What does an administrator do?
An administrator has many important organisational and administrative tasks that ensure that the business runs as smoothly as possible. Administrators can work in many different industries and are often considered the backbone of their organisations.
On a daily basis, administrators use and maintain office equipment, manage office supplies and stockrooms and help with managing any incoming and ongoing correspondence and phone calls. The role is very versatile and requires excellent organisational skills, as a good administrator will play a key role in ensuring all clerical processes run effectively.
Administrator skills and qualifications
A successful administrator should have the following skills and aptitudes to perform their role well:
- Great organisational skills
- Good computer and technical skills, e.g., to operate printers and photocopiers
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A friendly nature and desire to help
- Ability to prioritise tasks and an eye for detail
- A proactive approach with good problem-solving skills
Administrator experience requirements
Administrator can be an entry-level role for the right applicant. The willingness to learn and work hard can compensate for a lack of practical experience if a candidate brings the necessary skills and aptitudes to the table.
However, you may want to hire a more senior administrator who has already gained some experience in a similar role. As administrators can work in any industry, their acquired skills are transferrable. This means that you can safely consider applicants with an administrative background in any industry.
Administrator education and training requirements
To work as an administrator in Australia, no formal qualifications are required. However, you may want to seek out applicants who have chosen to obtain a relevant Vocational Education and Training qualification, such as the Certificate III in Business (Administration) or the Certificate IV in Business Administration at TAFE or another registered training organisation. This can make them stronger candidates as it means that they will have already acquired some administration skills and general office know-how.
In addition, some administrators choose to complete a Diploma of Business (Operations) to give them the edge over other candidates when applying for administrative positions.
Administrator salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an administrator is $66,708 per year. Some universities and government departments are paying much higher salaries for administrator positions than private entities. The University of Sydney stands out as a particularly well-paying employer for administrators, with salaries of over $125,000 – close to twice the national average – being reported.
Job description samples for similar positions
There are several roles that are similar to that of an administrator. Read through the descriptions to see if you need to hire one of these specialists instead of an administrator:
Administrator job description FAQs
What is the difference between an administrator and a secretary?
At first glance, administrators and secretaries have quite similar roles – they both provide clerical support within an organisation. However, administrator is usually a more senior role than secretary and requires more problem-solving skills. In addition to the purely organisational duties administrators share with secretaries – such as scheduling appointments, taking meeting minutes and typing up documents and correspondence – they are also responsible for compiling data and creating reports, interacting with individuals across various departments, in some cases even assisting with billing and payables or budgeting, and often reporting to senior management rather than just supporting one staff member.
What could I ask an administrator during an interview?
To make sure you’re recruiting the right person for your administrator role, try asking them these questions during their interview:
Can you describe a time when confidentiality was essential and you had to exercise particular discretion while performing your role? Do you ever go the extra mile, above and beyond your job description, and can you give an example? How do you deal with a fast-paced office environment and demanding situations?
Their answers will give you a good indication of who you’re dealing with and if the candidate is a good match for your organisation.
Does an administrator have to be office based, or can the role be performed virtually?
Virtual assistants have become a fixture in most industries. You may find that a remote administrator can handle most tasks you have assigned to them, especially if your administrator is primarily tasked with scheduling meetings and typing correspondence. However, most businesses will benefit from having their administrators working on the premises.
If an administrator is physically present, they can directly interact with staff and customers and personally visit different departments. This can make it a lot easier to establish personal relationships and manage office equipment and organisational matters than having to handle everything remotely.
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