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  4. Job Profile: Fibrous Plasterer

Fibrous Plasterer

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Job Prospects
Openings 5 years to November 2019: 10,001 to 25,000
Salary
Median weekly earnings: $921 to $1050
Source
Australian Government Department of Employment 2014
Brief
If you enjoy working with your hands and find yourself admiring the skill that's gone in to creating the decorative finishes on walls and ceilings, you may wish to consider the job of a plasterer.

There are currently around 2000 fibrous plasterers employed in South Australia. Employment is largely full-time and most work in the construction industry.

Most persons in this occupation are male and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This occupation has a younger age profile with only around a quarter of workers aged 45 years or older.

  • Introduction

    Whether you're building or renovating, an important part of your construction team will be the plasterer. Plasterers apply plaster, cement or similar mixtures to the walls of buildings to create smooth or textured finishes. They handle minor jobs, such as sealing a crack in the wall of a building, or major jobs such as plastering all interior or exterior walls of a building.

  • Education Requirements

    Although approximately 54% of plasterers have no post school qualifications 38% have either a Certificate III or Certificate IV. These qualifications give you the advantage when applying for a job.

    Relevant TAFE SA courses include Certificate II Program in Construction (Bricklaying, Tiling and Plastering).

    SA Apprenticeships are available in this occupation for further information go to the Traineeship & Apprenticeship Services Website at http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/apprenticeships-traineeships or phone the Freecall number 1800 673 097.

  • Career Path

    As well as working in the building and construction industry, plasterers also find work with manufacturers of plaster products. Most plasterers are employed on a subcontract basis or are self employed.

    The demand for fibrous plasterers depends on activity in the building industry, in particular the housing sector. It is a large occupation with reasonable employment prospects.

    Trade qualifications are sought after, but are not essential. Demand is subject to changes in building activity. Qualified tradespeople are less likely to be affected by downturns in demand.

  • Nature of the Job

    Fibrous plasterers make, apply and fix the internal linings of walls and ceilings. Plaster is used to make a sheet or board, which is then applied to the stud frame (hollow wall) of a building. But before this is done, fibrous plasterers measure out the wall or surface to be lined, and install insulation or moisture barriers where needed. The plasterboard is also measured and cut, and then secured to a wall or surface. Any joins are sealed with wet plaster and the surface is smoothed using a wet brush or sandpaper. They also install decorative mouldings or fittings to a building's interior.

  • Typical Physical Working Environment

    Fibrous plasterers are involved in a physically demanding job. They must enjoy practical work and working with their hands. They need to have good hand-eye coordination and are able to work at heights. They also must be able to work neatly and accurately and able to read and interpret plans.

  • Typical Occupational Example

    'It's a very old fashioned technique. It may occur in some heritage-listed buildings but generally, modern plastering techniques that are consistent with heritage construction are used,'' says a spokesman. From a plasterer's perspective their day usually starts around 7.30am. The labourers generally start mixing the cement, and the first coat of plaster is applied. Before it's dry, it has to be stripped to create a flat surface. When cement dries, it dries fast, so you've just got to keep going. Then another coat of plaster is applied and that's pretty much the pattern throughout the whole day,' says a self-employed plasterer.

    For further information, contact:

    Construction Industry Training Board SA
    Phone: (08) 8172 9500
    Email: citb@citb.org.au
    Website: www.citb.org.au

    Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries SA
    Phone: (08) 8207 1293
    Email: adminsa@awci.org.au
    Website: www.awci.org.au