How to become a Funeral Worker

Assists in the preparation of funerals and maintenance of funeral venues.

Main tasks

• Assists Funeral Directors to plan, coordinate and run funeral services
• Sets up and decorates the funeral venue
• Transports the deceased to and from funeral homes, hospitals and other locations
• Cleans and maintains funeral homes and equipment
• May assist in preparing the deceased for viewing, burial or cremation

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Cemetery and Crematorium Operations (SIF30113); Certificate III in Funeral Operations (SIF30313); Certificate IV in Embalming (SIF40213); Certificate IV in Funeral Services (SIF40113); Certificate II in Funeral Operations (SIF20113)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 5,100 people work in this job group now, and about 5,600 are projected by 2035. (+10.1%)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Civil Celebrant
• Funeral Director
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Questions people ask

How do I become a Funeral Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Cemetery and Crematorium Operations; Certificate III in Funeral Operations.

Is a Funeral Worker a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 5,100 to about 5,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Funeral Worker?

Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Cemetery and Crematorium Operations; Certificate III in Funeral Operations.

Will AI change the work of a Funeral Worker?

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