Jeweller

A jeweller designs, creates, repairs, and modifies jewellery items from precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) and gemstones. Working in a workshop or retail environment, they use hand tools, specialised equipment, and sometimes CAD software to craft bespoke pieces, resize rings, reset stones, and restore damaged or antique jewellery to client specifications.

Design jewellery pieces using hand sketches or CAD software based on client briefs and artistic vision. Measure, mark, and cut precious metals using jeweller's saws, files, and measuring gauges. Shape and form metal using hammers, anvils, mandrels, and specialised forming tools. Solder metal components together using torches, solder, and flux while controlling heat to prevent damage. Set gemstones and diamonds into metal settings using gravers, burring tools, and stone-setting techniques. Resize rings and bracelets by cutting, adding, or removing metal sections and resoldering. Polish, buff, and finish jewellery pieces using rotary tools, polishing compounds, and hand techniques to achieve desired surface finishes. Assess damage to antique or heirloom jewellery and plan restoration procedures minimising impact on original 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 income will depend heavily on retail markups or client volume. You'll also face repetitive strain injuries from detailed hand work, and the shift to online shopping and mass-produced jewellery means fewer bespoke commissions. Getting your Certificate III or IV takes 1 to 2 years before you can even start building a client base.

In reality, most work concentrates in capital city CBDs and affluent suburbs where customers can afford custom pieces. Some regional jewellers survive in tourist areas or larger regional centres, but remote work isn't an option. Department store and chain jewellery positions may be more exposed to automation or offshoring.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adjust jewellerycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Clean jewellery piecescore
• Continuous Learning and Upskillingcore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Invoicing and Billing Administrationcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Supplier Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Advise customers on jewellery and watches
• Coining
• Complaint Handling
• Digital Literacy
• Negotiation
• Purchase Order Processing
• Record Management
• Stock Counting and Stocktake
• 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