Wall and Floor Tilers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Wall and Floor Tilers lay ceramic, clay, slate, marble and glass tiles on external and internal walls and floors to provide protective and decorative finishes.
Specialisations: Ceramic Tiler, Mosaic Tiler.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Wall and Floor Tiler. Although some workers have a certificate III in wall and floor tiling.
Tasks
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examining plans, measuring and marking surfaces and laying out work
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preparing wall and floor surfaces by removing old tiles, grout and adhesive, filling holes and cracks, and cleaning surfaces
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spreading adhesive onto prepared surfaces and tiles, and setting tiles in position
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using tile-cutting tools to cut and shape tiles needed for edges and corners, and around objects such as fittings and pipes
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ensuring tiles are correctly aligned and spaced
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grouting tiles, and cleaning and removing excess grout
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applying waterproofing systems
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may lay floors of granolithic, terrazzo, cement or similar composition
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may lay coloured tiles in patterns to create mosaics
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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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 16,600 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 | 15,900 |
2012 | 17,000 |
2013 | 14,400 |
2014 | 21,500 |
2015 | 24,200 |
2016 | 25,800 |
2017 | 24,100 |
2018 | 20,400 |
2019 | 18,700 |
2020 | 20,000 |
2021 | 17,800 |
2026 | 16,600 |
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 76% of people employed as Wall and Floor Tilers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 10 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).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
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.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Wall and Floor Tilers 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 | Wall and Floor Tilers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 21.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 23.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 13.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 62% of Wall and Floor Tilers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Queensland and Western Australia have a large share of employment relative to their 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
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The median age of Wall and Floor Tilers 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 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 | Wall and Floor Tilers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 10.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 28.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 19.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.9 | 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 Wall and Floor Tiler. Although some workers have a certificate III in wall and floor tiling.
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 | Wall and Floor Tilers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.9 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 53.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 15.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 19.8 | 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 Wall and Floor Tilers who are reliable, work well in a team and hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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46%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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39%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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39%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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37%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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36%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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36%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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34%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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34%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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48%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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46%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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41%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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41%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
40%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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36%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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35%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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35%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
30%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
28%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
25%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
24%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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23%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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22%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
20%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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13%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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12%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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12%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
8%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
52%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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48%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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46%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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41%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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37%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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36%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
85%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
75%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
62%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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61%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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57%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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56%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
-
55%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
54%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
54%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
52%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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51%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
50%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
50%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
49%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
49%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
48%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
48%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
47%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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46%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
42%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish 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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
52%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
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
-
67%
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.
-
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.
-
50%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
48%
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.
-
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.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Demands
-
91%
Kneeling, crouching, stooping, or crawlingSpend time kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling.
-
91%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
89%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
88%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
86%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
84%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
84%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
83%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
83%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
82%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
81%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
80%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
80%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
77%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
76%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
76%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
75%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
73%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
72%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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, 47-2044.00 - Tile and Marble Setters.
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
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.