Instrument fitters assemble and install precise instruments that measure,
indicate, transmit, record and control.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Instrument Fitter earn an average of $1026 per week. The
[average annual salary for this job is $53352 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
enjoy practical and manual activities
good eyesight (may be corrected) and normal colour vision
able to do precise and detailed work
aptitude for technical activities.
This job also involves:
Full use of hands/fingers
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements
are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination
or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to
undertake.
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Skilled Trade Jobs
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however
further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job
training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Mathematics
School subjects that include some aspect of MATHEMATICS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a mathematics-related subject is a
pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Physics
School subjects that include some aspect of PHYSICS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a physics-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of an Instrument Fitter
Instrument fitters may perform the following tasks:
fit and assemble instrument parts such as circuit boards, power supplies and control units, springs, bearings, lenses and glass faces
check instruments for accuracy and calibrate (to manufacturers’ specifications), using standard weights and measures; pneumatic, electrical and electronic test equipment; and small hand tools
install industrial instruments and equipment such as control panels, sensors, transmitters and controllers, meters and fixed cameras (if an appropriate licence is held)
dismantle and re-assemble delicate mechanisms or electronic circuits
overhaul instrument systems and repair or replace faulty parts using power tools and small hand tools
check performance using testing and measuring instruments and make necessary adjustments
set up computers and control equipment
connect computers to control systems and check the operation of these systems.
Specialisations
Instrument fitters may specialise as camera repairers, scale adjusters or
surgical instrument makers. Experienced instrument fitters may work with
scientists to design, manufacture or modify laboratory equipment.