How to Become an Office Administrator in NZ: Salary, Job Description, and What to Expect
Candlefox
Office administrators are essential members of any well-run business. With flexible work opportunities and no formal entry requirements, office administration is perfect for anyone looking for a stable career path.
An office administrator executes and oversees most (if not all) administrative functions within a business. They often work across departments and are generally “in the know”, ensuring the smooth running of all daily business operations.
Depending on the size of the business you choose to work for, you may work solo or within a larger administration team. Working within a team will see you supervise junior employees while working predominantly within office support of upper management coordination. Working solo, however, will see you take on all administrative support responsibilities, albeit on a smaller scale.
In this role, you will generally work standard business hours of 9-5 pm, Monday – Friday, within an office environment. However, there are many part-time opportunities and evening or weekend work if you need more flexibility.
Responsibilities and skills
Office administrators need a broad range of skills to fulfil all office management responsibilities properly. The core responsibilities of any office administrator include:
- Organising files and report documents
- Organise and schedule all correspondence
- Answering and scheduling emails and phone calls
- Conducting research and collating information for reports
- Scheduling and organisational duties (incl. internal and external meetings)
- Managing the office’s calendar and core materials (like office supplies)
- Arranging any travel or event plans
- Basic bookkeeping, payroll and spreadsheet maintenance
Effective administration is essential to any well-run business, so office administrators must have a diverse and robust skillset to support their work. Some critical skills include:
- Time management
- Organisation
- Ability to prioritise
- Computer literacy (Excel, Microsoft Office suite, email)
- Communication skills
- Phone and email etiquette
- Basic accounting and bookkeeping (MYOB and Xero)
- Data entry
How to become an office administrator in New Zealand
Although there are no formal qualifications required to land an office administrator job, you can do some essential things to develop the right skills and boost your employability.
1. Complete a business administration Certificate or Diploma
Choosing to study a formal business administration qualification will provide you with the right skills to tackle a more senior administrative role with confidence. This type of course can also prepare you for similar roles within business administration, such as a receptionist. Alternatively, if working from home is attractive to your lifestyle, becoming a virtual assistant is also a possible career pathway.
With most courses offered online, completing a qualification doesn’t have to disrupt your daily life. Instead, with constant access to course materials and self-paced learning, your course becomes customisable to fit your prior responsibilities and commitments.
Most courses can be as short as four weeks of full-time learning, or you can choose to study part-time for up to 18 months.
2. Become a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals New Zealand (AAPNZ)
AAPNZ offers multiple professional development opportunities that can support steady career progression for office administrators.
Office administrator salaries
A typical salary progression for an office administrator is:
1 TO 3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
$42K – $55K
OVER 3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
$45K – $75K
Office administrator versus office assistant
Office assistants and office administrators are often mistaken for one another. It’s important to understand the difference between the two, so you can gauge which role suits your career goals best.
What to expect in this career
Office administration can look very different depending on who you work for and in what industry. However, core career qualities remain consistent no matter the environment you choose to pursue work.
Positives
- Good skills development
- Learning opportunities
- Social
- Flexible
Challenges
- A high volume of responsibilities and tasks
- Organisation is critical
- You must be proactive
Stepping into an administrator role doesn’t need to be tough or complicated. With the right attitude and core skills, you can be on your way to the flexible but stable new job you’ve been looking for. To take the next step, enquire about office administrator courses in New Zealand now.
Browse Results
Diploma in Management & Team Leadership
Show you’re management material. Get an accredited Diploma in Management to prove your competency! While many managers are promoted because of their excellent personal performance, this change in role requires the development of new skills to ach…
Administration Pathway Program – Business Administration
Give your admin career a real boost. It’s one of the most highly awarded Administration courses that you could take. This program is for those working in or seeking a Business Administration role. You’ll complete the Certificate in Business Administrat…
Introduction to Bookkeeping
Ready, set, learn! Understand bookkeeping basics 101, like the types and structures of businesses, what external factors may influence a business, how to calculate GST, and how to use financial statements to understand and convey your position. Become…
Bookkeeping Business Pathway
Launch your bookkeeping business with the option to freelance, subcontract or start your own bookkeeping business. Complete our Certificate in Bookkeeping and then our Start your Own Business Program….
Certificate in Personnel Management and Human Resources
Use Your Exceptional People Skills To Upgrade Your Life People who know people are a special breed. If you are looking for HR courses for working professionals or human resources distance learning opportunities, The Career Academy offers a comprehensiv…
Certificate in Project Management
Learn how to execute projects from end to end Project management is a critical function of any organisation. Delays not only cause frustration, they cost valuable time and money. Therefore, a good project manager is critical to the running of any compa…
Certificate in Dog & Pet Grooming
Discover what it takes to enter the pet & dog grooming industry Begin our dog grooming courses for pet owners and learn about the business of grooming, how to care for the coat and skin of domestic pets, and what tasks are involved when providing a…
Certificate in Digital Marketing
Discover smart ways to get noticed Explore the nature and scope of online digital marketing with a digital marketing course that covers strategic website design, the psychology of online marketing, how to convert the customers you capture, and differen…
Hospitality & Tourism Diploma
Take a trip to your true potential Including the Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management, this Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism is a launchpad for a career in an exciting industry. Explore the option of working as a travel agent, bartende…
Diploma in Dog Grooming
Learn about professional dog grooming techniques This online dog grooming course comprises two certificates covering dog and pet grooming – and caring for dogs. Learn what equipment you might need to handle animals during grooming, various grooming tec…
Business Administration Diploma
Take the next step towards a management role! Whether you’re looking to hone your skills, or to progress to a more senior role, our accredited online course will teach you everything you need to know to advance your administration career. You’ll learn…
Certificate in Reception & Office Support
From the front desk to the world Turn office support into an art form. Reception & office support roles play a pivotal role in the running of many businesses. This Certificate in Reception & Office Support ticks all the boxes for putting your b…
Diploma in Child & Youth Counselling
How to change people’s lives for the better. This is a course where you can make a world of difference for children and young people. It’s a fascinating and highly detailed course where you’ll learn about theories of childhood development that include…
Certificate in Accounting
This is a course that ticks all the boxes. The Career Academy Certificate in Accounting will provide you with all the necessary skills to work in an accounting environment. There’s no prior experience needed to do the course. And once you finish, you’l…
Accounting Pathway Program
Become a Qualified Accounting Technician and member of AAT! Fast track your accounting career with The Career Academy. This Program is unique to The Career Academy and specifically designed for those working or who have worked in an entry through to in…
Psychology & Counselling Diploma
Understand the human mind and the counselling process with this internationally recognised qualification. You’ll learn the theory behind the skills and techniques used to successfully help people work through their problems and issues with counselling….
Certificate in Bookkeeping
Learn to balance the books with our accredited course. You’ll be able to prepare GST returns, liaise with the Inland Revenue on behalf of a taxpayer and keep business accounts, as well as learning to analyse and interpret a profit and loss statem…
Certificate in Business Administration
Get that job or promotion with this certificate which is supported by the AdmiNZ. This online course will help you gain practical skills to prepare you for an administration role. The course will give you the immediate knowledge to work confidently in…
Accounts Administration & Payroll Certificate plus Xero and MYOB
Up your practical knowledge and stand out from the crowd with our intermediate online course. You’ll gain skills in accounting, GST, Xero, payroll, Microsoft Excel and much more….
Accounting Diploma
Once you qualify, your job prospects will soar. If you’re eager to enhance your accounting skills, and pursue a career in accounting, finance or business, then this course is a must. It’s an advanced qualification that builds on the practical accountin…
