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Vending Machine Servicer



Fact Sheet

Preparing a vending machine

Preparing a vending machine

Vending machine servicers maintain and repair machines that dispense goods such as drinks, confectionery, cigarettes, postage stamps and tickets.

Duties and Tasks

Vending machine servicers may perform the following tasks:

  • fill vending machines with products, including drinks, food and cigarettes
  • study product manuals or specifications to keep up to date with new technologies and be familiar with individual vending machines
  • perform routine maintenance to keep vending machines in good working condition by regularly oiling moving parts, replacing worn components and keeping essential parts clean
  • perform breakdown maintenance on call-out when a vending machine fails
  • determine machine problems by talking to customers to find out the nature of the faults and examining the vending machine to find causes
  • repair or replace damaged parts, including refrigeration components and worn bearings and cogs, by soldering cracked or broken housings and replacing broken or faulty parts, then reassembling the machine to test that it works
  • clear money from machines, account for money collected and check monitoring systems
  • arrange for removal and replacement of vending machines that cannot be repaired on site and have these removed for major repairs or replaced by new machines.

Quick Facts

Learning Area
School subjects that include some aspect of INDUSTRIAL ARTS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an industrial arts-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Work Demands
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake.

These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.

These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Work Fields
Metal, Electrical and Automotive
Included are jobs involved in metal fitting and machining, forging, sheetmetal work, metal casting and finishing and other metal tradespersons, jobs in the electrical and electronics fields, such as fitting, appliance servicing, refrigeration and airconditioning, electrical mechanics, communications equipment, and jobs in the automotive industry.
Work Interests
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
Skill Levels
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.

These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.

Work Conditions

Vending machine servicers may work indoors or outdoors, but they usually work under cover. They will often be mobile and in a different location each day in response to breakdown requests, or to perform on-site maintenance. They may also work in a workshop performing maintenance and/or repairs on vending machines that have either broken down or been returned from on-site lease. With the increasing complexity of vending machine technologies, an understanding of electrical, electronic and computer hardware/software systems is often required.

Personal Requirements

  • problem solving-skills
  • enjoy practical and manual work
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • aptitude for electronics
  • mechanical aptitude.

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Stocking a vending machine for a shopping mall

Stocking a vending machine for a shopping mall
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