Retail Manager (General)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$83,900
Full-time annual
People employed
183,500
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Organises and controls the operations of a general retail trading establishment.
Alternative titles
Retail Store Manager · Shop Manager
Specialisations
Scope note: Community Pharmacists and fast food managers are excluded from this occupation. Community Pharmacists are included in Occupation 263431 Community Pharmacist. Fast food managers are included in the Occupation 161231 Cafe or Restaurant Manager.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Manages the daily operations of retail establishments
- Manages and supervises staff, including hiring, rostering, training and performance evaluation
- Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations
- Monitors and analyses sales and financial data
- Manages retail establishment finances, including budgeting and financial reporting
- Develops and maintains relationships with suppliers, and negotiates contracts and pricing
- Implements marketing and promotional activities to attract and retain customers
- Resolves customer complaints and ensures high levels of customer satisfaction
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
26%
Female rate
50%
Median age
41
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+2%
5,058 projected jobs
to 2035
+7%
16,980 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 2
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Retail Leadership
Occupation ready
Diploma of Retail Merchandise Management
Occupation ready
Certificate I in Retail Services
Pre-vocational
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Banking Services Management
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Interior Decoration Retail Services
Progression pathway
Diploma of Salon Management
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Retail Services
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Retail
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Retail Management
Progression pathway
Diploma of Visual Merchandising
Progression pathway
Diploma of Leadership and Management
Specialised training
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
831
ACT · May 2026
80
VIC · May 2026
897
NT · May 2026
35
SA · May 2026
249
NSW · May 2026
1,147
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Retail Manager (General).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - South East
9,670 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - South East
9,670 employed
VIC
-0.46%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
8,386 employed
VIC
+1.69%
year on year
- 3
Gold Coast
7,897 employed
QLD
-0.83%
year on year
- 4
Perth - North West
7,208 employed
WA
+10.45%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - Inner
5,839 employed
VIC
-0.9%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
108,815
Moved in from another occupation
17,720
Moved to another occupation
15,430
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
2
points
- 5
2
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 162131
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.