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment
• Highly relevant fields of study include:
  • Journalism
  • Media
  • Writing
• Applicants should provide a cover letter to justify the rationale for choosing an NEC category

Research and compile news stories, write and edit news reports, commentaries and feature stories for presentation in print and electronic media, and compose written material to advertise goods and services.

Tasks

• Determining advertising approach by consulting clients and management, and studying products to establish principal selling features
• Writing advertisements for press, radio, television, cinema screens, billboards, catalogues and shop displays
• Making decisions about the specific content of publications in conjunction with other senior editors and in accordance with editorial policies and guidelines
• Reviewing copy for publication to ensure conformity with accepted rules of grammar, style and format, coherence of story, and accuracy, legality and probity of content
• Collecting and analysing facts about newsworthy events from interviews, printed matter, investigations and observations
• Writing news reports, commentaries, articles and feature stories for newspapers, magazines, journals, television and radio on topics of public interest
• Researching and writing technical, information-based material and documentation for manuals, text books, handbooks and multimedia products
• Critically discussing daily news topics in the editorial columns of newspapers and reviewing books, films and plays

Skill Level

In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Occupations in this Group

• 212411 Copywriter
• 212412 Newspaper or Periodical Editor
• 212413 Print Journalist
• 212414 Radio Journalist
• 212415 Technical Writer
• 212416 Television Journalist
• 212499 Journalists and Other Writers nec