How to become a Dressmaker or Tailor
Makes, alters and repairs tailored garments, formal wear, couturier clothing and special occasion wear such as suits, dresses, coats, head wear, evening wear and bridal wear.
Main tasks
- Consults with clients to determine design preferences and fabric choices for customised garments
- Measures clients to determine their body measurements
- Sews garments together using sewing machines, sergers and hand stitching techniques
- Fits garments on clients and makes necessary alterations for an accurate fit
- Adds finishing touches to garments such as buttons, zippers and decorative elements
- Repairs or performs alterations on existing garments, such as resizing, replacing buttons, mending tears and fixing seams to meet client needs
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Apparel and Fashion (MST40222); Certificate IV in Millinery (MST40416); Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles (MST31022); Certificate III in Millinery (MST30316)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- About 8,000 people work in this job group now, and about 8,800 are projected by 2035. (+10%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Dressmaker or Tailor?
Ways in include: Certificate IV in Apparel and Fashion; Certificate IV in Millinery.
Is a Dressmaker or Tailor a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 8,000 to about 8,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Dressmaker or Tailor?
Usually not. Only 18% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Apparel and Fashion; Certificate IV in Millinery.
Will AI change the work of a Dressmaker or Tailor?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04