Australia Skilled Migration Guide – Updated June 2026
JOINER | ANZSCO 331213
If you are a qualified Joiner looking to migrate to Australia in 2026, the opportunity has never been stronger. Australia's construction and housing sector is experiencing record growth, with a federal government target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029 creating sustained, nationwide demand for skilled timber trades professionals — including Joiners.
Under ANZSCO 331213, Joiners are recognised on Australia's skilled occupation lists, providing multiple pathways to both temporary and permanent residency. This fully updated June 2026 guide walks you through everything — TRA skills assessment, visa subclass options, occupation list status, points test, state nomination, salary expectations, and licensing requirements.
OCCUPATION SNAPSHOT – QUICK REFERENCE TABLE
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Occupation Title | Joiner |
| ANZSCO Code | 331213 |
| ANZSCO Unit Group | 3312 – Joiners and Wood Machinists |
| Skill Level | 3 (AQF Certificate III or equivalent) |
| Assessment Authority | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
| Occupation Lists (2026) | MLTSSL, CSOL |
| Points Test Applicable | Yes |
| Licensing Required | Yes (State/Territory based) |
| Industry Sector | Building & Construction / Joinery |
| Related Occupations | Carpenter (331212), Cabinetmaker (394111) |
| Updated | June 2026 |
ANZSCO 331213
WHAT DOES A JOINER DO?
A Joiner (ANZSCO 331213) is a skilled tradesperson who cuts, shapes, and fits timber and manufactured board products in a workshop to form structures and fittings ready for installation. Unlike a Carpenter who primarily works on-site, a Joiner typically works in a workshop environment producing precision-built timber components. Key duties include:
- Reading and interpreting architectural drawings, plans, and specifications
- Selecting and measuring timber, MDF, and manufactured board materials
- Using hand tools, power tools, and CNC machinery to cut and shape timber
- Constructing and assembling doors, windows, staircases, skirting boards, and architraves
- Making and fitting kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, and built-in furniture units
- Producing shop fronts, office partitions, and commercial joinery elements
- Fitting and hanging doors, including installation of hardware (locks, hinges)
- Constructing timber framework for walls, floors, and roof structures (where overlapping with carpentry)
- Applying surface finishes and protective coatings to joinery products
- Ensuring all work meets Australian Standards and building codes
- Maintaining workshop machinery and tools to required safety standards
Skills Assessment
SKILLS ASSESSMENT – TRADES RECOGNITION AUSTRALIA (TRA)
| Assessment Body | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
|---|---|
| Programs Available |
Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Offshore Skills Assessment (OSAP) |
| Pathways |
Pathway 1 – No Australian qualification Pathway 2 – With overseas qualification |
| Minimum Work Experience | 3 years (full-time, directly relevant) |
| Qualification Required | AQF Certificate III (Joinery) or equiv. |
| Technical Assessment | Yes – interview + practical in English |
| Interpreter Policy | NOT permitted in any assessment |
| Priority Processing (2026) |
YES – construction trades prioritised 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2026 |
TRA PATHWAYS:
TRA PATHWAY 1 – No Australian Qualification:
- Step 1: Find a TRA-approved RTO using the TRA RTO Finder (tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au)
- Step 2: Compile and submit decision-ready documentary evidence to the RTO (identity documents + overseas qualifications + employment evidence)
- Step 3: Attend a technical assessment conducted by a qualified Australian Joiner (includes trade knowledge interview AND practical skills demonstration)
- Step 4: RTO submits recommendation to TRA → TRA issues your outcome letter
TRA PATHWAY 2 – With Overseas Qualification Equivalent to AQF III:
- Step 1: Lodge online application through TRA portal
- Step 2: Upload certified trade certificate/diploma + employment reference letters
- Step 3: TRA assesses qualification equivalency via international frameworks (UK ENIC, European bodies, NARIC, etc.)
- Step 4: Skills gap analysis or technical interview may be required
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
- Valid passport (certified copy, all pages)
- Trade certificate/diploma in Joinery, Carpentry & Joinery, or equivalent (with certified English translation if not originally in English)
- Employment reference letters: must be on employer letterhead, must state: your full name, job title, employment dates, hours per week, key duties
- Supporting evidence: payslips, tax records, insurance documents, work permits
- Any trade licensing, guild membership, or professional registration certificates
- Completed TRA application form
- TRA application fee payment (check tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au for current fees)
Eligible Visas
VISA SUBCLASS OPTIONS – TABLE
| Visa Subclass | Visa Name | Type | Occupation List |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | Permanent | MLTSSL |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | Permanent | MLTSSL / SOL |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Prov.) | Prov. | MLTSSL / ROL |
| 186 DE | Employer Nomination Scheme | Permanent | Any |
| 186 TRT | ENS Transition Stream | Permanent | MLTSSL |
| 482 SID | Temporary Skill Shortage | Temp. | CSOL |
| 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored | Prov. | ROL |
| 191 | Permanent Residence Regional | Permanent | (from 491/494) |
VISA PATHWAY GUIDE:
- 189: No employer or state required; direct PR; entirely points-based competition
- 190: State nomination required; +5 bonus points; permanent residency from day one
- 491: Regional Australia only; +15 bonus points; leads to 191 PR after 3 years
- 482 SID: Employer-sponsored; temporary 2–4 years; pathway to 186 TRT permanent PR
- 186 DE: Employer-sponsored permanent residency; no points test needed
- 494: Regional employer-sponsored provisional; pathway to 191 permanent
Occupation Lists
OCCUPATION LISTS – STATUS (JUNE 2026)
| Occupation List | Status | Visa Access |
|---|---|---|
| MLTSSL | YES | 189, 190, 491, 186 TRT, 186 DE, 494 |
| CSOL | YES | 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa |
| State Occ. Lists | VARIES | Active across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS |
Being on both the MLTSSL and CSOL gives Joiners access to every major skilled migration pathway — both independent/state-nominated (permanent) and employer-sponsored (temporary to permanent).
Migration Points
POINTS TEST BREAKDOWN
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25–32 | 30 |
| Age 33–39 | 25 |
| Age 40–44 | 15 |
| Age 45–49 | 0 |
| Superior English (IELTS 8.0 each) | 20 |
| Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each) | 10 |
| Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each) | 0 (minimum) |
| Overseas skilled experience 8–10 yrs | 20 |
| Overseas skilled experience 5–8 yrs | 15 |
| Overseas skilled experience 3–5 yrs | 10 |
| Overseas skilled experience 1–3 yrs | 5 |
| Australian skilled experience 8–10 yr | 20 |
| Australian skilled experience 5–8 yr | 15 |
| Australian skilled experience 3–5 yr | 10 |
| Australian skilled experience 1–3 yr | 5 |
| State nomination (190 visa) | +5 |
| Regional nomination (491 visa) | +15 |
| Specialist education qualification | 10 |
| Australian study requirement (2 yrs) | 5 |
| Accredited community language | 5 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| Partner skills assessment | 5 or 10 |
Minimum required: 65 points
Competitive range (2025-2026): 70–85+
points (varies by state and round)
State Nominations
STATE NOMINATION OPTIONS (JUNE 2026)
| State/Territory | SC190 | SC491 | Notes (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | YES | YES | NSW SOL – construction trades active |
| Victoria | YES | YES | Regional 491 pathway strong |
| Queensland | YES | YES | Offshore skilled list updated Sept 2025 |
| Western Australia | YES | YES |
WASMOL Schedule 2 (Building & Const.) IELTS 6.0 all bands required 190 Quota 2025-26: 1,000 places 491 Quota 2025-26: 1,000 places |
| South Australia | YES | YES | SA skilled list 2025-26 active |
| Tasmania | YES | YES | Employment pathway: 15 months in TAS |
| ACT | YES | YES | Canberra Matrix; min. 6 months ACT res. |
| Northern Territory | YES | YES | Regional advantages; strong trade demand |
Language Proficiency
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
| Visa Subclass | Level Required | IELTS Score |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 190 | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 491 | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 186 DE | Competent English | 6.0 in each band |
| 482 SID | Competent English | 5.0 overall (IELTS) |
| WA State Nom. | 6.0 in all 4 bands | IELTS / PTE / TOEFL / OET |
Accepted tests: IELTS Academic/GT, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1/C2, OET
Exempt countries: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand (for most subclasses)
Licensing & Registration
LICENSING IN AUSTRALIA
Joiners in Australia may require a contractor or builder's licence depending on the scope of work (particularly for installation on building sites). Workshop-based joinery manufacturing generally has fewer licensing requirements, but contracting licences are required to work as a trade contractor.
- NSW: NSW Fair Trading
- Victoria: Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
- Queensland: Queensland Building & Construction Comm.
- Western Australia: Building and Energy (DMIRS)
- South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
- Tasmania: Office of the Building Regulator
- ACT: Access Canberra
- NT: NT Building Practitioners Board
Salary Insights
SALARY EXPECTATIONS IN AUSTRALIA (2026)
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Qualified Joiner (trade cert) | $65,000 – $85,000 |
| Experienced Joiner | $85,000 – $110,000 |
| Senior / Leading Hand | $100,000 – $125,000 |
| Self-employed Contractor | $110,000 – $180,000+ |
Joiners with CNC machinery skills and experience in commercial joinery or fit-out typically command higher rates. States with high construction activity (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA) offer the most competitive wages.
Market Demand
WHY AUSTRALIA NEEDS JOINERS IN 2026
- Federal housing target of 1.2 million homes by 2029 requires sustained joinery output
- High demand in commercial fit-out sector (hotels, offices, retail, aged care)
- School and hospital infrastructure builds nationwide
- CNC machinery skills increasing productivity demand in joinery workshops
- Shortage of domestic apprentice completions in joinery and carpentry trades
- Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) flags construction timber trades as shortage occupations
Migration Services
HOW MIGRATION REPUBLIC CAN HELP YOU
Migrating to Australia as a Joiner involves navigating the TRA assessment, points test strategy, and state nomination timing. At Migration Republic, our registered migration agents specialise in construction trade migration and will guide you through every step of the process.
We help you with:
- Free eligibility check for ANZSCO 331213
- Full TRA skills assessment advice and application support
- Employer reference letter review (to meet TRA's strict standards)
- Points test strategy — maximising your score before lodging EOI
- State nomination advice — which state best suits your profile in 2026
- EOI lodgement and SkillSelect profile management
- End-to-end visa application (189, 190, 491, 186, 482)
- Family inclusion planning for partner and dependants
📩 Start your Australian Joinery career today.
🌐 Visit: www.migrationrepublic.com.au
📞 Book your free consultation — our trade migration experts are ready to help.
Migration Republic — Crafting Your Future in Australia.
FAQ
FAQs – JOINER ANZSCO 331213
Interactive Tools
Calculate Points & Check Your Visa Eligibility
Use our interactive self-service migration tools to calculate your points score, test your eligibility, and discover your potential Australian visa options instantly.
PR Points Calculator
Calculate your skilled migration points score instantly to check your eligibility for 189, 190, or 491 visas.
Calculate Points ↗Visa Selection Quiz
Take our quick interactive quiz to find the most suitable Australian visa subclass for your personal profile.
Start Visa Quiz ↗Eligibility Checker
Verify if you meet the core requirements for Australian skilled, employer-sponsored, or regional visas.
Check Eligibility ↗Ready to Start Your Joiner Visa Pathway?
Let Migration Republic guide you through every step of your visa pathway to Australia. Contact our team today for a consultation.
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Your Trusted Australia Migration Partner – June 2026
