Fitter and Turner
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$129,300
Full-time annual
People employed
9,000
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Fits, assembles, grinds and shapes metal parts and subassemblies to fabricate production machines and other equipment.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Reads blueprints and technical specifications to understand the requirements for the metal component to be machined
- Prepares and configures machine tools for specific jobs, and ensures correct fixtures, settings and tools are applied
- Operates lathes to create cylindrical parts
- Fits and assembles metal parts and subassemblies according to engineering specifications
- Uses hand tools and power tools to grind, file and polish metal parts
- Tests and adjusts completed machines and equipment to ensure proper functioning
- Inspects finished products for quality and accuracy
- Performs operational maintenance of machinery
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
8%
Female rate
1%
Median age
40
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+3%
3,643 projected jobs
to 2035
+7%
8,872 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.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
Occupation ready
Certificate I in Engineering
Pre-vocational
Certificate IV in Engineering
Specialised training
Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning
Specialised training
Advanced Diploma of Manufacturing Technology
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
829
ACT · May 2026
12
VIC · May 2026
385
NT · May 2026
43
SA · May 2026
207
NSW · May 2026
596
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Fitter and Turner.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
5,973 estimated employed
- 1
Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
5,973 employed
QLD
-2.74%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South East
5,972 employed
WA
-2.64%
year on year
- 3
Perth - South West
5,627 employed
WA
+1.37%
year on year
- 4
Perth - North West
5,315 employed
WA
+4.92%
year on year
- 5
Perth - North East
3,675 employed
WA
-5.65%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
21,470
Moved in from another occupation
1,700
Moved to another occupation
1,495
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
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 332232
- 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.