Roof Tiler

A roof tiler lays, fixes, and repairs tiles, slates, and other roofing materials on residential and commercial buildings across Australia. Working at heights on pitched and flat roofs, they follow building codes and design specifications to create weatherproof, durable roof systems that protect structures from the elements.

Measure roof dimensions and calculate tile quantities required, accounting for slope, overlap, and waste. Prepare roof substrates by inspecting, cleaning, and repairing timber or concrete surfaces before tiling commences. Mix and apply mortar, adhesive, or bitumen products to secure tiles and slates to roof decking using trowels and spreaders. Lay tiles in straight rows and patterns, checking alignment and fall using spirit levels and string lines. Cut tiles to size using specialist equipment such as tile saws, nippers, or grinders to fit valleys, edges, and penetrations. Install flashing, sarking, underlay, and ridge cappings to manage water runoff and prevent leaks at vulnerable points. Apply grout or pointing between tiles and slates, ensuring joints are sealed and weatherproof. Inspect completed roof work for quality, stability, and compliance with Australian Building Standards and relevant building codes.

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.

You'll be working at heights on steep pitches in hot sun and wet weather, often in physically demanding positions. Your knees, back, and shoulders take a real battering over time. The work is also weather-dependent, so winter and rain mean lost days and unpredictable income, especially if you're starting out as a subcontractor.

In practice, most work concentrates in and around major cities where there's steady residential and commercial building. Rural areas have fewer opportunities unless you're willing to travel. Work is site-based, not remote.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• 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
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Advise on construction materials
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Calculate needs for construction supplies
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Supplier Communication
• 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.

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

Last updated: 30 October 2026