Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals create visual two- and three-dimensional concepts and forms through painting, drawing, carving, sculpting, modelling, printmaking, video, multimedia, found objects, ephemera, soundscapes and other media to communicate concepts and ideas.
Tasks
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conceiving and developing ideas, designs and styles for paintings, drawings, pottery pieces and sculptures
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arranging objects, positioning models, and selecting landscapes and other visual forms according to chosen subject matter
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selecting artistic media, method and materials
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applying media to surfaces using appropriate techniques
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moulding clay into functional and artistic articles by wheel-throwing, moulding and hand-building
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mixing glazing materials and applying glazes to dried pottery by dipping and painting
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placing finished and decorated pieces in kilns
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sketching designs of proposed sculptures, and making wax and plaster models
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devising forms from metal using welding and metalworking equipment, and from stone using masonry tools
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carving and forming materials to desired shape using hand and power tools
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Creative
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow very strongly
- is likely to reach 17,800 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 6,500 |
2012 | 8,100 |
2013 | 6,600 |
2014 | 9,800 |
2015 | 9,100 |
2016 | 7,000 |
2017 | 6,800 |
2018 | 10,800 |
2019 | 10,800 |
2020 | 13,700 |
2021 | 15,200 |
2026 | 17,800 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 49% of people employed as Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 17 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 47 hours per week in their main job. This is 3 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals work in the Arts and recreation services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 28.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 3.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 44% of Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals is 50 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 57% of the workforce. This is 9 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 14.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 19.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 11.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 14.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 50 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A high level of artistic skill is needed to work as a Visual Arts and Crafts Professional. Some workers also have a university or Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in fields like fine art, creative art or craft.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Creative Arts and Culture VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 12.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 29.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 17.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 12.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 15.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 10.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals who have strong interpersonal skills, can communicate well with diverse audiences and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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50%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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46%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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46%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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46%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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39%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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37%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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36%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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36%
Management of financial resourcesFiguring out how money is needed to do something, and keeping track of the money that's being spent.
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34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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34%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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30%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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27%
Management of material resourcesProviding the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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89%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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68%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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56%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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54%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
49%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
49%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
49%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
48%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
47%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
46%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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44%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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42%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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39%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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37%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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37%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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35%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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34%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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28%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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26%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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23%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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75%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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64%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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61%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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57%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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54%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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52%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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50%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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48%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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48%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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34%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
90%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
72%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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62%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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62%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
59%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
57%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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55%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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54%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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53%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
52%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
48%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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47%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
-
45%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
43%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
41%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
41%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
40%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
40%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
35%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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28%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
71%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
48%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
14%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
Values
-
81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
81%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
67%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
67%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
29%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
-
98%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
95%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
94%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
81%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
80%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
78%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
77%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
70%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
69%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
68%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
68%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
67%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
66%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
65%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
65%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
64%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
63%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
63%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
59%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
58%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 27-1013.00 - Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.