Carpentry is a steady job, you get to work with your hands, and it’s a stepping stone to a range of other careers if you wish. It’s one step above a labourer, and a step behind a qualified builder; but it’s on the Australian medium term skills shortage list and it could be your ticket to PR.
The work a carpenter performs is varied, and you can work across multiple different places, in industrial, commercial, or residential settings. You can work on refits and maintenance, or brand new builds. If you’re someone who has never enjoyed sitting still, this is the career that you will love; you will always be active and working with your hands.
Growth is steady for carpenter roles in Australia, and there’s plenty of scope for specialisation.
There are a number of different roles you can work in, with different salaries and skill sets:
- Carpenter – Commercial or residential salary range AU$65,000- 80,000
- Labourer salary range AU$60,000- 70,000
- Joiner salary range AU$60,000- 80,000
- Stairbuilder salary range AU$65,000- 85,000
- Shopfitter salary range AU$60,000- 70,000
Carpentry Programs Available in Australia
There are a few pathways to becoming a carpenter in Australia. Unfortunately, international students are unable to complete apprenticeships under the Australian Government’s Australian Apprenticeship program. The courses the qualify you as a carpenter in Australia require a long term work placement as part of the qualification.
However, you may also be able to complete one of the introductory or subject-adjacent courses listed below, then gain employment and complete the apprenticeship-based course while on a work visa or training visa.
Certificate III Carpentry Course
This is a comprehensive two year course that provides you with all the basics skills you need to become a carpenter. It covers installation, construction, and repairing a range of structures, and the tools and materials needed to do so.
You’ll need an IELTS score of 5.5 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands. It costs AU$34,600 at TAFE South Australia.
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
TAFE WA offers this one year course. The benefit of this one is that there’s no work placement, but it sets you up as a pathway to a higher degree, or to move into a joinery or carpentry role. This degree gives you the skills to plan, supervise, and schedule a site. You’ll gain an understanding on building codes and standards, and how to read plans and contracts.
It costs AU$14,260 and you’ll need an IELTS score of 5.5 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands.
Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
This two year certificate with TAFE Queensland sets you up to start work as a joiner. You’ll learn about working with timber, develop skills repairing and creating timber products, and learn about how to design and make everything using power tools and wood machines.
It costs AU$25,200 in total and you’ll need an IELTS score of 5.5 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands. – Click here to get IELTS help for carpentry studies in Australia
Is the Carpentry to PR Pathway Possible?
Once you have done your introductory course, you’ll need to do an apprenticeship in order to be qualified. As mentioned above, that’s not possible on a student visa. Added to this, unlike other degrees where you’d get your post-study visa, that’s not applicable here.
There are two roles that are on the medium to long term skills shortage list, and multiple visa options you can apply for. The roles are carpenter 331212 or carpenter and joiner 331211.
Visa options for both roles include:
- 407 – Training visa: This could be the temporary visa you need to complete an apprenticeship while studying
- If this is not possible, you’ll need to get a work visa. This could be:
- 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa:
- This permanent visa requires being nominated by an Australian employer.
- 189 – Skilled Independent:
- This permanent points-tested visa could be an option once you’re qualified after your apprenticeship
- 190 – Skilled Nominated
- This is a permanent visa which you must be nominated for
- 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage
- Medium Term Stream. This is for up to four years
- 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Employer sponsored stream
- This provisional visa lets you apply for PR after three years
- 491 – Skilled Work Regional visa State or Territory nominated. This provisional visa lets you stay for up to five years in a regional area of Australia.