Cashier Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

What does a cashier do?

Cashiers are typically employed by supermarkets, shops, entertainment venues or other retail outlets that revolve around customer purchases. A cashier scans products, takes customer payments, processes discount coupons and issues receipts. In some cases, cashiers may also be asked to restock shelves or process customer refunds.

Cashier is always a customer-facing role that requires good customer service skills and a helpful attitude to ensure customers have a good experience and will want to return.

Cashier skills and qualifications

To perform their role well, a successful cashier should have the following skills and aptitudes:

• Customer focus
• Friendly, positive attitude
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision
• Basic arithmetic skills
• Resilience and ability to deal with customer complaints
• Attention to detail
• POS system knowledge

Cashier experience requirements

A cashier role is a position that can be a great opportunity for individuals beginning their career, regardless of prior experience. Most cashiers train on the job and pick up the necessary skills as they go along.

Some employers may prefer to hire a cashier with previous relevant experience, especially in very busy retail environments or during busy shopping periods, such as in the lead-up to Christmas.

Cashier education and training requirements

In Australia, cashiers don’t require any formal qualifications, but most cashiers will have completed Year 10. Many cashiers are school-leavers or part-time employees. Those who are striving to pursue a career in retail may consider acquiring the Certificate II in Retail Services or the more advanced Certificate III in Retail, both offered by TAFE. These courses teach cashiers what working in a service organisation entails and address aspects like how to identify security risks in their daily work, preparing them for roles with more responsibility down the track.

Cashier salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a cashier is $27.98 per hour. Notably, all reported cashier salaries are very similar across all locations and businesses in Australia, hovering around the national average everywhere.

Job description samples for similar positions

There are several roles that are similar to that of a cashier. Read the descriptions to decide if you need to hire one of these workers in addition to or instead of a cashier:

• Retail sales associate
• Retail associate
• Sales assistant

Cashier job description FAQs

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions employers have asked about the cashier role:

What qualities does a good cashier need to have?

A successful cashier will have at least basic arithmetic skills and be confident in handling cash. As the cashier role is always customer-facing, a great cashier is friendly and happy to engage with customers to ensure they have a good experience. In busy retail environments, cashiers also need to be resilient and able to work under pressure. Keeping a cool head will help cashiers do a great job and ensure that both their customers and their employers are satisfied.

What are the working hours like for cashiers?

Many cashiers work part-time and are scheduled on a roster that may change every week. Shifts can cover any period during the shop’s opening hours. Some weekend work may be required, and during busy times of the year, cashiers may be asked to come in for more shifts than usual to meet the extra demands in the busy retail segment during certain times of the year.

Are cashiers required to stand during their whole shift?

Some shops and supermarkets require their cashiers to stand throughout their entire shift, while others provide seats for their cashiers. As being able to work in a seated position is more ergonomic, you may want to consider letting your cashiers work while seated or at least providing a stool for them to lean on.

What career progression opportunities might a cashier expect?

If a cashier wants to pursue a career in the retail industry, they may see their cashier job as a stepping stone for their career path. Once a cashier has gained a good amount of experience in the role, they may want to progress into a customer service or sales role and, ultimately, into a managerial position. Those cashiers who opt to complete a vocational Certificate in Retail will have the best advancement opportunities, as employers will appreciate the extra effort and skills that come along with it.