How to become a Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker
Operates machines to apply gelcoat, colouring and fibre-reinforced plastic to moulds to produce fibreglass and laminated products.
Main tasks
- Sets up and prepares machines for reinforced plastics production
- Checks all templates, moulds and cut-out patterns to be used in the manufacturing process to ensure that they conform to specifications
- Applies gelcoat, colouring and fibre-reinforced plastic to moulds according to specifications
- Monitors and adjusts machine settings to ensure proper application of materials
- Ensures the correct applications of mixtures for effective setting of resins and gelcoats
- Checks completed products for conformance to specifications and to identify any deficiencies
- Repairs or modifies damaged or defective fibreglass parts to ensure they are fit for purpose
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Engineering - Composites Trade (MEM31119); Certificate III in Polymer Processing (PMB30121); Advanced Diploma of Manufacturing Technology (MSA60108); Diploma of Engineering - Materials (MEM50522); Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping (MEM50622); Diploma of Manufacturing Technology (MSA50108); Diploma of Polymer Technology (PMB50121); Certificate II in Process Manufacturing (MSM20116)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $88,816 a year
- About 7,300 people work in this job group now, and about 7,700 are projected by 2035. (+5.1%)
- 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 Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Composites Trade; Certificate III in Polymer Processing.
How much does a Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $88,816 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 7,300 to about 7,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker?
Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Composites Trade; Certificate III in Polymer Processing.
Will AI change the work of a Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production 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