How to become a Wood Machinist
Cuts, planes, turns, shapes, lathes and sands wood stock to specifications.
Main tasks
- Sets up and operates woodworking machines and tools to produce wooden products
- Selects and measures wood stock to be cut, planed, turned, shaped, lathed or sanded
- Adjusts and calibrates woodworking machine settings to ensure accurate and precise cuts and shaping
- Monitors woodworking machine operation, and adjusts settings as necessary to maintain quality and efficiency
- Uses hand tools and power tools to shape and finish wood products
- Inspects finished wood products for defects and ensures they meet specifications
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Wood Machining. 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 Timber and Wood Products Operations (FWP30322); Certificate III in Wood Machining (FWP31121); Certificate III in Saw Technology (FWP31021)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $73,060 a year
- About 2,600 people work in this job group now, and about 2,800 are projected by 2035. (+6.1%)
- 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 Wood Machinist?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology; Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations; Certificate III in Wood Machining.
How much does a Wood Machinist earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $73,060 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Wood Machinist a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 2,600 to about 2,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Wood Machinist?
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 Timber and Wood Products Operations; Certificate III in Wood Machining.
Will AI change the work of a Wood Machinist?
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