How to become a Visual Merchandiser
Plans and installs internal, window and fixed displays to show goods to their best advantage.
Main tasks
- Designs and creates visual displays to optimise product visibility and overall customer engagement
- Collaborates with marketing and sales teams to develop display concepts
- Selects and arranges props, lighting and signage to enhance displays
- Installs and maintains displays, ensuring they are visually appealing and in line with brand guidelines
- Conducts market research to stay updated on current trends and competitor displays
- Trains and guides store staff on maintaining and updating displays
- May use digital systems (planograms) and 3D models to develop and install visual displays
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Visual Merchandising (SIR60221); Certificate III in Retail (SIR30216); Diploma of Retail Merchandise Management (SIR50317); Diploma of Visual Merchandising (SIR50217); Certificate III in Interior Decoration Retail Services (MSF31018); Certificate II in Retail Services (SIR20216)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $62,400 a year
- About 8,200 people work in this job group now, and about 8,600 are projected by 2035. (+4.3%)
- 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 Visual Merchandiser?
Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Visual Merchandising; Certificate III in Retail.
How much does a Visual Merchandiser earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $62,400 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Visual Merchandiser a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 8,200 to about 8,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Visual Merchandiser?
Usually not. Only 20% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Visual Merchandising; Certificate III in Retail.
Will AI change the work of a Visual Merchandiser?
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