How to become a Furniture Finisher
Applies finishes such as stain, lacquer, paint, oil and varnish to furniture, and polishes and waxes finished furniture surfaces.
Main tasks
- Prepares furniture surfaces for finishing by sanding, scraping or stripping old finishes
- Mixes and applies stains, lacquers, paints, oils or varnishes to furniture surfaces
- Uses brushes, spray guns or other tools to apply finishes evenly and smoothly
- Inspects finished furniture surfaces for quality and makes any necessary touch-ups or repairs
- Polishes and waxes finished furniture surfaces to enhance shine and protect the finish
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Furniture Finishing. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Furniture Finishing (MSF30122); Certificate II in Furniture Making Pathways (MSF20522)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $73,060 a year
- About 2,600 people work in this job group now, and about 2,800 are projected by 2035. (+6.1%)
- 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.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Furniture Finisher?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Furniture Finishing; Certificate II in Furniture Making Pathways; Certificate III in Furniture Finishing.
How much does a Furniture Finisher earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $73,060 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Furniture Finisher a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 2,600 to about 2,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Furniture Finisher?
Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Furniture Finishing; Certificate II in Furniture Making Pathways; Certificate III in Furniture Finishing.
Will AI change the work of a Furniture Finisher?
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