Upholsterer
An Upholsterer repairs, restores, and manufactures upholstered furniture and vehicle interiors for Australian furniture retailers, heritage restorers, and automotive trim workshops.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Niche but consistent demand in furniture restoration, automotive trimming, and marine upholstery.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- STSOLShort-Term Skilled Occupation List
Occupations eligible for shorter-term sponsored visas including Subclass 482 (short-term stream).
- CSOLCombined Skilled Occupation List
The merged skilled list that consolidates previous MLTSSL and STSOL eligibility under the Skills in Demand program.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- TRATrades Recognition AustraliaVisit official site →
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 186Learn more →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Learn more →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Strip and re-upholster domestic and commercial furniture frames
- Cut and sew fabric, leather, and vinyl covers for furniture and vehicle interiors
- Install foam, dacron, webbing, and spring systems in furniture
- Restore and re-upholster heritage and antique furniture pieces
Skills required
- Furniture and automotive upholstery techniques
- Sewing machine and fabric cutting skills
- Foam shaping and spring suspension installation
- Fabric and leather selection and pattern matching
Typical qualifications pathway
Certificate III in Furniture Making (Upholstery). TRA assesses qualifications.
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on CSOL, enabling subclasses 186, 482, and 494 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
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