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.
- View qualification
Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining
CPC31220 · AQF 3 · 87 providers
- View qualification
Certificate III in Solid Plastering
CPC31020 · AQF 3 · 139 providers
