How to become a Sales Assistant

Official title: Sales Assistant (General)

Also called: Retail Sales Assistant

Sells goods and services such as food, clothing, hardware, household appliances, office supplies and cosmetics, in a retail or wholesale establishment.

Main tasks

• Greets and assists customers in selecting and purchasing goods and services
• Provides information and advice on products to customers
• Processes sales transactions and handles payments, including the use of point of sale software
• Replenishes and maintains stock levels
• Handles customer enquiries, complaints and returns
• Upsells products and services
• Maintains a clean and tidy sales area

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Community Pharmacy (SIR20116); Certificate II in Retail Services (SIR20216); Certificate III in Automotive Administration (AUR30116); Certificate III in Automotive Sales (AUR31020); Certificate III in Interior Decoration Retail Services (MSF31018); Certificate III in Retail (SIR30216); Certificate III in Rural Merchandising (AHC32724); Certificate II in Automotive Sales (AUR21120)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $64,532 a year
• About 569,400 people work in this job group now, and about 609,200 are projected by 2035. (+7%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter
• Community Pharmacy Sales Assistant
• ICT Sales Assistant
• Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson
• Retail Supervisor
• Service Station Attendant

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Sales Assistant?

Ways in include: Certificate II in Community Pharmacy; Certificate II in Retail Services.

How much does a Sales Assistant earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $64,532 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Sales Assistant a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 569,400 to about 609,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Sales Assistant?

Usually not. Only 12% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Community Pharmacy; Certificate II in Retail Services.

Will AI change the work of a Sales Assistant?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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