What licences or tickets do you need to work as a Carpenter?

In every state the law requires: White Card (general construction induction). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.

Carpenter

Builds and fixes timber frames, roofs, floors, doors and fit-outs on building sites.

What you do

You study plans to work out the materials and sizes you need. You cut timber and put together frames, roof framing and floors. You fit cladding, fascia, and door and window frames. You may also repair existing fittings.

SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

Licences and tickets

New South Wales

Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.

White Card (general construction induction)
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Card
Every state
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
How to get it

Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.

Working at heights training
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs)
Certificate
Every state
A unit for working safely at heights. This unit is written for resources and infrastructure work.
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
How to get it

Pay

$38.58an hour

Minimum casual rate (adult, CW/ECW 3, residential): $38.58 an hour

Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), from 1 July 2026. Last checked 10 Oct 2026.

Minimum full-time rate (adult, CW/ECW 3 carpenter, residential): $31.95 an hour

SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

Median earnings: $1,760 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group)

SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

Median earnings and some job descriptions: Jobs and Skills Australia, © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Rounded and reworded by Nyvo.

The award rates shown are national minimums under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020) for a tradesperson (CW/ECW 3) in residential building work, from 1 July 2026. They include the industry allowance. The full-time rate also includes the tool allowance for this trade. The casual rate does not include the tool allowance. Age, overtime, weekend work, other allowances and enterprise agreements can change your pay. Whether you are an employee or a contractor depends on the actual working relationship, not the job title. For pay questions, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. The median weekly figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia. It is for full-time workers in the wider occupation group, before tax. It is a guide only, not a promise of pay.

Rates depend on your award level, age, casual or permanent work, penalty rates and any enterprise agreement.

Whether you are an employee or a contractor depends on the actual working relationship, not the job title. Fair Work

Check pay with Fair Work See current ads on SEEK

Common questions

What licences or tickets do you need to work as a Carpenter?: In every state the law requires: White Card (general construction induction). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.
What is the minimum pay for a Carpenter?: Minimum casual rate (adult, CW/ECW 3, residential): $38.58 an hour. Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), from 1 July 2026. Last checked 10 Oct 2026.
What are median earnings for a Carpenter?: Median earnings: $1,760 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group).

What you do

Licences and tickets

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Common questions