Occupation Description

Cabinetmakers make or repair furniture from solid timber, flat-panel or timber-based products.

Cabinetmakers may…

Cabinetmakers may specialise in particular areas such as reproduction of antique furniture, kitchen fittings, bedroom suites, office furniture, dining suites, shop fittings and occasional furniture.

A cabinetmaker may also specialise as a Musical Instrument Maker who builds, repairs and restores wooden musical instruments, and adjusts or alters them to meet the owners' specifications.

Personal Requirements

You should

Environment

Many cabinetmakers are employed by firms, both large and small, that manufacture wood products such as furniture, wooden structural fittings and pre-fabricated wooden components. The work will usually occur in a factory or workshop environment. Some experienced cabinetmakers establish their own businesses. Business success in cabinetmaking, like all enterprises, depends as much on sales skills and customer service as on craft skills, and therefore some business skills training might be of benefit. There can also be considerable costs involved.

Training

To become a cabinetmaker you usually have to complete an apprenticeship, Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making).

Of course you can work at even higher levels within this occupation and sector . With experience and sometimes further training, a cabinetmaker may be promoted to the position of workshop supervisor (Certificate IV in Furnishing Technology) or manager (Diploma of Furnishing Technology). Experience, capital investment and perhaps some management training will assist cabinetmakers to also establish their own business.

With further training and experience you can continue to progress along a career pathway that could see you in many senior management positions.

Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making)

Earnings, Job and Employment Prospects

For detailed information about earnings, job and employment prospects for this occupation, go to the Australian JobSearch Careers page and click on Job Outlook .

Printed Resources

The INFOSHEET PDFs provide information about the Manufacturing Industry and its various sectors and occupations. To view and print these documents click RESOURCES (you will need to have Adobe Reader ® installed).

Where Can I Go From This Job?

To find out more about potential Manufacturing career possibilities click PATHWAYS.