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Occupations / Precision Metal Trades Workers

Precision Metal Trades Workers

Precision Metal Trades Workers fabricate, assemble, maintain and repair metal precision instruments.

Trades & constructionANZSCO 3233
$1,537/wkMedian full-time pay
7,764People employed
+8% ▲Growth to 2035
84%Work full time
39Median age
Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3233.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

The main tasks of this occupation, from the national occupation standard.

assembling parts and subassemblies of precision instruments, locks, timepieces and firearmsdismantling precision instruments, locks, timepieces and firearms, repairing and replacing defective parts, and reassembling articles using hand and power tools and specially designed machinesinscribing letters, figures and designs on surfaces of jewellery, trophies and other ornamental itemsinstalling security systems, changing tumblers in locks, changing locks, cutting keys and opening locks by manipulationcalibrating precision instruments using standard weights and measures, jigs and fixtures, and hand tools to adjust and align parts and small balancing weightsmaking blades for circular, band and other power saws and repairing, setting and sharpening blades for hand and power saws
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 3233 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

Room for 600 more people in precision metal trades workers by 2035 ▲

The field grew 0.3% in the year to February 2026. Most of the jobs are in NSW and VIC, with QLD third.

Source: JSA · ABS, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3233.More about our sources: How we check our facts
8.3k2025
8.5k2030 PROJ.
8.9k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

Most precision metal trades workers came through a certificate or diploma. 63% did.

A university degree is rare here: 11% hold one. The trade qualification is the standard way in. These are the nationally recognised courses mapped to this occupation, with the number of registered training providers that offer each one.

Source: JSA · training.gov.auEducation split: JSA (Jobs and Skills Australia) occupation profile, using ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Census data, ANZSCO 3233. Qualification mapping and provider counts: training.gov.au, the national register of vocational education, October 2026. Listed providers are current registered training providers (private providers and TAFE institutes).More about our sources: How we check our facts

Nationally recognised training · most offered first

MEM30819Certificate III

Certificate III in Locksmithing

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 5 providers
FWP31021Certificate III

Certificate III in Saw Technology

Forest and Wood Products Training Package.

See 1 provider
MEM31019Certificate III

Certificate III in Watch and Clock Service and Repair

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 1 provider
See all 4 mapped courses
MEM30819Certificate III in Locksmithing · 5 providers
FWP31021Certificate III in Saw Technology · 1 provider
MEM31019Certificate III in Watch and Clock Service and Repair · 1 provider
11435NATCertificate IV in Small Arms Weapon Maintenance · 0 providers

Providers are shown in A-Z order on each course page. A listing is not a recommendation.

Jobs open right now

7,764 Australians do this work. See who is hiring this month.

Search job ads by state

Each link opens seek.com.au in a new tab, showing ads posted in the last month. SEEK is a job site; we link there because that is where most Australian jobs are advertised. We have no commercial relationship with SEEK.

Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26State chart shows people employed, not current job ads. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3233.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

NSW2.6k
VIC2.3k
QLD1.2k
WA1k
SA0.5k
ACT0.2k
TAS0.1k
NT0.1k

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