Engraver

An engraver cuts, etches, or carves decorative or identifying marks into metal, glass, wood, or other materials using hand tools, power tools, or computer-controlled equipment. They produce bespoke work such as jewellery, trophies, plaques, and industrial components, interpreting design briefs and ensuring precise dimensional accuracy and aesthetic finish.

Interpret design specifications and customer briefs to determine engraving depth, letter styles, and placement on workpieces. Set up and operate hand engraving tools including burins, gravers, and chasing hammers to create fine detail work. Programme and operate computer numerical control (CNC) engraving machines and laser engravers to produce repeatable designs. Prepare workpiece surfaces by cleaning, masking, and securing materials such as metals, glass, acrylic, and wood in holding devices. Perform hand finishing techniques including polishing, patination, and edge treatment to achieve desired aesthetic results. Verify dimensional accuracy and surface finish quality against design specifications using callipers, rulers, and visual inspection. Maintain sharp cutting tools through honing and grinding to ensure clean engraving lines and prevent material chipping. Source and select appropriate materials and blanks for projects, considering material properties and suitability for engraving methods.

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.

The work is physically demanding on your hands, wrists, and eyes: fine detail work for hours can cause repetitive strain injury and fatigue. Work is project-based and seasonal, so income can be uneven. Many jobs are in small workshops or solo businesses with limited growth, and laser and CNC machines may take over more hand engraving work.

In reality, most work concentrates in major metros in jewellery precincts, trophy shops, and small manufacturing firms. Regional work exists but is sparse. Very few positions are remote. Work is typically in-studio, and you'll likely need to build a local client base or join an existing small business.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 3233, 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.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Digital Literacycore
• Invoicing and Billing Administrationcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Time Managementcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workflow Prioritisationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Data Entry and Accuracy
• Process Improvement Identification
• Research and Analysis
• Supplier Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Workload Self-Management

• 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.

Last updated: 30 October 2026