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ANZSCO 392312

Small Offset Printer

Skill level 3Assessed by TRANo Shortage

General information, not immigration advice. Data as at 2026-10-22.

About this occupation

ANZSCO 2022

Sets up and operates small offset printing presses used in instant print shops or for in-house printing.

Skill level 3

Also called

  • Instant Printer Operator

Specialisations

  • Digital Printer

Unit group 3923

Printers

Printers set up and operate letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, newspaper, instant, digital and offset printing presses.

Indicative skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia

  • AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand

  • NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks include

  • Setting, adjusting and monitoring substrate-feed mechanisms, delivery mechanisms, inking systems and other printing machine functions
  • Mixing ink and solvents to standard, and regulating paper and ink supply during print runs
  • Monitoring, evaluating and determining press operations manually and by computer to check print quality standards against proofs and detect malfunctions
  • Producing a variety of printed products using relief, lithographic, flexographic and gravure printing presses, and in-line finishing systems
  • Preparing plates, blankets and impression cylinders on small offset lithographic printing presses
  • Loading paper into feeding mechanisms
Show all 10 tasks
  • Monitoring machine operations and quality of printing
  • Undertaking maintenance, adjustment, repair and cleaning of machines
  • Producing and managing digital print images, and transferring and outputting images
  • May set up and operate paper and bookbinding guillotines

Occupations in this unit group

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022. CC BY 4.0.

ANZSCO 2022 (the edition the CSOL uses for the 482 and 186 visas)

Title in this edition: Small Offset Printer, skill level 3

Major group
3 Technicians and Trades Workers
Sub-major group
39 Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Minor group
392 Printing Trades Workers
Unit group
3923 Printers

The title and groups are the same in ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 and ANZSCO 2022.

Occupation Shortage List (2026)

National rating
No Shortage
Confidence
On-balance
Rated on
ANZSCO 2022

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA, released 21 October 2026. CC BY 4.0.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO (CC BY 4.0). Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list (CC BY 4.0). Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Search another occupation