Carpenter

A carpenter constructs, installs, and repairs wooden structures and fittings in residential, commercial, and industrial settings across Australia. Working from architectural plans and specifications, carpenters measure, cut, shape, and assemble timber and timber products, ensuring compliance with the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards. They operate hand and power tools, work at heights, and coordinate with other trades on building sites.

Interpret architectural drawings and specifications to determine material requirements, dimensions, and construction methods. Measure and mark timber and sheet materials using measuring tapes, squares, and marking gauges. Cut timber using hand saws, circular saws, table saws, and band saws to precise dimensions. Shape and plane timber using chisels, planes, and sanders to achieve required finishes and tolerances. Assemble frames, trusses, and structural components using nails, screws, bolts, and adhesives. Install door and window frames, ensuring plumb, level, and square alignment. Construct and install timber stairs, handrails, balustrades, and decking according to National Construction Code requirements. Fit internal linings, architraves, skirting boards, and ceiling materials.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Your body takes a beating: repetitive strain injuries in wrists and shoulders are common, plus the physical toll of climbing, lifting, and kneeling on site. Work is weather-dependent and site-dependent, so steady income isn't guaranteed during rain or project gaps. Getting the apprenticeship hours logged can take years before you're fully qualified and earning decent money.

Regional work exists but is patchier and often requires travel. The reality is that residential and commercial construction drives demand in major metros and their expanding suburbs. Remote work isn't an option for this trade.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 3312, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Incident Reporting
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Stakeholder Communication
• Supplier Communication
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Carpenter workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026