Printing Machinists produce books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, posters, leaflets, packaging materials and stationery using printing presses.

Skill Level

3

Specialisations

• Flexographic Printing Machinist
• Gravure Printing Machinist
• Label Printing Machinist
• Letterpress Printing Machinist
• Lithographic Printing Machinist
• Reel Fed Printer
• Sheet Fed Printer

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 Printing Machinist is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Must have successfully completed an AQF Qualification either a Certificate III in Print Manufacturing or formal training that is comparable
• Must possess skills that are current to Australian industry standards demonstrated by 12 months full time employment or equivalent part-time in the occupation in the previous three years
• If you have obtained a qualification internationally or an Australian qualification that was not through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full time or equivalent post-qualification experience
• If you have obtained an Australian qualification issued through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full-time or equivalent post-qualification experience OR 6 years full-time or equivalent experience which can be either pre- or post-qualification

Set up and operate letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, newspaper, instant, digital and offset printing presses.

Tasks

• Setting, adjusting and monitoring substrate-feed mechanisms, delivery mechanisms, inking systems and other printing machine functions
• Mixing ink and solvents to standard, and regulating paper and ink supply during print runs
• Monitoring, evaluating and determining press operations manually and by computer to check print quality standards against proofs and detect malfunctions
• Producing a variety of printed products using relief, lithographic, flexographic and gravure printing presses, and in-line finishing systems
• Preparing plates, blankets and impression cylinders on small offset lithographic printing presses
• Loading paper into feeding mechanisms
• Monitoring machine operations and quality of printing
• Undertaking maintenance, adjustment, repair and cleaning of machines
• Producing and managing digital print images, and transferring and outputting images
• May set up and operate paper and bookbinding guillotines

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia:
AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand:
NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Occupations in this Group

• 392311 Printing Machinist
• 392312 Small Offset Printer