Retail Courses

Retail trade is Australia’s second-biggest employer, with 1.34 million people working in stores, warehouses and online shops (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026). The sector covers supermarkets, pharmacies, clothing shops, hardware stores and electronics retailers, and it reaches nearly every community in the country. Supermarkets and grocery stores make up the biggest slice of the industry, employing around 321,000 workers on their own.

The retail workforce skews young, with a median age of 33, and about half of all staff work part-time. This flexibility suits students, parents and career changers who need to fit paid work around study or other commitments. Women hold 55% of retail jobs. The sector offers a genuine mix of entry-level and leadership roles, from checkout work through to store and area management.

Pay reflects the range of jobs on offer. Under the Retail Award, a Level 1 worker earns a base rate of $27.81 an hour, while retail managers typically earn between $58,000 and $92,000 a year, depending on store size and experience (Glassdoor, 2026). A Certificate IV in Leadership and Management can help staff move from the shop floor into supervisor and manager roles.

Online shopping keeps reshaping the sector, pushing demand for staff who understand stock systems, online sales platforms and data-led customer service. Retail is a practical way to build commercial skills that carry across into other fields. Many staff go on to work in logistics, marketing or business management later in their careers.

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