Floor Finishers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Floor Finishers measure, cut, install and repair soft and resilient floor coverings.
Specialisations: Carpet Layer, Parquetry Layer.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Floor Finisher. Although some workers have a certificate III in floorcovering. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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measuring areas to be covered and consulting plans to estimate quantities of floor covering materials required
-
preparing surfaces for covering and removing baseboard trims
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measuring, cutting and fixing underlay materials
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laying coverings, such as carpets, linoleum, parquetry blocks, cork tiles and other resilient flooring materials, over floors, matching patterns, cutting shapes around fixtures and trimming edges
-
securing floor coverings and fitting edge trims in doorways
-
sanding, staining and applying finishing coatings to timber floors
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may install wall, ceiling, counter and bench coverings
Characteristics
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
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 moderately
- is likely to reach 11,700 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 | 10,000 |
2012 | 11,900 |
2013 | 8,500 |
2014 | 7,900 |
2015 | 14,100 |
2016 | 10,400 |
2017 | 14,000 |
2018 | 8,300 |
2019 | 11,500 |
2020 | 10,800 |
2021 | 11,300 |
2026 | 11,700 |
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
-
Around 73% of people employed as Floor Finishers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 7 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Median full-time earnings are $1,207 per week, this is much lower than weekly earnings for all jobs ($1,593).
Median hourly earnings are $30, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Floor Finishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,207 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Floor Finishers work in the Construction industry.
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 | Floor Finishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 28.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.5 | 1.9 |
-
Around 45% of Floor Finishers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
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
-
The median age of Floor Finishers is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 2% of the workforce. This is 46 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)
Age Bracket | Floor Finishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 10.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 21.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 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 Floor Finisher. Although some workers have a certificate III in floorcovering. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
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)
Type of Qualification | Floor Finishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 2.9 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 44.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 17.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 25.4 | 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 Floor Finishers who are reliable, work well in a team and who are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
48%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
37%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
37%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
30%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
30%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
30%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
27%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
27%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
61%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
52%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
50%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
49%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
49%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
48%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
46%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
43%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
43%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
37%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
35%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
34%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
32%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
31%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
29%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
25%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
25%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
22%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
18%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
15%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
61%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
55%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
52%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
50%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
48%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
45%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
-
45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
43%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
-
41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
41%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
39%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
37%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
34%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
94%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
83%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
62%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
58%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
57%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
53%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
53%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
52%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
49%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
48%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
47%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
46%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
44%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
44%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
42%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
42%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
41%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
40%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
39%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
37%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
43%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
62%
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.
-
48%
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.
-
43%
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.
-
40%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
29%
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.
Demands
-
97%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
95%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
89%
Kneeling, crouching, stooping, or crawlingSpend time kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling.
-
88%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
86%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
85%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
84%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
83%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
83%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
82%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
81%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
79%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
76%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
75%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
75%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
73%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
70%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
70%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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, 47-2041.00 - Carpet Installers.
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
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.