Upholsterers in Australia typically work in specialised workshops or furniture manufacturing facilities, collaborating closely with designers and carpenters to bring furniture concepts to life. Their day-to-day tasks include restoring antique pieces, crafting custom furniture, and applying intricate fabric designs. Unique to Australian practice is the emphasis on using sustainable, locally-sourced materials, which sets it apart from other countries.
Upholsterer is a skilled occupation on Australia's Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). This occupation is eligible for the points-tested Subclass 190 and 491 visas (state or territory nomination required). It is not currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and therefore not eligible for employer-sponsored visas via the standard 482 Core Skills stream.
Furniture manufacturing companies in Victoria are actively hiring Upholsterers. The strong demand is driven by the Australian Government's $50 million investment in the furniture manufacturing sector to boost local production and export capabilities. Employers find it hardest to source Upholsterers skilled in traditional hand-stitching techniques.
In Australia, upholsterers are often required to adhere to stringent fire safety standards for fabrics and fillings, such as those outlined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3744, which may not be as rigorously enforced or specified in countries like the UK, South Africa, India, or the Philippines. Upholsterers from these countries might be accustomed to broader compliance guidelines that allow for a wider range of materials without detailed testing against specific fire retardancy criteria. To effectively integrate, an overseas-trained upholsterer should prioritise gaining familiarity with local material suppliers who provide certified fire-resistant products and invest time in understanding the nuances of these standards to ensure compliance from the outset.
Upholsterers see significant pay increases through attaining specialist qualifications in advanced textile or leather work, which are highly valued in the industry. The role of Senior Upholstery Designer is particularly well-compensated due to the high demand for bespoke furniture design expertise. In Western Australia, Upholsterers earn slightly less than their New South Wales counterparts, which reflects the general wage trend across these states.
New South Wales shows strong demand due to a boom in luxury apartment developments requiring bespoke interiors. Queensland's growth in custom marine upholstery services is driving demand there.
No national licence exists for Upholsterers in Australia; state regulations apply to safety and compliance standards.
VETASSESS assesses overseas qualifications based on comparability to AQF Certificate III or higher, and employers often expect a bridging course if discrepancies are found.
Upholsterers can progress to roles such as Senior Upholstery Designer or Workshop Manager. Pathways include gaining experience and additional qualifications in specialised techniques.
Entry AUD $50,000 → Senior AUD $95,000, driven by specialisation and geographic demand disparities.
Navigating the Australian safety standards for upholstery materials is a significant barrier for overseas-trained Upholsterers.
The five-year outlook for Upholsterers is positive, driven by the growing popularity of custom-designed furniture and the sustainability trend in interior design.
Sustainability is a major focus in Australian upholstery workshops.
The points test is moderately competitive for Upholsterers due to demand in urban areas, while employer sponsorship is more accessible in regional settings.
The current occupation mapping identifies 2 potential skilled visa pathways. A listed pathway is not an approval or guarantee; the applicant must satisfy every requirement applying to that subclass.
These occupation-explorer estimates compare entry, experienced and senior salary levels across Australia. They are planning figures rather than job offers and should be checked against current vacancies, awards and employer terms.
| State or territory | Entry salary | Experienced salary | Senior salary | Demand | Regional context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | AUD$62,000 | AUD$85,000 | AUD$110,000 | High | Check current state and regional employer demand. |
| Victoria | AUD$60,000 | AUD$82,000 | AUD$106,000 | High | Check current state and regional employer demand. |
| Queensland | AUD$56,000 | AUD$77,000 | AUD$100,000 | High | Regional areas offer 491 nomination, reduced cost of living and faster invitations |
| Western Australia | AUD$60,000 | AUD$82,000 | AUD$107,000 | High | State nomination available; mining sector drives strong demand |
| South Australia | AUD$54,000 | AUD$74,000 | AUD$96,000 | Medium | SA Skilled & Business migration, competitive 190/491 quotas |
| Tasmania | AUD$51,000 | AUD$71,000 | AUD$91,000 | Medium | 491 regional visa available; lifestyle benefits and lower living costs |
| Australian Capital Territory | AUD$65,000 | AUD$89,000 | AUD$116,000 | Medium | High government and defence sector demand |
| Northern Territory | AUD$57,000 | AUD$78,000 | AUD$101,000 | Low | NT nomination available; remote area incentives |
State and territory nomination allocations indicate programme capacity, not places reserved for Upholsterer. Applicants must confirm that their occupation is open and meet the jurisdiction's current criteria before relying on a Subclass 190 or 491 pathway.
| State or territory | Subclass 190 places | Subclass 491 places | Nomination context |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 2,500 | 0 | NSW nomination available for select occupations. Check NSW Skills List. |
| Victoria | 2,000 | 0 | Victoria State Nomination (VSNP) program. Competitive quotas. |
| Queensland | 1,200 | 1,800 | Queensland Skilled Migration, separate 190 and 491 streams. |
| Western Australia | 1,500 | 500 | WA State Nomination, strong demand in mining, engineering, health. |
| South Australia | 1,000 | 1,200 | SA Skilled & Business program, open occupation list. |
| Tasmania | 500 | 800 | Tasmania 491 covers the whole state; 190 for critical occupations. |
| Australian Capital Territory | 600 | 0 | ACT Critical Skills and Graduate pathways. High competition. |
| Northern Territory | 200 | 600 | NT nomination, remote area incentives and dedicated quotas. |
The assessing authority is TRA. A skills assessment compares overseas qualifications and employment history with the Australian standard for ANZSCO 393213. Applicants normally need identity documents, academic certificates and transcripts, detailed employer references, proof of paid employment and certified translations where applicable.
Assessment rules differ by authority and occupation. Some authorities require English testing, professional registration, supervised practice, competency demonstrations or a technical interview. Applicants should use the authority's current checklist and ensure that duties in employment references align with the nominated occupation rather than relying only on a job title.
Published processing ranges change with application volumes and individual complexity. The figures below are planning ranges used by the occupation explorer. They begin after a valid visa application is lodged and do not include time needed for English testing, skills assessment, Expression of Interest, nomination or sponsorship.
| Visa pathway | 75% planning range | 90% planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated | 5–7 months | 12–24 months |
| Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional | 4–8 months | 10–18 months |
Typical duration: 1–3 months
Check occupation on MLTSSL/STSOL lists, identify assessing authority, research state nomination options, calculate migration points score.
Typical duration: 3–12 months
Submit application to the relevant assessing authority. Gather qualifications, employment evidence and references.
Typical duration: 1–24 months
Lodge EOI in SkillSelect. Wait for an invitation to apply based on your points score. Higher scores are invited first.
Typical duration: 6–36 months
Lodge formal visa application with Department of Home Affairs. Undergo health examinations and police clearances.
Typical duration: 1–3 months
Book flights, arrange accommodation, open an Australian bank account, research your destination city.
Typical duration: Ongoing
Activate your visa by entering Australia. Begin building your life, applying for work, and accessing services.
Yes. Upholsterer (ANZSCO 393213) is on Australia's Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Its list placement determines which points-tested, state-nominated, regional or employer-sponsored pathways may be available. List placement alone does not guarantee a visa: applicants must also meet age, English, skills assessment, points, nomination or sponsorship requirements for the selected subclass.
The occupation data currently identifies Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) as potential pathways for Upholsterer. Each pathway has separate eligibility rules. State nomination depends on the relevant state list and invitation settings, while employer-sponsored pathways require a qualifying position and an approved sponsoring employer.
TRA is the assessing authority shown for Upholsterer. A positive skills assessment is generally required before lodging an Expression of Interest for points-tested skilled migration. Applicants should confirm the authority's current qualification, employment evidence, English, registration and document requirements before applying because assessment criteria can change.
The occupation explorer estimates New South Wales earnings from AUD$62,000 at entry level to AUD$85,000 for an experienced worker, with senior roles around AUD$110,000. Actual pay depends on location, employer, industry, registration, specialisation and experience. Regional positions may combine a different base salary with allowances or lower living costs.
Subclass 189, 190 and 491 applicants need at least 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest, but 65 does not guarantee an invitation. Competitive invitation scores can be higher. Points are awarded for age, English proficiency, qualifications, skilled work experience, Australian study and other factors, with state nomination adding points for Subclass 190 or 491.
A positive assessment from TRA is required for most points-tested pathways connected to Upholsterer. The authority examines qualifications and employment evidence against Australian standards. Processing often takes several months, so applicants should prepare detailed references, payslips, tax evidence, transcripts and certified identity documents before submitting.
Subclass 190 grants permanent residence after state or territory nomination. Subclass 491 is provisional and may lead to permanent residence through Subclass 191 after meeting regional requirements. Eligibility depends on the applicant's complete circumstances and the rules in force when invited or applying.
A complete skilled migration journey can take two to four years. Skills assessment may take three to twelve months, followed by an uncertain wait for an invitation or nomination. After invitation, visa processing varies by subclass and caseload. Health examinations, police clearances, employer sponsorship and requests for further information can extend the timeline.
An AQF Certificate III in Upholstery or a comparable qualification assessed by VETASSESS is required for most positions.
There is no national licence; however, compliance with state-specific safety and consumer standards is mandatory.
Experienced Upholsterers in NSW can earn around AUD $85,000, while in WA, the salary is approximately AUD $82,000.
Gaining expertise in bespoke design and obtaining specialised qualifications in advanced techniques can lead to senior roles.