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Career pathway

Plasterers

ANZSCO 3332

Employed

31,600

Part-time share

18%

Female share

2%

Median weekly earnings

$1,841

Median age

34 yrs

Employment outlook

Growing

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia · ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

About this career

Plasterers apply and fix plasterboard partitions, suspended ceilings, fire rating systems, acoustic tiles, and composite wall linings to buildings, and apply decorative and protective coverings of plaster, cement and similar materials to the interiors and exteriors of structures.

What they typically do

  • Determining plasterboard layout, and installing insulation and vapour barriers
  • Measuring, marking and cutting plasterboard, lifting and positioning panels, and securing them to walls, ceilings and battens
  • Preparing corner beads and securing them in position
  • Fixing pre-cast cornices, panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittings
  • Covering joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothing them using wet brushes and sand paper
  • Mixing and applying coats of plaster, cement and render to structures using trowels, and levelling and smoothing coats to uniform thickness
  • Plumbing and straightening corners, angles and wall and ceiling surfaces
  • Creating decorative textures in finishing coats
  • Applying and finishing acoustic, insulating and fireproofing materials bonded with plaster, plastic cement and similar materials

States and territories

Share of workers by location

NSW
29.6%
VIC
26.7%
QLD
22.9%
SA
9.3%
WA
7.5%
TAS
1.8%
ACT
1.3%
NT
0.8%

Qualification pathways

These accredited qualifications can lead to a career as a Plasterers.

  • Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining

    CPC31220 · AQF 3 · 87 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate III in Solid Plastering

    CPC31020 · AQF 3 · 139 providers

    View qualification