How to become a Stonemason
Cuts and shapes hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs to construct and renovate stone structures, kitchen benchtops and monumental masonry.
Main tasks
- Studies plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures
- Measures, marks dimensions, outlines, splits, cuts, shapes and finishes stone blocks and masonry slabs using hand tools and machinery
- Sets out and cuts letters and designs into stone
- Lays stone blocks and large masonry slabs to construct structures such as walls, arches and pillars, ensuring they are level and plumb
- Constructs and installs stone construction elements such as benchtops and splashbacks
- Assesses damage to and repairs stonework, including on old or heritage buildings and monuments
- May design, cut and install monumental masonry
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Stonemasonry. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Stonemasonry (CPC32320); Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying (CPC33020); Certificate II in Construction Pathways (CPC20220)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $120,484 a year
- About 26,600 people work in this job group now, and about 29,200 are projected by 2035. (+9.8%)
- 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 Stonemason?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Stonemasonry; Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying; Certificate III in Stonemasonry.
How much does a Stonemason earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $120,484 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Stonemason a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 26,600 to about 29,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Stonemason?
Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Stonemasonry; Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying; Certificate III in Stonemasonry.
Will AI change the work of a Stonemason?
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