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Occupation Details

Craftsperson


(Craft Practitioner)

Fact Sheet

Fixing and forming a handle on a ceramic cup

Fixing and forming a handle on a ceramic cup

Craftspersons design, make and repair objects which have both functional and artistic qualities, working in wood, metal, glass, leather, ceramics, textiles and other materials.

Duties and Tasks

A craftsperson may perform the following tasks:

  • design the style and shape of objects
  • use and manipulate materials to make objects according to the design
  • finish objects to enhance their artistic and/or practical qualities
  • repair damaged or defective craft objects.

Specialisations

A potter/ceramicist moulds clay into functional items such as mugs, bowls and tableware or conceptual (idea-based) works by wheel throwing, moulding or hand building. They then mix glazing materials to decorate pieces, using various techniques, and apply the glaze. They put the finished or decorated pieces in kilns for firing and may add other decoration after firing for artistic effect.
A leather craftsperson designs, makes and decorates saddlery, gloves, shoes, bags and soft furnishings.
A metal/jewellery worker works with copper, brass, nickel, pewter, gold, silver and other metals to create jewellery and utensils such as enamelware and cutlery. They may weld, patinate, cast, beat, construct and manipulate materials to suit the design.
A glass craftsperson may work with hot glass (glassblowing and casting), warm glass (fusing and slumping) or cold glass (stained glass and leadlighting) to produce glassware and decorative items.
A wood craftsperson may carve, turn on a lathe, laminate, inlay, construct, sandpaper and sculpt wood to produce items such as sculptures, decorative wall panels, furniture, picture frames, jewellery boxes and eating utensils. They also restore and copy antique ornaments and furniture.
A fibre textile worker may work with weaving, felting, embroidery, stitchery, quilting, dyeing, printing and garment design to create articles of clothing, finishings and decorative items. They may also do lacemaking, tapestry, collage, basketry, knitting, crochet, rugmaking, knotting, bookbinding and fabric painting.

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of HOME ECONOMICS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a home economics-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake.
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather.
Included are jobs in the visual and graphic arts, in the crafts and in the performing arts, such as music, theatre, radio, film & television, as well as general entertainment and sporting jobs.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS, to creatively express, present or perform them. An appreciation of design, style, form, beauty or related concepts used to develop or interpret an idea are important. Activities include writing, painting, singing, dancing, decorating, designing and performing.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree, or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study, such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.

Personal Requirements

  • artistic design skills
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • promotional skills
  • business skills if self-employed.

Earnings

View graphic version of earnings

Income (gross) of persons working full-time, 2006 - Craftsperson

Weekly Income RangeNumber of jobsPercent of Market
$1000 or more62616.27
$800 to $99947212.27
$600 to $79956814.76
$400 to $59984521.97
less than $4001,33634.73

Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006 - Craftsperson

Employment StatusWeekly Income (gross) $
Full-time
Part-time443

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Using a torch to produce finely detailed glass pieces

Using a torch to produce finely detailed glass pieces

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