How to become a Stonemason

Duties & Tasks of a Stonemason

Stonemasons:

• Cut and shape stone using machine or hand tools, taking into account the characteristics of the stone being used
• Cut and polish granite and marble for use in construction, such as for kitchen bench tops and bathroom vanity units
• Design, cut and carve monumental masonry, such as memorial tablets and bases for statues, using templates for detailed work and a variety of chisels, punches and hammers, depending on the type of stone being used
• Cut lettering into stonework by marking out the letters and then cutting or chiselling them with hand-held tools or sandblasting equipment
• Construct walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks
• Lay stone paving
• Lay granite or marble floor tiles
• Fix stone facades to buildings
• Repair and replace stonework on old buildings, churches and monuments.

Tasks

• Cuts, shapes, and polishes stones and bricks using machines and hand tools, and shapes bricks to fit irregular spaces.
• Checks vertical and horizontal alignment.
• Erects scaffolding.
• Constructs walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks.
• Seals foundations with damp resistant materials and spreads layers of mortar to serve as base and binder for blocks, using trowels.
• Repairs and maintains bricks, cement blocks and related structures.
• Studies plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures.
• Designs and cuts monumental masonry including lettering.

Working conditions for a Stonemason

Stonemasons often work in a noisy environment.

Employment Opportunities for a Stonemason

Stonemasons are employed by construction companies to work on stone structures and by monument fabricators to make monuments and carve lettering. Some are self-employed. Stonemasonry is a small and specialised trade either focusing on the renovation and maintenance of old buildings or on monumental masonry. The use of masonry in construction has largely been superseded by modern techniques.Demand is also affected by the number of restoration programs for old buildings and the trend for commercial stone facades, as well as stone and terrazzo furniture and components. The nature of a stonemason's job changes with the introduction of new techniques in cutting and forming stonework, requiring stonemasons to keep up to date with advanced equipment and the skills required to operate it.

Specializations

Stonemason

Stonemasons cut and shape hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs for the construction and renovation of stone structures and monumental masonry (stonework for cemeteries).

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  Average age

  38

• 

  Future Growth

  N/A

• 

  Gender Share

  1% female

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  Average full-time

  42 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  N/A

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  Skill level rating

  Medium skill

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  Unemployment

  Lower unemployment

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  Full-Time Share

  79%

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  Employment Size

  4,800

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  Employment by state

  ACT: 1.9%
  NSW: 31.8%
  NT: 0.4%
  QLD: 17.3%
  SA: 6.2%
  TAS: 1.5%
  VIC: 24.7%
  WA: 16.2%
  
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  Age brackets

  15-19: 4.1%
  20-24: 11.1%
  25-34: 27.2%
  35-44: 25.4%
  45-54: 19.9%
  55-59: 6.4%
  60-64: 3.6%
  65 and Over: 2.3%
  
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  Education level

  Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4%
  Bachelor degree: 3.4%
  Certificate III/IV: 43.7%
  Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.5%
  Year 10 and below: 20.9%
  Year 11: 6.8%
  Year 12: 20.7%