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Boat Builders and Shipwrights

Boat Builders and Shipwrights construct, fit out and repair boats and ships.

ManufacturingANZSCO 3991
$2,197/wkMedian full-time pay
3,125People employed
+4% ▲Growth to 2035
82%Work full time
45Median 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 3991.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

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

studying plans and specifications, and preparing templates and scale plans for fabrication and cutting of hull sectionsmarking reference points and lines on dry docks and slipwayschecking position and functioning of slipway apparatusassembling shells of boats and erecting hull sections of shiperecting and preparing launching platforms, conducting pre-launch tests and supervising launching proceduresinstalling masts, frames, decking, fittings, machines, shafts and safety equipment
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 3991 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

Room for 200 more people in boat builders and shipwrights by 2035 ▲

The field shrank 14.6% in the year to February 2026, losing about 500 workers. Most of the jobs are in NSW and QLD, with WA 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 3991.More about our sources: How we check our facts
3.9k2025
3.9k2030 PROJ.
4.1k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

Most boat builders and shipwrights came through a certificate or diploma. 59% did.

A university degree is rare here: 6% 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 3991. 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

MEM30719Certificate III

Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 9 providers
MEM30919Certificate III

Certificate III in Boating Services

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 1 provider
MEM40222Certificate IV

Certificate IV in Boating Services

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 1 provider
See all 5 mapped courses
MEM30719Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction · 9 providers
MEM30919Certificate III in Boating Services · 1 provider
MEM40222Certificate IV in Boating Services · 1 provider
MEM10222Certificate I in Boating Services · 0 providers
MEM20322Certificate II in Boating Services · 0 providers

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

Jobs open right now

3,125 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 3991.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

NSW1k
QLD0.9k
WA0.7k
VIC0.3k
SA0.3k
TAS0.2k
NT0.1k
ACT0.1k