Industry OverviewWholesaling covers a broad range of areas which involve the bulk purchase and on-selling of goods to retailers; industrial, commercial, institutional or other professional business users; or other wholesalers and related services. In general terms, it is the sale of goods to anyone other than a standard consumer.
Wholesaling sectors include basic material wholesaling; machinery and equipment wholesaling; motor vehicle parts wholesaling; grocery, liquor and tobacco product wholesaling; other goods wholesaling and commission-based wholesale. Regardless of whether the wholesaler has an adjoining warehouse or sources goods on behalf of clients, the service provided by wholesalers is a unique combination of maintaining good customer relations and catering to business needs. |
Licensing RequirementsLicensing in Wholesale applies only to the sale of restricted products such as Tobacco, Alcohol and Medicine/Poison. Additionally, a licence is also required to operate a forklift.
In order to operate a forklift, participants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a national licence issued by Worksafe. If the forklift is to be driven on a main road, the driver must also hold a valid class C licence. |
Occupations / Skills in DemandDue to the invisibility of the Wholesale industry, there is an insufficient amount of career information available to attract people to this industry. This is due to the sector traditionally operating from a ‘behind the scenes’ capacity and not dealing directly with customers. The following position has been identified as being in demand:
Follow our links for the Where will the Transport & Logistics Industries Take You or the Supply Chain Careers Pathway Booklets for further details on these occupations and how you can begin a career in this sector. If you have queries regarding specific occupations or if you feel an occupation in your industry in not on the State Priority Occupation List (SPOL) please contact us. Training Councils are the first point of contact for feedback regarding this list. |
Wholesale Industry Profile
The LDSC also provides strategic advice to industry, government and other key stakeholders on workforce development issues such as occupational priorities or shortages per industry area, training or upskilling requirements and other industry intelligence of factors influencing skilling needs within Western Australia. To access these, please click on the links below:
For historic information contact us
Retail Training PackageSkillsIQ is the Skills Service Organisations (SSO) with responsibility for the Retail Training Package, which includes Wholesale qualifications. In addition, you can also follow the links on their website to find more information regarding their Wholesale Industry Skills Forecasts released annually or to find out how you can be involved in the Wholesale and Retail Industry Reference Committee (IRC).
To ensure feedback from WA stakeholders has been included, the LDSC regularly provides advice and recommendations to SkillsIQ on the development of Training Package materials as well as the development of the Skills Forecasts. Please contact the LDSC if you would like to provide feedback or be involved in these consultations. |
How Can I Begin a Career in Wholesale?Visit the Wholesale Industry Profile section, above, for more information on the careers and skills in demand within this sector. You can also visit the Information for Students/Career Seekers section of our website for useful links.
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