Opens in a new tab

Plasterers

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.

Trades & constructionLicensed workANZSCO 3332
$1,841/wkMedian full-time pay
32kPeople employed
+6% ▲Growth to 2035
82%Work full time
34Median 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 3332.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

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

determining plasterboard layout, and installing insulation and vapour barriersmeasuring, marking and cutting plasterboard, lifting and positioning panels, and securing them to walls, ceilings and battenspreparing corner beads and securing them in positionfixing pre-cast cornices, panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittingscovering joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothing them using wet brushes and sand papermixing and applying coats of plaster, cement and render to structures using trowels, and levelling and smoothing coats to uniform thickness
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 3332 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

Room for 1,800 more people in plasterers by 2035 ▲

The field grew 2.3% in the year to February 2026, adding about 700 workers. 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 3332.More about our sources: How we check our facts
31.4k2025
32.2k2030 PROJ.
33.2k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

Most plasterers came through a certificate or diploma. 51% did.

A university degree is rare here: 3% 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 3332. 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

CPC31020Certificate III

Certificate III in Solid Plastering

Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package · licensed work.

See 131 providers
CPC31220Certificate III

Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining

Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package · licensed work.

See 68 providers

Licensed work: several of these courses lead to work that also needs a state or territory licence. Training is the first step; licensing rules are set by each state.

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

Jobs open right now

32k 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 3332.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

NSW9.2k
VIC8.3k
QLD7.1k
SA2.9k
WA2.3k
TAS0.6k
ACT0.4k
NT0.3k

Occupations near this one

Close to this work but not quite it? Each one has its own page like this.