Carpenter and Joiner
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Retention gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$86,900
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Cuts, shapes, fits and installs structures and fixtures of wood, plywood and wallboard, and cuts, shapes and fits timber parts to form structures and fittings.
Scope note: Shopfitters are excluded from this occupation. Shopfitters are included in Occupation 369931 Shopfitter.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Studies blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine materials required and dimensions of structures or fixtures
- Operates woodworking machines to cut, shape and fit timber parts to form structures and fixtures such as cabinets, doors and window frames, and installs them using hand and power tools
- Constructs and installs stairs, handrails and balustrades
- Applies finishes such as paint, stain or varnish, and installs hardware such as hinges, locks and handles, on structures and fixtures
- Erects frameworks for structures such as walls, floors and roofs, using scaffolding and ladders
Credentials & Pathway
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.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Carpentry
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Pre-vocational
Certificate III in Joinery
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Shopfitting
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Fenestration
Transferable skills
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
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+6%
9,589 projected jobs
to 2035
+11%
16,294 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Carpenter and Joiner.
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
56,190
Moved in from another occupation
10,185
Moved to another occupation
7,260
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 372131
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- 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.