How to Become a Carpenter in Australia
Carpentry is a rewarding career that offers plenty of opportunities for growth in the building and construction industry, with even higher-paying supervisory or specialist positions. Think construction foreman, lead hand carpenter, carpenter foreman or starting your own business.
As a carpenter, you study building plans, work out the materials required, shape timber into structures and fittings, and erect frameworks, roofs, floors, doors, fitting exteriors and window frames. You work with your hands to help create visually and functionally pleasing structures that people will use for almost forever.
If you enjoy beautiful houses, buildings, and structures and enjoy working with your hands, beginning your career in construction as a carpenter may be just the job for you.
This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about starting your career in carpentry.
- Complete Year 10 or consider a pre-apprenticeship. Year 10 is generally enough to start a carpentry apprenticeship. A Certificate II pre-apprenticeship in building and construction can help you prepare, but it is not required.
- Find an employer. You must be employed as an apprentice to begin. 1300apprentice can employ you directly and place you with a host employer for your on-the-job training.
- Get your White Card before going on site. You need to complete general construction induction training and obtain a White Card before carrying out work on a construction site.
- Start your Certificate III in Carpentry (CPC30326). You train on the job with your host employer and complete the off-the-job component through TAFE, CIT or another registered training organisation.
- Complete the apprenticeship. Over approximately three to four years, you build the required competencies, earn award wages that generally increase as you progress and complete a nationally recognised trade qualification.
- Progress your career. After qualifying, you can work as a carpenter and build further experience towards supervision, running your own carpentry business or meeting the additional requirements for a builder’s licence.
Becoming a Carpenter through an Apprenticeship
A paid apprenticeship is the best way to become a carpenter in Australia. As a skill-focused career, a carpentry apprenticeship helps you implement and perfect your skills as you learn, with a mentor’s aid and supervision. During your training, you will learn the basics of carpentry, such as measuring and cutting wood and handling all the hand and power tools that carpenters use to complete the job.
As a carpentry apprentice, you start earning an income while you learn. Carpentry apprentices can also build up a portfolio of finished works and endorsements and connections through the work relationships made through on the job training.
Upon completing a carpentry apprenticeship, you will receive your Certificate III of Carpentry which qualifies you to work as a carpenter on structures and frameworks on job sites.
Responsibilities as a Carpenter Apprentice may include:
- Read plans, and interpret or implement specifications
- Take measurements and calculate accurate dimensions
- Handle power and hand tools
- Cut, shape and handle timber
- Repair frames and fittings
- Handle building exteriors like wall cladding, frames and doors
- Build frames, trusses and eaves
- Lay flooring
The Benefits of Becoming a Carpenter
Secure Income
Carpentry is a stable and secure profession that offers plenty of growth opportunities. As a carpenter, you will be able to use your hands, knowledge, and creativity to contribute to beautiful and functional structures with your woodwork. You will also be able to know that you have helped create something that will be used and enjoyed by people for years to come.
Be Your Own Boss
After finishing your apprenticeship as a carpenter, you become your own boss. All carpenters are self-employed or ergo operate as independent contractors at a work site. This gives you the freedom to ask for and control your payment rates, where you go, and the jobs you take on.
Work Outdoors
If you dread being stuck 9-5 in a desk job, carpentry is a job you will be able to reliably work outside with your hands. So you can always enjoy fresh air, get some sun, and keep moving to keep your mind and body fit. As a carpenter, you will be able to travel and see many more places, across Australia or the world.
Learn Transferable Skills
With all the changes and uncertainty that came with COVID-19, many workers and businesses realised just how crucial it was to be able to adapt quickly. Workplaces evolved by focusing on transferable skills, allowing people to feel more certainty about finding a great place to work. As a successful carpenter, the skills you gather lay the foundation for excellent transferable hard and physical skills like strength, precise-hand-eye coordination and mathematics, and soft skills like problem-solving, delegation, and teamwork.
Skills and licences you need
- White Card (construction induction) before working on site
- Accurate measuring, reading plans and basic maths
- Hand and power tool skills and safe manual handling
- Physical fitness, reliability and attention to detail
- A driver’s licence is useful for getting to job sites
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a carpenter?
A carpentry apprenticeship in Australia takes 3 to 4 years. You work and earn while you complete the Certificate III in Carpentry, with the exact length depending on your progress.
Do I need Certificate III in Carpentry to become a carpenter?
Yes, the Certificate III in Carpentry (CPC30326) is the nationally recognised trade qualification to become a carpenter, usually completed as an apprenticeship that combines paid work with off-the-job training.
Do I need a White Card or licence to do carpentry?
You do not need a White Card or licence to begin your apprenticeship but you do need a White Card (construction induction) before working on any site. Some building work later requires a builder’s or trade licence, which you can pursue once qualified.
How much does a carpentry apprentice earn?
Carpentry apprentices are paid award wages that increase each year of the apprenticeship, so you earn while you learn. See our explore salaries page for indicative rates by stage. For current pay rates in each year of the apprenticeship, read our guide to carpentry apprentice wages.
Can I become a carpenter without an apprenticeship?
The standard pathway to carpentry is an apprenticeship, because it combines paid on-the-job training with the qualification. 1300apprentice can employ you and place you with a host employer to get started.
Can a cabinet maker become a carpenter?
Yes, cabinetmaking and carpentry share transferable skills, and a cabinet maker can move into carpentry by completing the Certificate III in Carpentry, sometimes with recognition of prior learning.
Can I start a carpentry apprenticeship as a mature-age worker?
Yes, carpentry apprenticeships are open to mature-age career changers as well as school leavers. Age is not a barrier to starting.
Get Started
Every long and worthwhile journey starts with a single step. Start learning and working as a full-time carpentry apprentice.
Find available jobs or forward us your resume today.
