How to become a Tiler - Wall and Floor
Wall and floor tilers lay ceramic, clay, slate, marble, glass and other types of tiles on external and internal walls and floors to provide protective and decorative finishes.
Personal requirements for a Tiler - Wall and Floor
- Enjoy practical and manual activities
- Able to work at heights
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Able to make simple calculations
- Able to work independently
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
- Able to work neatly and accurately
Education & Training for a Tiler - Wall and Floor
To become a wall and floor tiler you usually have to complete an apprenticeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Additional information
In some states and territories, wall and floor tilers carrying out work valued at more than a certain value must either be registered as, or work under the supervision of a registered building practitioner. All those who work in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC).
Duties & Tasks of a Tiler - Wall and Floor
Wall and floor tilers:
- Look at plans, measure and mark surfaces to be covered and lay out work
- Prepare wall and floor surfaces by removing old tiles, grout, cement and adhesive
- Use tile-cutting tools to cut and shape tiles needed for edges, corners, or around obstacles such as fittings and pipes
- Attach tiles to surfaces, using correct adhesive, making sure that patterned tiles match
- Space and even the tiles by using tools such as spirit levels, squares and plumb-lines
- Prepare and apply grout, remove excess grout, clean and polish tiles
- Lay floors of cement, granolithic, terrazzo or similar composition
- Apply waterproofing systems.
Tasks
- Applying waterproofing systems
- Preparing wall and floor surfaces by removing old tiles, grout and adhesive, filling holes and cracks, and cleaning surfaces
- May lay floors of granolithic, terrazzo, cement or similar composition
- Grouting tiles, and cleaning and removing excess grout
- Ensuring tiles are correctly aligned and spaced
- Examining plans, measuring and marking surfaces and laying out work
- May lay coloured tiles in patterns to create mosaics
- Spreading adhesive onto prepared surfaces and tiles, and setting tiles in position
- Using tile-cutting tools to cut and shape tiles needed for edges and corners, and around objects such as fittings and pipes
Working conditions for a Tiler - Wall and Floor
Wall and floor tilers sometimes work in confined areas where bending and kneeling is required. They lift and carry cement and stacks of tiles. They sometimes work at heights using ladders or scaffolding. Most tilers work in small teams and move frequently from one job location to another.
Employment Opportunities for a Tiler - Wall and Floor
Most tilers are either self-employed or work for small privately owned firms that carry out contract building work. A few are employed by firms manufacturing or selling tiles. They work mainly in cities or wherever large-scale building projects are under construction. Much of the work is undertaken on new buildings, including houses, shops, offices, factories and swimming pools. Wall and floor tilers also carry out renovations to existing buildings.Demand for wall and floor tilers is closely linked to the level of construction activity.
Specializations
Tiler - Wall and Floor
Wall and floor tilers lay ceramic, clay, slate, marble, glass and other types of tiles on external and internal walls and floors to provide protective and decorative finishes.
Average age
32
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
7% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
85%
Employment Size
21,300
Employment by state
ACT: 1.8%
NSW: 30.8%
NT: 0.9%
QLD: 23.1%
SA: 7.5%
TAS: 0.8%
VIC: 21.2%
WA: 13.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 3.7%
20-24: 10.3%
25-34: 28.9%
35-44: 26.1%
45-54: 19.1%
55-59: 6.2%
60-64: 3.8%
65 and Over: 1.9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 3.9%
Bachelor degree: 3.4%
Below Year 10: 10.4%
Certificate III/IV: 53.3%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.4%
Year 10 and below: 19.8%
Year 11: 3.7%
Year 12: 15.5%
Years 11 & 10: 4.1%
