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Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers

Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers make and repair tools, dies, jigs, fixtures and other precision parts and equipment to fine tolerances for machine tools and other production machinery, and construct full-size engineering, visual and experimental models and models for the manufacture of prototype developmental products.

Trades & constructionANZSCO 3234
1,786People employed
+10% ▲Growth to 2035
83%Work full time
49Median 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 3234.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

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

studying drawings and specifications to determine dimensions and tolerances of articles to be manufactured and models to be constructedmeasuring and marking out metal stock and castings using various gaugesshaping metal and wood stock using machine toolschecking accuracy of manufactured articles and finished patterns to fine tolerances, using precision measuring instrumentstesting and modifying manufactured articlesapplying protective finishes to patterns and painting pattern sections to indicate method of assembly
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 3234 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

Room for 400 more people in toolmakers and engineering patternmakers by 2035 ▲

The field shrank 12.6% in the year to February 2026, losing about 300 workers. Most of the jobs are in VIC and NSW, 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 3234.More about our sources: How we check our facts
4.1k2025
4.3k2030 PROJ.
4.5k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

Most toolmakers and engineering patternmakers came through a certificate or diploma. 76% did.

A university degree is rare here: 5% 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 3234. 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

MEM31519Certificate III

Certificate III in Engineering - Toolmaking Trade

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 2 providers
MEM31622Certificate III

Certificate III in Engineering - Patternmaking Trade

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 1 provider

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

Jobs open right now

1,786 Australians do this work. See who is hiring this month.

Search job ads by state

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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 3234.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

VIC1.4k
NSW0.9k
QLD0.4k
WA0.2k
SA0.2k
TAS0.1k
ACT0.1k
NT0.1k

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