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Occupation Details

Human Resources Officer



Fact Sheet

Maintaining company personnel files

Human resources officers provide administration services for the recruitment and employment of staff.

Duties and Tasks

Human resources officers may perform the following tasks:

  • conduct analyses to determine staffing numbers, skills and needs to meet the organisation's objectives
  • analyse the skills and qualities required for each particular job and develop job descriptions and duty statements
  • advertise staff vacancies, assess applications, interview applicants, give selection tests, prepare reports and make recommendations to management about staff appointments
  • maintain the personal records of employees on matters such as wages, superannuation, leave and training, and prepare associated management reports
  • arrange and conduct staff training
  • use a number of management information systems to record, maintain, plan and manage the organisation's human resources
  • provide advice and information to management and employees on personnel policies and procedures, including equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and occupational health and safety programs
  • advise employees on work matters, career development, personal problems and industrial matters, and organise employee welfare services such as canteens, first aid, superannuation and social activities
  • take part in enterprise bargaining talks where employees, management and unions discuss the development of specific work arrangements and conditions (e.g. pay and hours of work)
  • help put in place organisational changes (e.g. those following from industrial relations legislation, revised job classification structures or technological changes)
  • take part in strategic management

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of ECONOMICS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an economics-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs are usually performed sitting down at a desk, counter, workbench or other location for periods of at least two hours at a stretch. Jobs requiring sitting for long periods have been excluded.
Included are jobs in accounting, administration, advertising, banking, distribution, economics, finance, marketing, personnel management, policy advice, public relations, real estate, sales and valuation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS to investigate or seek solutions to scientific, technical, social or other issues. Activities include observing, researching, analysing and interpreting results. The ability to develop theories, apply logic and explore abstract ideas in a specialist area of knowledge is important.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH DATA to order, process or retrieve facts and figures, or to develop or administer policies and procedures. Activities include organising, using or updating information, such as files or accounts, developing or following procedures or systems, and the planning, budgeting, and staffing of an organisation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to sell to, influence, motivate, negotiate with, or serve them. Activities include selling, promoting or providing goods or services, bargaining, or presenting a point of view.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree, or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study, such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.

Work Conditions

In small organisations, human resources officers are usually responsible for all staffing matters. In large organisations they may specialise in a particular area, such as recruitment, wages and entitlements or staff training.

Personal Requirements

  • good planning, organisational, analytical and decision-making skills
  • good oral and written communication skills
  • confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Updating personnel records to ensure accurate information is available at all times

Occupation Video - Human Resources Officer