Solid Plasterers

ANZSCO ID 333212

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
5,100
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
72%
Female Share
1%
Average age
37

Summary

Solid Plasterers apply decorative and protective coverings of plaster, cement and similar materials to the interiors and exteriors of structures.

Tasks

  • Fixes pre-cast cornices, panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittings.

  • Covers joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothes them using wet brushes and sand paper.

  • Mixes and applies coats of plaster, cement and render to structures using trowels, and levels and smoothes coats to uniform thickness.

  • Plumbs and straightens corners, angles and wall and ceiling surfaces.

  • Creates decorative textures in finishing coats.

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
Physical Demand
  • Medium
  • Heavy

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, Plasterers, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 72% of people employed as Solid Plasterers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 43 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
Construction
91.9%
2
Manufacturing
0.6%
3
Administrative and Support Services
0.4%
4
Education and Training
0.2%
5
Other industries
1.2%
  • Most Solid Plasterers work in the Construction industry.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.


Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

29.1% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

29.4% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

21.0% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

9.9% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.3% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.9% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.6% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Solid Plasterers All Jobs Average
NSW 29.1 31.6
VIC 29.4 25.6
QLD 21.0 20.0
SA 6.7 7.0
WA 9.9 10.8
TAS 1.3 2.0
NT 0.9 1.0
ACT 1.6 1.9


  • Around 65% of Solid Plasterers 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 regions with the largest share of workers are:

    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
37
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
1%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Solid Plasterers is 37 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.

    Females make up 1% of the workforce. This is 47 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 Solid Plasterers All Jobs Average
15-19 2.5 5.0
20-24 9.6 9.3
25-34 29.9 22.9
35-44 28.7 22.0
45-54 19.2 21.6
55-59 5.6 9.0
60-64 2.9 6.0
65 and Over 1.5 4.2
Median Age 37 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 Solid Plasterer. Although some workers have a certificate III in solid plastering.

Registration or licencing may be required.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services 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 Solid Plasterers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.1 10.1
Bachelor degree 1.7 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 3.0 11.6
Certificate III/IV 48.6 21.1
Year 12 16.3 18.1
Year 11 5.0 4.8
Year 10 and below 25.3 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 Plasterers who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 41%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 39%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 39%

    Time management

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

  • 37%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 37%

    Monitoring

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

  • 36%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 36%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 32%

    Active listening

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

  • 32%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 32%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 32%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 32%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 30%

    Active learning

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

  • 30%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 30%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 30%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 30%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 30%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 29%

    Learning strategies

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

  • 27%

    Management of material resources

    Providing the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 61%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 49%

    Administration and management

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

  • 47%

    Technical design

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

  • 47%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 44%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 42%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 37%

    Mechanical

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

  • 36%

    English language

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

  • 34%

    Education and training

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

  • 32%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 31%

    Production and processing

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

  • 27%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 26%

    Transportation

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

  • 23%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 20%

    Clerical

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

  • 18%

    Chemistry

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

  • 18%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 17%

    Medicine and dentistry

    Diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.

  • 17%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 16%

    Economics and accounting

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


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 52%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 52%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 52%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 50%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 46%

    Near vision

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

  • 45%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 45%

    Control precision

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

  • 45%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 43%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 43%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 43%

    Stamina

    Exercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.

  • 43%

    Visualization

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

  • 41%

    Balance

    Keep your balance or stay upright.

  • 41%

    Dynamic strength

    Exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

  • 41%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 39%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 39%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 39%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 39%

    Whole body coordination

    Move your arms, legs, and body together.

  • 32%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.


Activities

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

  • 76%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 72%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 66%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 64%

    Guiding and directing staff

    Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.

  • 62%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 58%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 56%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 55%

    Assessing and evaluating things

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

  • 53%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 53%

    Thinking creatively

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

  • 52%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 51%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 50%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 50%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 49%

    Coaching and developing others

    Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.

  • 48%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 45%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 45%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 44%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 42%

    Working with the public

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


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.

  • 33%

    Administrative

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

  • 33%

    Creative

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

  • 29%

    Enterprising

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

  • 14%

    Analytical

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

  • 14%

    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.
  • 57%

    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.

  • 48%

    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.

  • 43%

    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.

  • 43%

    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%

    Achievement

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

  • 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.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 98%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 93%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 92%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 87%

    Outdoors, exposed to weather

    Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.

  • 87%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 83%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 83%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 83%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 82%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 82%

    Contact with people

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

  • 80%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 75%

    Dangerous equipment

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

  • 75%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 73%

    Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings

    Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.

  • 70%

    Bending or twisting your body

    Spend time bending or twisting your body.

  • 69%

    Work at heights

    Work in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).

  • 69%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 69%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 68%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 66%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

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, 47-2161.00 - Plasterers and Stucco Masons.


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