How to become a Shopfitter
Fits out shops and other commercial premises by fabricating, assembling and installing shopfronts, cabinets, showcases, counters and workstations using substances such as plastic, glass, metal, wood and composite materials.
Main tasks
- Specifies, orders and prepares materials for fitouts, including business-specific equipment, fixtures and fittings
- Prepares detailed, accurate design plans for fitouts using drawings, sketches or computer software
- Sets out, fabricates and assembles shopfronts, commercial entries, bulkheads, component fittings, cabinets, showcases, wall units and workstations
- Constructs and erects wall and ceiling framing, including installing internal linings, assembling partition frames and installing curtain walling
- Schedules and coordinates other tradespeople such as Electricians, Plumbers and Painters required to complete the fitout
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Shopfitting. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (MSF30322); Certificate III in Shopfitting (CPC30120); Certificate III in Interior Decoration Retail Services (MSF31018); Certificate III in Joinery (CPC31920)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $91,520 a year
- About 149,300 people work in this job group now, and about 165,600 are projected by 2035. (+10.9%)
- 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 Shopfitter?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology; Certificate III in Shopfitting; Certificate III in Shopfitting.
How much does a Shopfitter earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $91,520 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Shopfitter a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 149,300 to about 165,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Shopfitter?
Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology; Certificate III in Shopfitting; Certificate III in Shopfitting.
Will AI change the work of a Shopfitter?
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