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Survey of Australian Technical Communicators 2005
During September and October 2005, I conducted a survey on behalf of the Australia Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication. The survey asked questions about demographics, working conditions, levels of education and experience - and of course - remuneration.
The survey was open to technical communicators living in Australia. It was advertised on the Internet through various technical writers' lists, the STC Australia Chapter membership, the ASTC NSW, the ASTC Victoria, and various smaller mailing lists in Perth, Brisbane, and elsewhere.
The survey was sponsored by the Society for Technical Communication (STC) Australia Chapter and was conducted using the online service HostedSurvey (http://www.hostedsurvey.com/).
A total of 103 people responded, with some dropping out part way through the survey (resulting in 97 responses by the final general questions). This response was disappointing compared to last year's 140 and the 206 responses from 2003.
The survey questions and results (including some data correlations) are summarised on the following pages. I have not attempted to draw conclusions or do any type of statistical analysis from the data presented.
* Survey questions (PDF; 575kb)
* Responses to Demographic questions
* Responses to Education questions
* Responses to Work questions
* Responses to Remuneration questions (salaries and hourly rates)
* Some Data correlations, including:
- Gender/Age
- Age/Experience
- Gender/Education
- Age/Education
- Employees: Gender/Salary
- Employees: Age/Salary
- Employees: Experience/Salary
- Employees: Education/Salary
- Employees: Location/Salary
- Contractors: Gender/Hourly rate
- Contractors: Age/Hourly rate
- Contractors: Experience/Hourly rate
- Contractors: Education/Hourly rate
- Contractors: Location/Hourly rate
* Responses to Comments sections
2005 Survey of Australian Technical Communicators: |
| Total Responses: | 103 | |
| Survey End Date: | 15 October 2005 | |
| (M): | Mandatory question |
I am... (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Female | 50 | 48.54% |
| Male | 53 | 51.46% |
| Total | 103 | 100.00% |
aged ... (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| less than 20 | 0 | 0.00% |
| 20-29 | 7 | 6.80% |
| 30-39 | 29 | 28.16% |
| 40-49 | 29 | 28.16% |
| 50-59 | 31 | 30.10% |
| 60+ | 7 | 6.80% |
| Total | 103 | 100.00% |
I live in... (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| ACT | 14 | 13.59% |
| NSW - Sydney area | 24 | 23.30% |
| NSW - regional | 3 | 2.91% |
| NT - Darwin area | 1 | 0.97% |
| NT - regional | 1 | 0.97% |
| Qld - Brisbane/SE Qld area | 7 | 6.80% |
| Qld - regional | 2 | 1.94% |
| SA - Adelaide area | 2 | 1.94% |
| SA - regional | 0 | 0.00% |
| Tas - Hobart area | 0 | 0.00% |
| Tas - regional | 1 | 0.97% |
| Vic - Melbourne area | 32 | 31.07% |
| Vic - regional | 3 | 2.91% |
| WA - Perth area | 10 | 9.71% |
| WA - regional | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other | 3 | 2.91% |
| Total | 103 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| New Zealand | 1 |
[Comment: Despite 3 selecting "Other" only 1 indicated where they were from]
and work in ... (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| ACT | 14 | 13.59% |
| NSW - Sydney area | 22 | 21.36% |
| NSW - regional area | 1 | 0.97% |
| NT - Darwin area | 3 | 2.91% |
| NT - regional area | 0 | 0.00% |
| Qld - Brisbane/SE area | 7 | 6.80% |
| Qld - regional area | 2 | 1.94% |
| SA - Adelaide area | 2 | 1.94% |
| SA - regional area | 0 | 0.00% |
| Tas - Hobart area | 1 | 0.97% |
| Tas - regional area | 1 | 0.97% |
| Vic - Melbourne area | 35 | 33.98% |
| Vic - regional area | 0 | 0.00% |
| WA - Perth area | 8 | 7.77% |
| WA - regional area | 2 | 1.94% |
| Other... | 5 | 4.85% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| New Zealand | 1 |
| International projects | 1 |
| Full time university student (Accounting and management) | 1 |
| visit Sydney once per month | 1 |
If you work in a different region from where you live, how do you do this work? (select all that apply) Skip this question if you live and work in the same location/region.
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| Commute by bus or train | 8 | 7.77% | 28.57% |
| Commute by private vehicle | 18 | 17.48% | 64.29% |
| Commute by plane (fly in/fly out) | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Telecommute | 5 | 4.85% | 17.86% |
| Live on the work site | 1 | 0.97% | 3.57% |
| Other... | 1 | 0.97% | 3.57% |
| Answered | 28 | 27.18% | |
| Unanswered | 75 | 72.82% | |
| Total | 103 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| Sometimes work from home | 1 |
2005 Survey of Australian Technical Communicators: |
| Total Responses: | 103 | |
| Survey End Date: | 15 October 2005 | |
| (M): | Mandatory question |
What is your highest level of education? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| High school certificate or similar | 5 | 4.95% |
| TAFE (or similar) diploma/certificate | 21 | 20.79% |
| Bachelor's degree | 45 | 44.55% |
| Master's degree | 11 | 10.89% |
| PhD | 5 | 4.95% |
| Other... | 14 | 13.86% |
| Total | 101 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| Graduate Diploma/Certificate | 8 |
| Master of Science in Statistics (M.Sc. Stats) | 1 |
| Honours and Graduate Certificate | 1 |
| Higher National Certificate (UK) | 1 |
| Bachelors degree and post-graduate diploma | 1 |
| Certificate in Writing, Editing and Publishing | 1 |
| Almost finished B Financial Administration and Grad Dip Mgt | 1 |
If you have a tertiary (university level) qualification, what field(s) is it in? (select all that apply)
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| Arts (English language major) | 10 | 9.90% | 12.82% |
| Arts (other major) | 16 | 15.84% | 20.51% |
| Commerce | 5 | 4.95% | 6.41% |
| Computer Science | 16 | 15.84% | 20.51% |
| Education | 8 | 7.92% | 10.26% |
| Engineering | 4 | 3.96% | 5.13% |
| Librarianship/Information Science | 4 | 3.96% | 5.13% |
| Management | 3 | 2.97% | 3.85% |
| Medicine, Pharmacy, Health Sciences | 1 | 0.99% | 1.28% |
| Technical Communication | 18 | 17.82% | 23.08% |
| Science (other majors) | 21 | 20.79% | 26.92% |
| Other... | 8 | 7.92% | 10.26% |
| Answered | 78 | 77.23% | |
| Unanswered | 23 | 22.77% | |
| Total | 101 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| Mathematics | 2 |
| See above | 1 |
| Journalism | 1 |
| Industrial Design | 1 |
| I have more than one degree | 1 |
| Environmental science | 1 |
| English Literature and History | 1 |
| Economics | 1 |
| Dramatic Art Technical Production | 1 |
| Cognitive Science | 1 |
What training did you do to become a technical communicator? (select all that apply) (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total | |
| Self-taught (no mentoring) | 60 | 59.41% | |
| On the job (informal mentoring) | 45 | 44.55% | |
| On the job (formal mentoring/training) | 33 | 32.67% | |
| Private tutoring/training | 3 | 2.97% | |
| Conferences, seminars, workshops | 49 | 48.51% | |
| Tertiary course | 22 | 21.78% | |
| Internet course | 4 | 3.96% | |
| Other... | 8 | 7.92% | |
| Total | 101 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| Technical Communication | 1 |
| Self taught, on the job | 1 |
| progression from editing and research roles, combined with an interest in technology | 1 |
| Peer reviewed documents from web sites | 1 |
| On the job, no mentoring formal or informal | 1 |
| Newbie | 1 |
| Information Mapping Training Course | 2 |
| Grad Cert - Technical Communication | 1 |
| books, listservs | 1 |
How do you keep up to date with changes in the technical communication field? (select all that apply) (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Information from professional associations (e.g. meetings, journals, discussion lists, bulletin boards, websites, conferences, etc.) | 85 | 84.16% |
| Information from other tech comm sources (e.g. forums for software tools that you use, etc.) | 65 | 64.36% |
| Information from other fields of expertise/interest (e.g. engineering, programming, etc.) | 41 | 40.59% |
| I don't bother trying to keep up to date | 7 | 6.93% |
| Other... | 5 | 4.95% |
| Total | 101 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| Research papers | 1 |
| read new books | 1 |
| Fellow Technical Communicators | 1 |
| books | 1 |
| Blogs, Internet surfing, Word of mouth | 1 |
| austechwriter digest users | 1 |
| attending courses | 1 |
Membership of professional associations related to technical communication (select all that apply) (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Currently a member of STC | 24 | 23.76% |
| Currently a member of ASTC (NSW or Vic) | 44 | 43.56% |
| Previously a member of STC | 7 | 6.93% |
| Previously a member of ASTC (NSW or Vic) | 13 | 12.87% |
| Member of other related organisation (e.g. editors, publishers, journalists) | 19 | 18.81% |
| Not a member of any professional association | 23 | 22.77% |
| Other... | 5 | 4.95% |
| Total | 101 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| TCANZ | 1 |
| Student member of ASTC NSW | 1 |
| SA Writer's Centre | 1 |
| Member of Australian Computer Society | 1 |
| International Association of Business Communicators | 1 |
| Corporate member of ASTC | 1 |
2005 Survey of Australian Technical Communicators: Responses to Work questions |
| Total Responses: | 103 | |
| Survey End Date: | 15 October 2005 | |
| (M): | Mandatory question |
How many years have you worked as a technical communicator? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Less than 2 years | 7 | 7.00% |
| 2 to 5 years | 20 | 20.00% |
| 6 to 10 years | 22 | 22.00% |
| 11 to 15 years | 29 | 29.00% |
| 16 to 20 years | 12 | 12.00% |
| more than 20 years | 10 | 10.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
What is your main job title? (select the one that most closely matches what you do) (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Content developer/manager | 3 | 3.00% |
| Documentation manager/specialist | 12 | 12.00% |
| Information developer/architect | 4 | 4.00% |
| Instructional designer | 1 | 1.00% |
| Online help developer | 1 | 1.00% |
| Technical editor | 3 | 3.00% |
| Technical writer | 60 | 60.00% |
| Usability specialist | 1 | 1.00% |
| Web designer | 1 | 1.00% |
| Other... | 14 | 14.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| Publishing manager | 1 |
| Product Information Specialist | 1 |
| Lecturer | 1 |
| IT Training & Support Analyst | 1 |
| Information Designer | 1 |
| I also freelance as an editor. | 1 |
| Electrical/elctronic service manager - computers, scientific instruments - various fields | 1 |
| documentation consultant | 1 |
| Documentation and Training Team Lead | 1 |
| Business Analyst | 1 |
Where do you do most of your technical communication work? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| On site (employer or client workplace) | 78 | 78.00% |
| From home or own office | 10 | 10.00% |
| Varies - both on site and from home/office | 12 | 12.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| Have previously written reports at work- am currently student full time | 1 |
How would you classify your level as a technical communicator? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Entry level (junior) tech communicator | 3 | 3.00% |
| Mid-level (non-supervisory) | 30 | 30.00% |
| Mid-level (supervisory) | 8 | 8.00% |
| Senior level (non-supervisory) | 35 | 35.00% |
| Senior level (supervisory) | 22 | 22.00% |
| Other... | 2 | 2.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| As a contractor the role varies; often its more as a consultant (work out the solution to the problem) and implementor (implement it). This can be supervisory or not, but I would say it was a senior role. | 1 |
What work activities do you spend more than 10% of your time on? (select all that apply) (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total | |
| Technical writing | 83 | 83.00% | |
| Technical/copy editing | 47 | 47.00% | |
| Indexing | 4 | 4.00% | |
| Training | 12 | 12.00% | |
| Documentation consulting | 33 | 33.00% | |
| Website/intranet management/development | 26 | 26.00% | |
| Management (project/team/people/change...) | 32 | 32.00% | |
| Quality assurance/testing | 15 | 15.00% | |
| Usability/accessibilty consulting/testing | 19 | 19.00% | |
| Sales/technical support | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Knowledge management | 18 | 18.00% | |
| Business analysis | 17 | 17.00% | |
| Graphic design | 13 | 13.00% | |
| Document/content management | 55 | 55.00% | |
| Document planning | 44 | 44.00% | |
| Other... | 8 | 8.00% | |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| XMetal typesetting | 1 |
| Student | 1 |
| Marketing Communications | 1 |
| IT Support | 1 |
| Education | 1 |
| editing | 1 |
| content modelling, content/publication auditing, tools analysis | 1 |
| Consultant in Program Management for communtiy groups | 1 |
| Business sales/Marketing - run own company | 1 |
What materials do you produce? (select all that apply) (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Paper-based documentation (incl. books, magazines, journal articles) | 74 | 74.00% |
| Online documentation | 56 | 56.00% |
| PDFs | 82 | 82.00% |
| HTML Help systems (*.CHM) | 43 | 43.00% |
| HTML-based Help systems (e.g. WebHelp) | 45 | 45.00% |
| WinHelp (*.HLP) | 16 | 16.00% |
| Web pages/sites (incl. intranet content) | 50 | 50.00% |
| Multimedia (incl. Flash, video/screen animations) | 13 | 13.00% |
| API documentation | 10 | 10.00% |
| Marketing materials | 26 | 26.00% |
| Policies and procedures | 41 | 41.00% |
| Proposals and tenders | 11 | 11.00% |
| Surveys | 4 | 4.00% |
| Specifications | 28 | 28.00% |
| Templates and forms | 46 | 46.00% |
| Training and educational materials (incl. e-learning) | 45 | 45.00% |
| User documentation | 87 | 87.00% |
| White papers and case studies | 7 | 7.00% |
| Analysis/research papers | 12 | 12.00% |
| Presentations | 25 | 25.00% |
| Other... | 3 | 3.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| PR | 1 |
| Mostly university related | 1 |
| Have only just started | 1 |
| business plans, project briefs, quality management plans | 1 |
Does your employer/client employ other technical communicators? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Yes | 62 | 62.00% |
| No, I am the only one ("lone writer") | 28 | 28.00% |
| I don't know | 10 | 10.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how many do they employ in addition to you? Skip this question if you are a "lone writer".
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| 1 | 12 | 12.00% | 18.46% |
| 2 to 5 | 18 | 18.00% | 27.69% |
| 6 to 10 | 10 | 10.00% | 15.38% |
| 10 to 20 | 7 | 7.00% | 10.77% |
| more than 20 | 5 | 5.00% | 7.69% |
| Varies | 2 | 2.00% | 3.08% |
| I'm not sure | 11 | 11.00% | 16.92% |
| Answered | 65 | 65.00% | |
| Unanswered | 35 | 35.00% | |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
How many people (in total) does your employer/main client employ? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Fewer than 50 | 21 | 21.00% |
| 51 to 100 | 14 | 14.00% |
| 101 to 500 | 23 | 23.00% |
| 501 to 1000 | 13 | 13.00% |
| 1001 or more | 29 | 29.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
In the past year, how many paid/billable hours did you work in a typical week? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| 10 or less | 4 | 4.00% |
| 11 to 20 hours | 4 | 4.00% |
| 21 to 30 hours | 8 | 8.00% |
| 31 to 40 hours | 60 | 60.00% |
| 41 to 50 hours | 23 | 23.00% |
| more than 50 hours | 1 | 1.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
In the past year, how many unpaid/non-billable hours did you work in a typical week? (M) (Only include hours worked in a technical communication capacity of some sort, such as volunteer tech comm or professional association work.)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| None | 39 | 39.00% |
| 1 to 10 | 46 | 46.00% |
| 11 to 20 hours | 11 | 11.00% |
| 21 to 30 hours | 1 | 1.00% |
| 31 to 40 hours | 2 | 2.00% |
| 41 to 50 hours | 0 | 0.00% |
| more than 50 hours | 1 | 1.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
How flexible are your work hours? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Not flexible at all | 3 | 3.00% |
| Some flexibility but I'd like more | 29 | 29.00% |
| About right for me | 38 | 38.00% |
| More than enough | 11 | 11.00% |
| Whatever I need | 19 | 19.00% |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
What changes to your working conditions have occurred in the past year? (select all that apply) (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total | |
| Made redundant/sacked | 6 | 6.00% | |
| Job offers/contract opportunities have increased | 34 | 34.00% | |
| Contract terminated/not renewed | 11 | 11.00% | |
| Salary/hourly rate has increased | 45 | 45.00% | |
| Increased workload due to staff cuts | 17 | 17.00% | |
| Extra staff have been added | 17 | 17.00% | |
| Projects cancelled or put on hold | 31 | 31.00% | |
| New projects have started | 49 | 49.00% | |
| Training and/or travel budget cuts | 8 | 8.00% | |
| Training and/or travel budget has increased | 4 | 4.00% | |
| Management responsibilities increased | 22 | 22.00% | |
| Management responsibilities decreased | 2 | 2.00% | |
| No (or less than normal) salary/hourly rate increase | 20 | 20.00% | |
| No changes | 7 | 7.00% | |
| Other... | 12 | 12.00% | |
| Total | 100 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| No great changes for me. Contract rates haven't moved in years. But this year has been relatively easy to get contracts. | 1 |
| Moved to North coast and started remote work | 1 |
| Moved to Australia | 1 |
| Moved from contract to permanent/good job offer | 1 |
| Increased workload due to new projects - no extra staff employed | 1 |
| I changed jobs/country | 1 |
| Found new job | 1 |
| Employment changed from contract to permanent staff | 1 |
| Contract period ended | 1 |
| Commenced with a new employer | 1 |
Which ANZSIC classification best describes the industry in which you work? (M)
[These are the ANZSIC categories from the ABS (we don't have any control over these categories; see http://www.arc.gov.au/apply_grants/anzsic_codes.htm for a complete list). Guide: Select "Property and Business Services" for "Scientific research", "Technical services", "Computer services", or "Marketing and business management services"; select "Manufacturing" for "Publishing"]
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Accommodation, cafes, restaurants | 0 | 0.00% |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 0 | 0.00% |
| Communication services | 12 | 12.37% |
| Construction | 1 | 1.03% |
| Cultural and recreational services | 0 | 0.00% |
| Education | 6 | 6.19% |
| Electricity, gas and water supply | 0 | 0.00% |
| Finance and insurance | 12 | 12.37% |
| Government administration and defence | 17 | 17.53% |
| Health and community services | 3 | 3.09% |
| Manufacturing | 9 | 9.28% |
| Mining | 6 | 6.19% |
| Personal and other services | 0 | 0.00% |
| Property and business services | 30 | 30.93% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 0.00% |
| Transport and storage | 1 | 1.03% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
2005 Survey of Australian Technical Communicators: Responses to remuneration questions |
| Total Responses: | 103 | |
| Survey End Date: | 15 October 2005 | |
| (M): | Mandatory question |
How satisfied are you with your current salary or hourly rate? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Very satisfied | 12 | 12.37% |
| Satisfied | 58 | 59.79% |
| Dissatisfied | 24 | 24.74% |
| Very dissatisfied | 3 | 3.09% |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
Which best describes your current employment status in the field of technical communication? (M)
| Answer | Number | % of Total |
| Full time employee | 51 | 52.58% |
| Part time employee | 5 | 5.15% |
| Contractor / Consultant / Freelance / Self-employed | 37 | 38.14% |
| Student | 1 | 1.03% |
| Not currently employed in the tech comm field | 3 | 3.09% |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
EMPLOYEES ONLY: What was your gross salary in the previous 12 months? (Contractors: Skip this question; go to the CONTRACTORS ONLY questions)
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| Less than $30,000 | 1 | 1.03% | 1.72% |
| $30,001 to $40,000 | 1 | 1.03% | 1.72% |
| $40,001 to $50,000 | 10 | 10.31% | 17.24% |
| $50,001 to $60,000 | 12 | 12.37% | 20.69% |
| $60,001 to $70,000 | 15 | 15.46% | 25.86% |
| $70,001 to $80,000 | 10 | 10.31% | 17.24% |
| $80,001 to $90,000 | 5 | 5.15% | 8.62% |
| $90,001 to $100,000 | 4 | 4.12% | 6.90% |
| more than $100,000 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Answered | 58 | 59.79% | |
| Unanswered | 39 | 40.21% | |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
CONTRACTORS ONLY: What hourly rate (in Australian dollars, excluding GST) do you charge?
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| $30 or less per hour | 4 | 4.12% | 9.76% |
| $30 to $35 | 1 | 1.03% | 2.44% |
| $36 to $40 | 1 | 1.03% | 2.44% |
| $41 to $45 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| $46 to $50 | 9 | 9.28% | 21.95% |
| $51 to $55 | 5 | 5.15% | 12.20% |
| $56 to $60 | 7 | 7.22% | 17.07% |
| $61 to $65 | 5 | 5.15% | 12.20% |
| $66 to $70 | 4 | 4.12% | 9.76% |
| $71 to $75 | 1 | 1.03% | 2.44% |
| $76 to $80 | 1 | 1.03% | 2.44% |
| $81 to $85 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| $86 to $90 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| $91 to $95 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| $96 to $100 | 1 | 1.03% | 2.44% |
| more than $100 per hour | 2 | 2.06% | 4.88% |
| Answered | 41 | 42.27% | |
| Unanswered | 56 | 57.73% | |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
CONTRACTORS ONLY: How do you charge for your work?
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| Fixed price contracts | 1 | 1.03% | 2.50% |
| Hourly or daily rate | 29 | 29.90% | 72.50% |
| Varies - both fixed price and hourly/daily rate | 10 | 10.31% | 25.00% |
| Answered | 40 | 41.24% | |
| Unanswered | 57 | 58.76% | |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
CONTRACTORS ONLY: How do you get new clients?
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| Through an agency or other company | 24 | 24.74% | 60.00% |
| Find my own work | 25 | 25.77% | 62.50% |
| Referrals from past clients, colleagues, etc. | 25 | 25.77% | 62.50% |
| Other... | 1 | 1.03% | 2.50% |
| Answered | 40 | 41.24% | |
| Unanswered | 57 | 58.76% | |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
(if "Other...", please specify)
| Answer | Number |
| old bosses seek me out | 1 |
CONTRACTORS ONLY: On average, how many concurrent clients do you work for?
| Answer | Number | % of Total | % of Answered |
| 1 | 24 | 24.74% | 60.00% |
| 2 to 5 | 14 | 14.43% | 35.00% |
| 6 to 10 | 2 | 2.06% | 5.00% |
| more than 10 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Answered | 40 | 41.24% | |
| Unanswered | 57 | 58.76% | |
| Total | 97 | 100.00% |
2005 Survey of Australian Technical Communicators: Some Data Correlations |
|
Notes:
|
Gender/Age
| 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60+ | Total | |
| Female | 5 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 50 |
| Male | 2 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 4 | 53 |
| Total | 7 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 7 | 103 |
Age/Experience
| < 2 yrs | 2 to 5 yrs | 6 to 10 yrs | 11 to 15 yrs | 16 to 20 yrs | > 20 yrs | Total | |
| 20-29 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |||
| 30-39 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 28 | ||
| 40-49 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 28 |
| 50-59 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 31 | |
| 60+ | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 | |||
| Total | 7 | 20 | 22 | 29 | 12 | 10 | 100 |
Gender/education
| HSC | TAFE | Bach. | Mast. | PhD | Other... | Total | |
| Female | 3 | 8 | 24 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 50 |
| Male | 2 | 13 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 51 |
| Total | 5 | 21 | 45 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 101 |
Age/education
| HSC | TAFE | Bach. | Mast. | PhD | Other... | Total | |
| 20-29 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |||
| 30-39 | 6 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 28 | |
| 40-49 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 29 |
| 50-59 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 31 |
| 60+ | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Total | 5 | 21 | 45 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 101 |
Employees: Gender/Salary
| < $30K | $30-40K | $40-50K | $50-60K | $60-70K | $70-80K | $80-90K | $90-100K | Total | |
| Female | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 32 | |
| Male | 1 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 26 | ||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 58 |
Employees: Age/Salary
| < $30K | $30-40K | $40-50K | $50-60K | $60-70K | $70-80K | $80-90K | $90-100K | Total | |
| 20-29 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | |||||
| 30-39 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 18 | ||
| 40-49 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 17 | ||
| 50-59 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 60+ | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 58 |
Employees: Experience/Salary
| < $30K | $30-40K | $40-50K | $50-60K | $60-70K | $70-80K | $80-90K | $90-100K | Total | |
| < 2 yrs | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |||||
| 2-5 yrs | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 12 | ||||
| 6-10 yrs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| 11-15 yrs | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 13 | |||
| 16-20 yrs | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | |||
| > 20 yrs | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |||||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 58 |
Employees: Education/Salary
| < $30K | $30-40K | $40-50K | $50-60K | $60-70K | $70-80K | $80-90K | $90-100K | Total | |
| HSC | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||
| TAFE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 13 | |
| Bach. | 7 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 26 | ||
| Mast. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | |||
| PhD | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| Other... | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | |||||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 58 |
Employees: Location/Salary
| < $30K | $30-40K | $40-50K | $50-60K | $60-70K | $70-80K | $80-90K | $90-100K | Total | |
| ACT | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| NSW (Syd) | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | ||
| NT (Dar) | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| NT (reg) | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Qld (Bris) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |||||
| Qld (reg) | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| SA (Adel) | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Vic (Melb) | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 22 | ||
| Vic (reg) | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| WA (Pth) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||
| Other | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 58 |
Contractors: Gender/Hourly rate
| <$30 | $30-$35 | $36-$40 | $46-$50 | $51-$55 | $56-$60 | $61-$65 | $66-$70 | $71-$75 | $76-$80 | $96-$100 | >$100 | Total | |
| Female | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18 | |||
| Male | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 23 | |||
| Total | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 41 |
Contractors: Age/Hourly rate
| <$30 | $30-$35 | $36-$40 | $46-$50 | $51-$55 | $56-$60 | $61-$65 | $66-$70 | $71-$75 | $76-$80 | $96-$100 | >$100 | Total | |
| 20-29 | |||||||||||||
| 30-39 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | |||||
| 40-49 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | ||||
| 50-59 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 | |||||
| 60+ | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
| Total | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 41 |
Contractors: Experience (yrs)/Hourly rate
| <$30 | $30-$35 | $36-$40 | $46-$50 | $51-$55 | $56-$60 | $61-$65 | $66-$70 | $71-$75 | $76-$80 | $96-$100 | >$100 | Total | |
| <2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
| 2-5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6-10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||
| 11-15 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15 | ||||||
| 16-20 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
| >20 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||
| Total | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 41 |
Contractors: Education/Hourly rate
| <$30 | $30-$35 | $36-$40 | $46-$50 | $51-$55 | $56-$60 | $61-$65 | $66-$70 | $71-$75 | $76-$80 | $96-$100 | >$100 | Total | |
| HSC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
| TAFE | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | |||||||
| Bach. | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | |||
| Mast. | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||
| PhD | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Other | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||
| Total | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 41 |
Contractors: Location/Hourly rate
| <$30 | $30-$35 | $36-$40 | $46-$50 | $51-$55 | $56-$60 | $61-$65 | $66-$70 | $71-$75 | $76-$80 | $96-$100 | >$100 | Total | |
| ACT | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||
| NSW (reg) | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| NSW (Syd) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | ||||||||
| Qld (Bris) | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Qld (reg) | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| SA (Adel) | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Tas (reg) | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Vic (Melb) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||||
| Vic (reg) | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| WA (Pth) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||
| Other | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Total | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 41 |
2005 Survey of Australian Technical Communicators: Some Comments |
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Respondents were given the opportunity to add further comments and/or suggestions for future survey questions. Here are the comments received: Any further comments?
Are there any questions you would like to see included in future surveys?
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