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Study Wall & Floor Tiling

Career Outcomes

Wall & Floor Tiler (333411): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Industry Overview

The construction industry is a significant driver of economic activity in Australia and is projected to grow by 2.4% in the next 5 years. It employs close to 1.2 million people and has the largest number of small businesses in Australia. Construction workers are employed in both residential and commercial sectors, and are involved in site preparation, building installation and structure services. The majority of workers in the sector are employed as carpenters and joiners, followed by construction managers and plumbers (Source: IBISWorld)

The number of people working as Wall and Floor Tilers (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years: from 15,400 in 2014 to 26,200 in 2019.

Insights

Average weekly earnings:  $1,330 per week

Mode of work: Most work full-time (76%)

Hours per week: full-time workers spend around 43 hours/ week at work.

Age: the average age is 37 years.

Gender: 2% workers are female

(Source: Job Outlook, historical figures)

Qualification Needed

Workers usually need a certificate III in wall and floor tiling.

Course Overview

Wall and floor tilers lay ceramic, clay, slate, marble and glass tiles on external and internal walls and floors to provide protective and decorative finishes. Studies in wall and floor tiling will teach you how to carry out measurements and calculations, apply levelling procedures, repair wall and floor tiles and lay tiles on various surfaces.

Course Requirements

Most institutions require completion of Australian Year 11 or 12 (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score less than 5.

Costs

A 2-year packaged trade course costs between $12,000 and $19,000 per year, depending on the institution.

Career Outcomes

Wall & Floor Tiler

Studying Wall and Floor Tiling in Australia: What the Course Covers

Wall and floor tiling courses teach you to prepare surfaces and lay ceramic, porcelain, stone, glass and mosaic tiles on internal and external walls and floors. You learn to read plans and calculate quantities, prepare and level substrates, install waterproofing in wet areas, set out and cut tiles, apply adhesives and grout, install tiles on stairs, pools and feature areas, repair and replace tiles, and work safely with tools, silica dust and on construction sites. Most training is practical in a workshop.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling AQF 3 Qualified wall and floor tiler; the core trade qualification
Certificate IV in Building and Construction AQF 4 Site supervisor and small builder roles after gaining trade experience

Study Pathways

International students usually complete the Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling, often packaged with a Certificate IV in Building and Construction. A trade skills assessment through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) generally requires paid work experience as well as your qualification, so working in the tiling industry is important. Waterproofing work is licensed or regulated in some states, so check the local rules if you plan to work in wet areas.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Wall and Floor Tiler 333411 Yes MLTSSL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for wall and floor tilers.

Career Outlook

Tilers work in residential construction, renovation, commercial fit out and bathroom and kitchen specialists, and many are self employed subcontractors. Housing construction and renovation activity drives demand, and tilers are needed in both cities and regional areas.

What You Do in a Tiling Course

Most of a wall and floor tiling course is spent in a workshop on full size practice bays. A typical course moves through these stages:

  • Preparation: reading plans and specifications, measuring areas, calculating tile, adhesive and grout quantities and preparing substrates such as concrete, sheeting and screeds.
  • Waterproofing: installing membranes, bond breakers and falls to waste in showers, bathrooms and balconies, which is the most important skill for preventing leaks.
  • Setting out and laying: planning the layout so cuts are even, laying wall and floor tiles to line and level, mitring corners and installing trims.
  • Specialised work: large format porcelain, natural stone, mosaics, stairs, pools and external paving.
  • Repairs and safety: removing and replacing damaged tiles, controlling silica dust when cutting, manual handling and safe use of wet saws and grinders.

Working as a Tiler in Australia

Before you work on any building site you need a General Construction Induction Card (White Card), which is recognised across Australia. Many tilers work as subcontractors for builders and bathroom renovation companies, which means quoting jobs, carrying insurance and holding an ABN. Builders look for tilers who can show neat, watertight wet area work, so photographs of your completed jobs are a useful record for future employers, licensing and skills assessments.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Tiling

Tiling is a hands on trade, so your application should explain any building or renovation work you have done and why you want to become a qualified tiler in Australia. Current English, financial and work conditions are on our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Wall and Floor Tiling Study FAQs

Yes. As at October 2026, Wall and Floor Tiler (333411) is on both the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the MLTSSL. That gives qualified tilers a wider choice of visas than many trades, from employer sponsorship to points tested skilled visas, provided you hold a suitable skills assessment and the experience each visa requires.

It can. Because Wall and Floor Tiler is on the MLTSSL, the Certificate III can support the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream (generally 18 months) if you hold a TRA skills assessment for the occupation and meet the age and English rules. For Australian trained tradespeople this usually starts with a Provisional Skills Assessment under TRA’s Job Ready Program. A packaged building and construction certificate is less closely related, so the tiling qualification is the one that counts.

In most cases, yes. TRA assessments look at your qualification and your paid employment in the trade. Working in tiling during and after your course helps you build that evidence.

A Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling packaged with related study commonly takes around one to two years for international students, depending on the provider. Your CoE will show the exact dates.

In several states waterproofing of wet areas, or residential tiling work above a set value, needs a licence or must be done by a licensed contractor. The rules differ between states, so check with the building regulator in the state where you plan to work.

Related guides

Am I eligible for a Student visa? Student Visa Funds Calculator Study a Trade Course Assessment Study a Uni Course Assessment

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