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Retail Buyer

Retail Buyer
ANZSCO Code: 639211 / Group C

A Retail Buyer selects and buys goods for resale in a retail establishment.

Occupation description

A Retail Buyer selects and buys goods for resale in a retail establishment.

Occupations considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:

  • Merchandise Planner

Occupations not considered under this ANZSCO code:

  • Marketing Specialist
  • Store Manager
  • Retail Manager
  • Sales Support Workers

These occupations are classified elsewhere in ANZSCO or are not at the required skill level.

Retail Buyer is a VETASSESS Group C occupation

This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or higher.

Applicants must have fulfilled at least one of the following four criteria (1–4):

Group C - December 2025

Description of Pathways 

The information below describes the available pathways for a Skills Assessment under Group C. Please note that in order to achieve a successful Skills Assessment Outcome, a suitable assessment for both qualifications and employment is required.

Pathway 1 

This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or higher and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation. 

Diploma or higher includes AQF Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree or Doctoral Degree.

In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:

  • at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
  • working 20 hours or more per week, and
  • highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

Pathway 2

This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or higher and in a field not highly relevant to the nominated occupation. 

Diploma or higher includes AQF Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree or Doctoral Degree.

An additional qualification in a highly relevant field of study at a minimum AQF Certificate IV level is required. Additional qualifications in a highly relevant field of study include those comparable to the AQF Certificate IV. 

In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:

  • at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
  • working 20 hours or more per week, and
  • highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

Pathway 3

This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or higher and in a field not highly relevant to the nominated occupation. 

Diploma or higher includes AQF Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree or Doctoral Degree.

In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:

  • at least two years of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
  • working 20 hours or more per week, and
  • highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

Pathway 4

This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or higher with or without a highly relevant major field of study to the nominated occupation.

Diploma or higher includes AQF Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree or Doctoral Degree.

In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:

  • at least four years of employment at an appropriate skill level that includes at least one year of highly relevant employment within the last five years before applying,
  • working 20 hours or more per week, and
  • highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

Qualification and Employment Criteria

AQF Diploma or higher qualification*

*This includes qualifications assessed at AQF Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level.

Highly relevant major fields of study include:

  • Merchandise Planning
  • Marketing
  • Retail Management

 

Employment

Highly relevant tasks include:

  • monitoring sales data and stock levels, and studying trade, manufacturers’ and market information to keep informed of changing market conditions.
  • negotiating purchase, promotion and supply arrangements with suppliers.
  • designing and implementing pricing, marketing, promotional and display strategies.
  • liaising with management on long-term planning and sales promotions.
  • establishing working plans according to seasonal and budgetary requirements.
  • anticipating consumer trends and determining quantity, style and quality of goods to be purchased.

Employment information

Retail Buyers purchase goods to be sold in retail stores. They may purchase goods locally, interstate or overseas. In large department stores, Buyers may specialise in certain types of merchandise (textiles, fashion, hardware or toys, for example). In small businesses, owners normally do their own retail buying after consultation with their staff.

A positive skills assessment for Retail Buyer requires a dedicated retail buying role.

Get Support

Help with a Skills Assessment

Skills Assessment Support (SAS) services are for migration agents, legal practitioners and prospective applicants who are yet to submit their Skills Assessment application to VETASSESS.

Help with an urgent application

For general and professional occupations, priority processing can be used to fast-track urgent applications

How to apply

If you're a professional choosing to migrate to Australia, chances are you're likely to be assessed by us. We assess 361 different professional occupations, assessing your skills, experience and qualifications.

1

Find

Find the VETASSESS occupation that most closely fits your skills and experience. 

2

Match

Match your skills and experience to your chosen occupation.

3

Prepare

Get ready to apply by preparing all the information and documents you need. 

4

Apply

Apply online when you’re ready. If you’re still unsure, skills assessment support is available when you need it.

Start your online application