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Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators

Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators operate machines to process raw hides and skins, raw textile fibres, and dye, weave and knit fibres for use in textile and footwear production.

ManufacturingANZSCO 7117
$1,225/wkMedian full-time pay
1,598People employed
+3% ▲Growth to 2035
90%Work full time
46Median 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 7117.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

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

preparing machines for operation by selecting and installing attachments and components for specialised functionssetting and operating controls used to regulate processing operationsstarting machines and monitoring operation to detect faults and ensure effectiveness of operationloading drums with hides and skins, textiles, and dyeing and tanning solutionscutting and machining leather and synthetic shoe uppers, and making shoes using moulded and cement construction techniquesthreading loom shuttles with cross-yarn arms
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 7117 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

A steady field: around 1,741 jobs in textile and footwear production machine operators through 2035

The field shrank 4.1% in the year to February 2026, losing about 100 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 7117.More about our sources: How we check our facts
1.7k2025
1.7k2030 PROJ.
1.7k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

There is no single way in. 25% trained through VET, 11% hold a degree.

Both paths are common in this field. 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 7117. 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

MST20319Certificate II

Certificate II in Leather Production

Textiles, Clothing and Footwear.

See 2 providers

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

Jobs open right now

1,598 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 7117.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

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