Carpenter
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Retention gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$86,900
Full-time annual
People employed
104,900
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Constructs, erects, installs, renovates and repairs structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, lightweight steel, wallboard and other materials.
Typical environments
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Skills to build
- Timber framing & structural work
- Reading construction plans & specifications
- Power tool operation & safety
- Measuring, marking & cutting
- Building code compliance (NCC)
Nice-to-have (edge)
- Concrete formwork
- Roof carpentry
- Heritage restoration
- Sustainable building materials
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
16%
Female rate
1%
Median age
31
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+6%
9,589 projected jobs
to 2035
+11%
16,294 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Certificate III in Carpentry
3–4 year apprenticeship. Covers structural carpentry, formwork and finishing.
White Card (Construction Induction)
Mandatory for all construction site access.
Working at Heights Licence
Required for roofing and elevated work.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Carpentry
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Timber Systems Design
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Pre-vocational
Certificate I in Construction
Pre-vocational
Certificate III in Shopfitting
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Joinery
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Timber Systems Design
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Construction
Progression pathway
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
295
ACT · May 2026
25
VIC · May 2026
166
NT · May 2026
19
SA · May 2026
79
NSW · May 2026
257
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Carpenter.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - North East
5,669 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - North East
5,669 employed
VIC
+11.51%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - South East
4,939 employed
VIC
-3.16%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - Outer East
4,723 employed
VIC
+0.19%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - West
4,501 employed
VIC
-5.92%
year on year
- 5
Gold Coast
3,987 employed
QLD
-3.18%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
51,345
Moved in from another occupation
8,530
Moved to another occupation
7,065
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 372132
- Last updated
- 2026-01-18
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · JSA · HomeAffairs · SEEK
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.