Electroplater

An electroplater applies metallic coatings to components using electrochemical deposition processes in manufacturing or specialised coating facilities. They operate electroplating equipment, manage electrolyte solutions, monitor process parameters, and ensure coated products meet quality and thickness specifications. The role involves both routine production plating and troubleshooting of coating defects.

Prepare component surfaces through cleaning, degreasing, and pickling processes to remove contaminants and oxides before plating. Mix and maintain electroplating solutions including plating salts, brighteners, and additives at specified concentrations and pH levels. Position components in racks or jigs and suspend them in electroplating tanks at correct distances from anodes. Set electroplating equipment parameters including voltage, amperage, temperature, and immersion time according to product specifications and metal type. Monitor plating baths using hydrometer and pH testing to maintain solution composition within acceptable ranges. Conduct thickness measurements on plated components using micrometer gauges or electronic coating thickness testers to verify compliance with specifications. Inspect coated products for defects such as pitting, burns, uneven coverage, and adhesion failures using visual and tactile examination. Operate rinsing and drying equipment to remove residual plating solution from finished components.

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.

Electroplating involves regular exposure to harsh chemical baths, fumes, and caustic solutions that require strict safety protocols. The work is repetitive and detail-focused, demanding constant attention to precise measurements and bath chemistry. Pay is modest and unlikely to grow significantly unless you move into supervisory roles. Automation of routine plating may reduce some entry-level positions over time.

Most jobs are in established industrial areas rather than regional centres, and remote work is not an option.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Check quality of enamelcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Documentationcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Process Improvement Identification
• Record Management
• Supplier Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Workload Self-Management
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• 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.

Last updated: 30 October 2026