Plasterers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Plasterers apply and fix plasterboard partitions, suspended ceilings, fire rating systems, acoustic tiles, and composite wall linings to buildings, and apply decorative and protective coverings of plaster, cement and similar materials to the interiors and exteriors of structures.
Tasks
-
determining plasterboard layout, and installing insulation and vapour barriers
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measuring, marking and cutting plasterboard, lifting and positioning panels, and securing them to walls, ceilings and battens
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preparing corner beads and securing them in position
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fixing pre-cast cornices, panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittings
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covering joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothing them using wet brushes and sand paper
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mixing and applying coats of plaster, cement and render to structures using trowels, and levelling and smoothing coats to uniform thickness
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plumbing and straightening corners, angles and wall and ceiling surfaces
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creating decorative textures in finishing coats
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applying and finishing acoustic, insulating and fireproofing materials bonded with plaster, plastic cement and similar materials
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
-
Administrative
-
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 decline
- is likely to reach 25,200 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 | 35,600 |
2012 | 25,700 |
2013 | 34,200 |
2014 | 32,700 |
2015 | 33,600 |
2016 | 32,200 |
2017 | 36,300 |
2018 | 36,800 |
2019 | 28,000 |
2020 | 29,700 |
2021 | 26,300 |
2026 | 25,200 |
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 78% of people employed as Plasterers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 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
-
Most Plasterers 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 | Plasterers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 26.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 14.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.2 | 1.9 |
-
Around 60% of Plasterers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
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 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)
Age Bracket | Plasterers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 10.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 30.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.6 | 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 Plasterer. Although some workers have a certificate III in wall and ceiling lining or 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)
Type of Qualification | Plasterers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 50.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 17.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 21.0 | 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 Plasterers who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
37%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
37%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
34%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
32%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
32%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
30%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
30%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
27%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
27%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
27%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
76%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
47%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
45%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
43%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
42%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
42%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
41%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
41%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
37%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
34%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
31%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
31%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
30%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
29%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
29%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
25%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
24%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
20%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
20%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
18%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
55%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
50%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
46%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
-
46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
46%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
45%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
45%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
-
43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
37%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
75%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
64%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
50%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
50%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
48%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
45%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
-
44%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
44%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
43%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
39%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
38%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
38%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
37%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
36%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
35%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
35%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
33%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
32%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
31%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
31%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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.
-
76%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
62%
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.
-
57%
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.
-
55%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
52%
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.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
33%
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%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
95%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
91%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
89%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
82%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
82%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
81%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
81%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
79%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
78%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
75%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
74%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
74%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
73%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
72%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
69%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
69%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
69%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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, 47-2081.00 - Drywall and Ceiling Tile 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.