Carpenters and Joiners

ANZSCO ID 3312

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
142,400
Future Growth
-0.6%
Weekly Earnings
$1,432
Full-Time Share
84%
Female Share
1%
Average age
32

Summary

Carpenters and Joiners construct, erect, install, renovate and repair structures and fixtures made of wood, plywood, wallboard and other materials, and cut, shape and fit timber parts to form structures and fittings.

Tasks

  • studying drawings and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures

  • ordering and selecting timbers and materials, and preparing layouts

  • cutting materials, and assembling and nailing cut and shaped parts

  • erecting framework and roof framing, laying sub-flooring and floorboards and verifying trueness of structures

  • nailing fascia panels, sheathing roofs, and fitting exterior wall cladding and door and window frames

  • assembling prepared wood to form structures and fittings ready to install

  • cutting wood joints

  • may construct concrete formwork

  • may repair existing fittings

  • may work with plastic laminates, perspex and metals

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Below average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Medium
  • Heavy
  • Very Heavy

Outlook

Employment 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 in this occupation is likely to remain stable.

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.

Projected Change
-0.6%
(or -800 jobs)
From
134,700
in 2021
To
134,000
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 126,100
2012 120,100
2013 132,000
2014 126,500
2015 128,900
2016 113,500
2017 129,500
2018 134,700
2019 144,100
2020 126,800
2021 134,700
2026 134,000

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 87% of people employed as Carpenters and Joiners work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 21 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.

    More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,432 per week, this is lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,193
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,809

    Median hourly earnings are $35, 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. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. 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)

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.
Earnings Carpenters and Joiners All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,432 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

1
Construction
88.6%
2
Manufacturing
7.4%
3
Health Care and Social Assistance
0.5%
4
Arts and Recreation Services
0.5%
5
Other industries
3.0%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

32.4% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

28.9% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

20.5% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

5.1% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

8.6% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.2% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.8% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.5% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Carpenters and Joiners All Jobs Average
NSW 32.4 31.6
VIC 28.9 25.6
QLD 20.5 20.0
SA 5.1 7.0
WA 8.6 10.8
TAS 2.2 2.0
NT 0.8 1.0
ACT 1.5 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
32
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
1%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Carpenters and Joiners is 32 years. This is younger than 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 Carpenters and Joiners All Jobs Average
15-19 8.0 5.0
20-24 17.2 9.3
25-34 30.3 22.9
35-44 17.9 22.0
45-54 14.8 21.6
55-59 5.9 9.0
60-64 4.0 6.0
65 and Over 2.0 4.2
Median Age 32 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 certificate III in carpentry or joinery is usually needed to work as a Carpenter and Joiner. These courses are 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)

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 Carpenters and Joiners All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.4 10.1
Bachelor degree 2.0 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 3.2 11.6
Certificate III/IV 72.0 21.1
Year 12 10.9 18.1
Year 11 3.1 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 Carpenters and Joiners who are hardworking, reliable and work well in a team.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 48%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 45%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 43%

    Monitoring

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

  • 43%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 41%

    Active listening

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

  • 41%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 41%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 41%

    Time management

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

  • 39%

    Active learning

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

  • 39%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 39%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 39%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 37%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 37%

    Equipment selection

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

  • 37%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 37%

    Troubleshooting

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

  • 36%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 36%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 36%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 34%

    Management of personnel resources

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


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 81%

    Building and construction

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

  • 66%

    Mechanical

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

  • 60%

    Technical design

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

  • 58%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 52%

    Education and training

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

  • 52%

    English language

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

  • 51%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 50%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 49%

    Administration and management

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

  • 47%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 39%

    Clerical

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

  • 38%

    Production and processing

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

  • 37%

    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.

  • 31%

    Psychology

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

  • 29%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 29%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 27%

    Transportation

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

  • 27%

    Sales and marketing

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

  • 24%

    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..

  • 55%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 54%

    Trunk strength

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

  • 52%

    Visualization

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

  • 50%

    Near vision

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

  • 50%

    Extent flexibility

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

  • 48%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 48%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 46%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 46%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 45%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 45%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 45%

    Inductive reasoning

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

  • 45%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 45%

    Stamina

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

  • 43%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 43%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 41%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 41%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 41%

    Depth perception

    Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.

  • 41%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.


Activities

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

  • 79%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 71%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 61%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 61%

    Coordinating the work of a team

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

  • 55%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 54%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 52%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

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

  • 50%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 50%

    Guiding and directing staff

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

  • 48%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

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

  • 48%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 47%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 46%

    Scheduling work and activities

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

  • 46%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 45%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 44%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 39%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 38%

    Communicating with the public

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

  • 36%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 36%

    Drafting, laying out, and specifying parts

    Detailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.


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%

    Administrative

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

  • 52%

    Analytical

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

  • 38%

    Creative

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

  • 24%

    Enterprising

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

  • 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.
  • 67%

    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.

  • 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.

  • 57%

    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.

  • 43%

    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.

  • 43%

    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.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 97%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 95%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 91%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 91%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 90%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 90%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 89%

    Dangerous equipment

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

  • 88%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 88%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 87%

    Contact with people

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

  • 87%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 85%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 85%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

  • 85%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 84%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 84%

    Outdoors, exposed to weather

    Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.

  • 84%

    Unstructured work

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

  • 84%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 83%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

  • 79%

    Walking and running

    Spend time walking and running.

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, 47-2031.01 - Construction Carpenters.


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