Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers

ANZSCO ID 399515

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
780
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
57%
Female Share
9%
Average age
51

Summary

Musical Instrument Makers or Repairers build, repair and restore musical instruments, and modify and tune them to owners' specifications.

Specialisations: Piano Tuner.

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer. Although most workers have a certificate III or IV in musical instrument making, maintenance and repair.

Tasks

  • Designs and makes musical instruments and instrument parts using specially selected materials and techniques similar to those used in cabinetmaking, metal pipe making, silver smithing and wood carving.

  • Tunes and repairs musical instruments.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Analytical
  • Creative
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Light

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Performing Arts Technicians, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 57% of people employed as Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 9 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to 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

1
Other Services
53.3%
2
Manufacturing
22.9%
3
Retail Trade
8.7%
4
Arts and Recreation Services
5.4%
5
Other industries
5.4%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

31.8% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

31.2% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

17.2% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.8% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

8.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.2% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.4% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

2.2% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers All Jobs Average
NSW 31.8 31.6
VIC 31.2 25.6
QLD 17.2 20.0
SA 6.8 7.0
WA 8.3 10.8
TAS 2.2 2.0
NT 0.4 1.0
ACT 2.2 1.9


  • Around 66% of Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.

    Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.

    The region with the largest share of workers is Melbourne - Outer East.

    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

Age In Years
51
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
9%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers is 51 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 9% of the workforce. This is 39 percentage points below 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers All Jobs Average
15-19 1.3 5.0
20-24 4.7 9.3
25-34 13.8 22.9
35-44 17.6 22.0
45-54 20.3 21.6
55-59 12.7 9.0
60-64 13.3 6.0
65 and Over 16.4 4.2
Median Age 51 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

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer. Although most workers have a certificate III or IV in musical instrument making, maintenance and repair.

Visit

  • 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)

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.
Type of Qualification Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 4.9 10.1
Bachelor degree 13.3 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 14.3 11.6
Certificate III/IV 39.2 21.1
Year 12 16.2 18.1
Year 11 3.8 4.8
Year 10 and below 8.4 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 Performing Arts Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 50%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 46%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 45%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 45%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 45%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 43%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 43%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 43%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 43%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 43%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 43%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 43%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 41%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 41%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 41%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 41%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 41%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 37%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 36%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 34%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 61%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 61%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 54%

    Fine arts

    Compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

  • 51%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 51%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 44%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 44%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 43%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 43%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 40%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 39%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 38%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 36%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 35%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 32%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 30%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.

  • 28%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 25%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 22%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 17%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 70%

    Hearing sensitivity

    Tell the difference between sounds.

  • 61%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 57%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 55%

    Auditory attention

    Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.

  • 55%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 55%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 55%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 54%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 52%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 50%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 46%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 46%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 46%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 45%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 45%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 43%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 43%

    Flexibility of closure

    See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.

  • 43%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 43%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 41%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 70%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 69%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 65%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 63%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 63%

    Working with the public

    Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.

  • 62%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 62%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 60%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 59%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 57%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 55%

    Communicating with the public

    Giving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 53%

    Managing payments and orders

    Monitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.

  • 52%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 52%

    Providing office support

    Doing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.

  • 52%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 52%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 51%

    Influencing people

    Convincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.

  • 50%

    Scheduling work and activities

    Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

  • 48%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 38%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working 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%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 67%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 57%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 57%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 24%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 19%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 62%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 62%

    Independence

    Work 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.

  • 45%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 38%

    Recognition

    Advancement 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.

  • 38%

    Relationships

    Serve 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.

  • 38%

    Support

    Supportive 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

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 99%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 98%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 95%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 94%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 94%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 93%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 89%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 87%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 86%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 85%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 83%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 80%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 77%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 75%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 74%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 74%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 74%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 73%

    Repeating same tasks

    Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.

  • 70%

    Spend time sitting

    Spend time sitting at work.

  • 68%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

Occupational Information Network
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, 49-9063.00 - Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners.


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