What does a courier do?
A courier drives a vehicle, usually a van, to deliver goods and packages to recipients. They are hired by private individuals or companies and transport a large variety of goods, including chilled items, furniture, medical products, sensitive documents and gifts. Couriers typically work for logistics or shipping companies and often wear a uniform while making deliveries. Some deliveries may require the recipient to provide their signature, and the courier needs to update the relevant delivery documentation.
Many couriers work for express courier companies and are responsible for safely making urgent and often time-critical deliveries. Most courier services are on demand, meaning the courier picks up a parcel from a sender and drives to the recipient to deliver it. This means that these couriers have different routes and customers every day.
Some couriers start their day in a depot, load their van and then make a round of deliveries before returning to their depot at the end of their shift. Other couriers have regular routes that they service on a daily basis, especially for medical samples that need to be taken from pathology or medical offices to laboratories.
Courier skills and qualifications
To succeed in their role, a good courier should have the following skills and aptitudes:
- Good driving skills
- Clean driving record
- Ability to deal with pressure and stressful situations
- Great customer service skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to be punctual
- Great organisational and problem-solving skills
- Ability to adhere to safety regulations, traffic laws and other guidelines
Courier experience requirements
Most employers welcome some experience in the deliveries sector, but many courier positions are ideal for job starters and don’t require any previous experience. Courier drivers often train on the job with an experienced driver before they get assigned their own route. Larger companies may even offer theoretical training to their new drivers.
If you specialise in higher-risk areas, such as pathology or medical deliveries, you may want to hire a courier with at least two years of driving experience to ensure safe and prompt deliveries.
Courier education and training requirements
Courier is generally considered an entry-level role, and drivers often learn on the job. Working as a courier in Australia therefore requires no formal qualifications, although it is normally expected that applicants have completed Year 10. What’s more, a Certificate II or III in Driving Operations offered by TAFE will provide useful practical skills and can give a candidate an edge over other applicants with no qualifications.
It goes without saying that a courier needs to have a current driver’s licence for the vehicle they will be operating.
Job description samples for similar positions
There are several roles that are similar to that of a courier. Read the descriptions to decide if you need to hire one of these positions in addition to or instead of a courier:
Courier job description FAQs
What makes a great courier?
A great courier has an eye for detail and knows how to stay organised. They handle all packages with the utmost care and take pride in providing excellent customer service. A good sense of direction and sound navigation skills also come in useful. If an applicant meets all these criteria and is resourceful and able to perform well under pressure on top of everything else, you have found the perfect candidate for your courier role.
Does a courier need their own vehicle?
Independent contractors may use their own vehicle and are responsible for upkeep and insurance, but employed couriers typically drive a vehicle provided by their employer . These are usually company vans with the organisation’s corporate branding and logo to increase visibility while out and about.
Is courier a physically demanding role?
Couriers need to be able to load and unload their vehicle and lift packages. Some goods may be heavy and lifting them requires a reasonable amount of physical fitness. In addition, a courier sits in the vehicle for long periods of time while driving. Staying in a seated position for hours each day may increase the risk of injury to the back, neck or spine. Previous injuries in those areas may therefore not be ideal.
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