Upholsterers make, rebuild and repair upholstered articles such as chairs, sofas, beds, and mattresses.

Skill Level

3

Specialisations

• Furniture Upholsterer
• Mattress Maker

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Upholsterer is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Must have successfully completed an AQF Qualification either a Certificate III in Upholstery or formal training that is comparable
• Must possess skills that are current to Australian industry standards demonstrated by 12 months full time employment or equivalent part-time in the occupation in the previous three years
• If you have obtained a qualification internationally or an Australian qualification that was not through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full time or equivalent post-qualification experience
• If you have obtained an Australian qualification issued through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full-time or equivalent post-qualification experience OR 6 years full-time or equivalent experience which can be either pre- or post-qualification

Make, rebuild and repair upholstered articles such as chairs, sofas, beds and mattresses.

Tasks

• Conferring with clients to determine materials and cost of furniture items to be made or repaired
• Making and repairing wooden frames, and removing and replacing defective springs
• Removing coverings, webbing and padding from old furniture
• Securing material, padding, springs and webbing to articles to be upholstered
• Measuring and cutting materials and covering furniture
• Seaming cushions and joining sections of covering material
• Attaching ornamental trims, braids and buttons
• Padding and covering spring units to upholster mattresses
• May finish wooden surfaces on furniture
• May remove stains from fabric

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia:
AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand:
NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Occupations in this Group

• 393311 Upholsterer