Plasterer salary in Australia
ANZSCO occupation: Plasterers
Last reviewed July 2026
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) · 2025 data. Annual figure derived from median weekly earnings × 52.
See your take-home pay on $96,000 →At a glance
- People employed
- 31,600
- Annual employment growth
- +700/yr
- 5-yr projected growth
- +2.3%
- Skills shortage rating
- Shortage
- Main industry
- Construction
- Works full-time
- 82%
- Avg full-time hours
- 43 hrs/wk
- Works part-time
- 18%
- Female share
- 2%
- Median age
- 34 yrs
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025)
What does a plasterer do?
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.
- Determining plasterboard layout, and installing insulation and vapour barriers
- Measuring, marking and cutting plasterboard, lifting and positioning panels, and securing them to walls, ceilings and battens
- Preparing corner beads and securing them in position
- Fixing pre-cast cornices, panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittings
- Covering joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothing them using wet brushes and sand paper
- Mixing and applying coats of plaster, cement and render to structures using trowels, and levelling and smoothing coats to uniform thickness
- Plumbing and straightening corners, angles and wall and ceiling surfaces
- Creating decorative textures in finishing coats
- Applying and finishing acoustic, insulating and fireproofing materials bonded with plaster, plastic cement and similar materials
How to become a plasterer
Typical education for this occupation, and courses that lead to it.
Education held by people in this role
Where plasterers are employed
Share of workers by state and territory (employment distribution, not pay).
Plasterer jobs
Related occupations
Similar occupations
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plasterer earn in Australia?
The median plasterer earns $95,732 per year ($1,841 per week), based on Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025).
What qualifications do you need to be a plasterer?
Most plasterers hold a Certificate III or IV (46.6% of workers). Pathways vary — see typical courses above.
Is plasterer a job in demand in Australia?
Around 31,600 plasterers are employed in Australia. Employment is changing by about +700 workers per year.
Earnings, employment and education data: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Employment projections: Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Skills shortage ratings: Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
The ABS median refers to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate; individual pay varies. Annual figures derived from median weekly earnings × 52. Figures are estimates for guidance only.