Student Jobs at Coles

Coles Job Application for Students

Two stores, Coles and Woolworths, dominate the supermarket game in Australia, accounting for about 80% of the market share. Founded in 1914, Coles is the (slightly) more established of the two.

Coles focuses on groceries, but also sells a number of other department store and newsagency type items. Along with large, centrally located supermarkets, the company also has ‘Coles Express’ convenience stores and branded petrol stations.

Coles employer info

• Size: Australia’s second-largest supermarket chain ($38 billion turnover in 2019.)
• Number of locations: 1502 shopfronts (807 supermarkets and 695 Coles Express stores and branded petrol stations.)
• Number of employees: ~112,000.

What casual positions do Coles offer?

1. Checkout Operator

As one of the only customer-facing supermarket roles, a Coles checkout operator is essentially the face of the brand, and should be warm, friendly and knowledgeable. Responsibilities include dealing with cash and card transactions, understanding rules relating to age-restricted goods, and enforcing them when needed. As an entry-level position no experience is required, but an ability to learn quickly is valuable.

2. Nightfill Worker

Working after the shop doors have closed, nightfill workers clean, organise and restock the shelves ready for the next day. No experience is necessary for this entry-level position, but you’ll need to be happy working late, and with all the standing and crouching you should be physically fit.

3. Baker’s Assistant

This delicious role covers two distinct tasks; baking fresh goods and serving customers. This can be one for the early risers, as morning baking ensures customers get the freshest and tastiest products possible. Meanwhile responsibilities behind the counter include serving customers, restocking, and adhering to food safety rules.

4. Cleaner and Trolley Collector

Sometimes two distinct roles, but more often combined, this team member will be tasked with working through a checklist of cleaning tasks in and around the store, as well as collecting trolleys in the surrounding area. No experience is required, but an eye for detail is a valuable trait.

5. Online Delivery Driver

Coles drivers are tasked with delivering orders by van to the homes of online shoppers. A heavy vehicle licence isn’t necessary to drive the vans, although such a licence does help to prove that you’re comfortable handling large vehicles. A good driving record is a must. Shifts are generally 5am–1pm and 1pm–9pm.

6. Petrol Station Attendant

Due to the small size of the stores Coles Express workers enjoy a broader range of responsibilities than their supermarket colleagues. While no experience is necessary, an attendant will be tasked with dealing with customers, handling cash, restocking, promoting specials and ensuring the safety of staff and customers.

How do I get a job at Coles?

Coles prefers to use its own careers site, Coles Careers, to advertise open roles. Here you can search by a number of filters to find an up-to-date collection of opportunities.

Supermarkets are busy all year round, so there’s generally not a period of peak hiring. That said, students make up a large chunk of the Coles workforce, which can result in the demand for jobs rising slightly when a school year begins, or when a uni year ends and international students leave.

With well over 100,000 team members, Coles always has positions that it’s looking to fill.

What is the average pay for a Coles casual worker?

According to PayScale, the average hourly pay at Coles across all roles is $22.66 an hour.

Coles generally pays according to the award, a rate regulated by the government that fluctuates depending on a worker’s age, role and working hours. As of June 2020 the award rate for a 15-year-old checkout operator was $12.04 per hour, while a 21-year-old baker’s assistant would earn $26.76. You can find out the award rate of a specific job using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator.

The perks of working at Coles

Depending on the store and role, Coles offers its team members a number of employee benefits, including:

1. Shift and working hour flexibility
2. A mycoles card for discounts at Coles, Liquorland, Kmart, Officeworks and Target
3. Deals and discounts on health, finance, telecommunications and leisure products

How old do you have to be to work at Coles?

Generally, Coles will employ staff from the age of 15. However, check with the official Coles website for their latest employment guidelines and hiring age.