Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers

How to become a Radio Dispatcher

Also called: Communications Controller, Control Room Operator

Provides radio and communications services for the coordination of operational units in transport, courier, emergency, security, rescue and road service organisations.

Main tasks

Receives and relays radio or telecommunications messages from operational units, customers or the public
Coordinates communications between operational units
Records critical information from emergency, routine and administrative calls
Relays information to enable appropriate resources and personnel to be deployed
Maintains communication and provides guidance to callers during emergency situations

Ways in

TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Ambulance Communications (Call-taking) (HLT31020); Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue (RII30719); Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Operations) (PUA30519); Certificate IV in Ambulance Communications (Dispatch) (HLT41020); Certificate IV in Emergency Response Coordination (RII41319); Certificate IV in Public Safety (Emergency Communications Centre Operations) (PUA40119); Certificate IV in Traffic Control Room Operations (TLI40521); Certificate III in Public Safety (Emergency Communications Centre Operations) (PUA30822)
Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $82,680 a year
About 21,900 people work in this job group now, and about 24,200 are projected by 2035. (+10.6%)
Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Radio Dispatcher?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Ambulance Communications (Call-taking); Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue.

How much does a Radio Dispatcher earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $82,680 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Radio Dispatcher a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 21,900 to about 24,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Radio Dispatcher?

Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Ambulance Communications (Call-taking); Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue.

Will AI change the work of a Radio Dispatcher?

Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Sources

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04