About Plastering

There are two related but distinct trades in the plastering field; Wall and Ceiling Lining and Solid Plastering.

Solid Plasterers apply cement, acrylic or polymer render to external and/or internal brick or concrete walls to achieve either a smooth or textured finish. The apprenticeship program culminates in a Certificate III in Solid Plastering.

Wall and Ceiling Plasterers apply and fix plasterboard, suspended ceilings and composite wall linings in residential or commercial buildings. As a Wall & Ceiling Plasterer you will mix and apply coats of plaster to walls and ceilings to ensure a smooth or decorative finish. The apprenticeship program for this trade culminates in a Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining.

The training

To become a trade certified Plasterer, you generally complete an apprenticeship which results in either a Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining or a Certificate III in Solid Plastering. Both apprenticeships usually take 48 months to complete.

The apprenticeship program features on the job training under the supervision of a suitable qualified tradesperson and off the job training at a registered training provider such as a WA TAFE college.

 Skills you will learn

During the training program to become a Plasterer, you will learn practical skills and underpinning knowledge. A training program will be created for you that will include such competencies as how to:

Solid Plastering:

• Read and interpret plans and specifications

• Apply basic levelling procedures

• Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding

• Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry

• Plan and organise work

• Conduct workplace communication

• Carry out measurements and calculations

• Handle solid plastering materials

• Use solid plastering tools and equipment

• Prepare surfaces for plastering

• Apply float and render to straight and curved surfaces

• Apply set coats

• Apply trowelled texture coat finishes

• Restore and renovate solid plasterwork

• Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

• Work safely at heights

• Install acoustic and thermal environmental protection systems

• Erect and maintain trestle and plank systems

• Install pre-cast decorative mouldings

• Install cast plaster blockwork and wall panels

Wall & Ceiling Lining

• Construct and install bulkheads

• Assemble partitions

• Read and interpret plans and specifications

• Work safely at heights

• Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry

• Plan and organise work

• Conduct workplace communication

• Carry out measurements and calculations

• Fix standard plasterboard wall sheets

• Fix standard plasterboard ceiling sheets

• Fix battens

• Fix wet area sheets

• Fix ceiling sheets to external protected areas

• Fix fibre cement board

• Apply levels of finish standards to planning and inspection of own work

• Mix plastering compounds

• Finish plasterboard joints manually

• Manually sand plaster work

• Cut and fix paper-faced cornices

• Install dry wall passive fire-rated systems

• Install suspended ceilings

• Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

• Investigate business opportunities

• Apply basic levelling procedures

• Use explosive power tools

• Install acoustic and thermal environmental protection systems

• Install and finish columns

• Rectify faults in drywall applications

• Install and finish plasterboard and fibre cement sheeting to curved wall and ceiling substrates

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Career Pathway Examples for Wall & Ceiling Lining/Plastering

Please note that programs can vary to some degree and this list is an example only.