Trades and hands-on work
Occupations you reach through a nationally recognised vocational qualification.
Occupations
32 careers you can work toward in Australia
These are guides to the work itself. Each page names the nationally recognised qualification usually used to enter the occupation and links to training.gov.au, so you can see for yourself which registered training organisations are approved to deliver it. Several of these trades are licensed, and the pages name the authority that licenses them.
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Carpenter
Carpenters set out, build, assemble and install structures in timber and related materials on residential and commercial sites.
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Joiner
Joiners make and install timber doors, windows, staircases and fitted joinery, usually working from a workshop rather than on site.
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Plumber
Plumbers install and maintain the water, gas, drainage and roof drainage systems in buildings.
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Electrician
Electricians install, test and maintain the electrical wiring, switchboards and equipment in buildings and infrastructure.
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Bricklayer
Bricklayers lay brick, block and stone to build walls and structures to plan and to specification.
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Wall and floor tiler
Tilers prepare surfaces and lay ceramic, stone and composite tiles to walls and floors.
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Plasterer
Plasterers apply rendering and solid plaster finishes to internal and external surfaces.
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Painter and decorator
Painters prepare surfaces and apply paint, coatings and decorative finishes to buildings.
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Concreter
Concreters place, finish and cure concrete for slabs, footings, driveways and structures.
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Cabinet maker
Cabinet makers build cabinets and fitted furniture from timber and manufactured board.
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Glazier
Glaziers cut, handle and install glass in residential, commercial and shopfront settings.
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Builder and building supervisor
Builders and building supervisors plan, estimate, coordinate and supervise residential and commercial building projects.
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Air conditioning and refrigeration technician
These technicians install, service and repair air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
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Instrumentation and control technician
These technicians install, calibrate and maintain the instruments and control systems that run industrial processes.
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Metal fabricator and boilermaker
Fabricators cut, form, weld and assemble metal structures and components.
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Mechanical fitter
Mechanical fitters machine, fit and maintain mechanical plant and components.
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Engineering technician
Engineering technicians support design, planning and project delivery in engineering environments.
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Light vehicle mechanic
Light vehicle mechanics diagnose, service and repair cars and light commercial vehicles.
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Heavy vehicle mechanic
Heavy vehicle mechanics service and repair trucks, buses and heavy commercial vehicles.
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Automotive electrician
Automotive electricians diagnose and repair the electrical and electronic systems in vehicles.
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Chef and commercial cook
Chefs and commercial cooks prepare and cook food to order in commercial kitchens, and supervise kitchen sections.
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Pastry chef
Pastry chefs produce pastries, cakes and desserts in commercial kitchens and patisseries.
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Hospitality and venue manager
Hospitality managers run the service, staffing and commercial side of cafes, restaurants, hotels and venues.
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Aged care and disability support worker
Support workers assist older people and people with disability with daily living, personal care and community participation.
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Enrolled nurse
Enrolled nurses provide nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
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Mental health support worker
Mental health workers support people experiencing mental illness, including in peer roles drawing on lived experience.
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Community services worker and case manager
Community services workers assess need, coordinate support and manage cases across social service settings.
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Early childhood educator
Early childhood educators plan and deliver education and care for children before school age.
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Education support officer and teacher's aide
Education support officers assist teachers and support students in school settings.
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Business administrator and manager
Business administrators and managers run the operations, planning and coordination side of an organisation.
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Learning and development officer
Learning and development officers build workforce capability through organisational training and development.
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Security officer and crowd controller
Security officers protect people and property, control access, and manage crowds at venues and events.
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