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Career pathway

Signwriters

ANZSCO 3996

Employed

6,300

Part-time share

24%

Female share

8%

Median age

43 yrs

Employment outlook

Growing

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

Salary and some workforce figures are suppressed for this occupation because Jobs and Skills Australia / the ABS do not publish estimates for small populations (typically fewer than 50 employed people) or because the figures have been perturbed for privacy. They are shown as unavailable rather than zero.

About this career

Signwriters design, fabricate and paint signs for displays, buildings, hoardings, boats and structures.

What they typically do

  • Conferring with clients and responding to proposals, sketches and written instructions to determine composition of signs
  • Designing and creating signs and graphics using computer software and signmaking machines
  • Designing and creating signs by measuring and calculating letter size, preparing the surface, applying background paint using brushes, sprays and rollers, and creating the letters using brushes, stencils, enamel paint and decals
  • Designing and creating wall murals, screen prints, gold leaf work and custom vehicle art
  • Painting signs and lettering using lacquers, varnishes, paints and other materials
  • Painting signs on brick, metal, timber, glass, plastic and other surfaces
  • Making and erecting three dimensional signs
  • Preparing cost estimates for labour and materials
  • May erect and work on scaffolding
  • May install signs on-site

States and territories

Share of workers by location

VIC
32.1%
NSW
26.6%
QLD
19.4%
SA
8.2%
WA
8.1%
TAS
2.2%
NT
1.8%
ACT
1.7%

Qualification pathways

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