Deck Hand
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$87,100
Full-time annual
People employed
2,500
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Performs a range of maintenance and lookout tasks and operates deck equipment aboard a marine vessel.
Alternative titles
Marine General Purpose Hand
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Operates and maintains deck equipment, rigging, and lifesaving and firefighting equipment
- Handles and secures lines and ropes during docking procedures
- Keeps lookout while vessel is at sea
- Assists passengers with enquiries and luggage needs
- Assists with loading and unloading cargo
- Maintains the appearance of deck structures by removing rust, treating and painting as necessary
- Maintains a vessel's kitchens, laundries, cabins and recreation areas
- Assists in maintaining cleanliness and seaworthiness of a vessel
- May serve food and drinks onboard a passenger vessel
- May perform routine mechanical tasks on smaller vessels
- May perform routine mechanical tasks on smaller vessels.
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
27%
Female rate
16%
Median age
39
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
-1%
-78 projected jobs
to 2035
+3%
187 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 4
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating)
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Fishing Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Fishing Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal)
Pre-vocational
Certificate I in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal)
Pre-vocational
Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Chief Integrated Rating)
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
11
ACT · May 2026
0
VIC · May 2026
3
NT · May 2026
3
SA · May 2026
3
NSW · May 2026
5
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Deck Hand.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Mid North Coast
1,098 estimated employed
- 1
Mid North Coast
1,098 employed
NSW
-3.6%
year on year
- 2
South Australia - South East
378 employed
SA
+40.52%
year on year
- 3
Perth - South West
320 employed
WA
+8.11%
year on year
- 4
Latrobe - Gippsland
241 employed
VIC
+3.88%
year on year
- 5
Launceston and North East
239 employed
TAS
+45.73%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
6,215
Moved in from another occupation
940
Moved to another occupation
985
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 899231
- 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).
- 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. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.