Office Assistant — Reception, Administration and Office Support, Australian Employers

Law firms, healthcare providers, logistics companies, councils, universities and general corporate offices across Australia hire office assistants and administration assistants. The function is not tied to one sector, which is why it advertises steadily through every part of the economic cycle and why it is one of the more reliable entry points into Australian office work without a degree.

What the work involves

Answering and directing calls, greeting visitors, managing general correspondence, maintaining filing systems and records, ordering and monitoring supplies, coordinating meeting rooms and office maintenance, and supporting other departments with administrative tasks. Some roles add event, meeting and travel coordination.

Requirements

• Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook — named in almost every listing
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Prior administration, reception or customer-facing experience, usually desirable rather than mandatory
• Full working rights in Australia, stated explicitly on most listings
• A National Police Check, which is nationally recognised
• In education, healthcare and community services, a working with children or vulnerable people check for the state you will work in

How the pay is quoted

• Published averages sit between about $56,000 and $62,500 depending on the source, and they disagree by more than $6,000 for the same job title
• Superannuation is 12 per cent and Australian advertisements split on whether it is inside the quoted figure or on top of it
• The floor is the national minimum wage, $1,004.90 a week from 1 July 2026, which annualises to about $52,255 for a full-time employee

Before you apply

Ask whether the figure includes superannuation, and check which state's clearance the role needs. The super question is worth about $7,464 on a $62,200 figure, and a working with children check from another state will not transfer — Queensland does not recognise interstate checks at all.

Note: pay, hours, clearance requirements and eligibility are set by each employer and by state law — not by JobGader. Confirm the details on the employer's own advertisement before applying.