How to become a Signwriter

Designs, fabricates, paints and wraps signs for displays, buildings, hoardings, boats and structures.

Main tasks

• Consults with clients and responds to proposals, sketches and written instructions to determine composition of signs
• Designs and creates signs and illustrations using computer software and signmaking machines
• Designs and creates murals, screen prints, gold leaf work and vinyl sign writing
• Applies vinyl wrapping to a variety of media
• Prints and plots on laminate and other paper types
• Measures and calculates letter size, prepares the surface, and applies background paint using brushes, sprays and rollers
• Paints signs and letters using lacquers, varnishes, paints and other materials on brick, metal, timber, glass, plastic and other surfaces
• May make three-dimensional signs

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Signs and Graphics. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Signs and Graphics (CPC30216)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 6,600 people work in this job group now, and about 7,300 are projected by 2035. (+10.2%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Gallery or Museum Technician
• Library Technician
• Audio Engineer
• Broadcast Technician
• Camera Operator (Film, Television or Video)
• Lighting Technician

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Signwriter?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Signs and Graphics; Certificate III in Signs and Graphics.

Is a Signwriter a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 6,600 to about 7,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Signwriter?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Signs and Graphics; Certificate III in Signs and Graphics.

Will AI change the work of a Signwriter?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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