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Employer guide

Hire a Carpenter in Australia

To hire a carpenter, decide the type of carpentry, confirm the white card and site tickets you require, and work out whether the person is an employee or a genuine contractor. CrossNation recruits carpenters for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.

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By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.

  • 12% of annual salary

    Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.

  • 90-day placement guarantee

    See our terms.

Official data

Key facts from official sources

What you need to know

Which kind of carpenter do you need?

Framing carpenters erect frames, floors and trusses, formwork carpenters build moulds for concrete on apartments and civil projects, fit-out and commercial carpenters install ceilings, partitions and doors, and finishing carpenters and joiners do stairs, cabinetry and trim. Each path has its own pace and tools. Describe the project type and size, the typical site, whether the carpenter leads a crew or works alone and whether you supply tools. Recruiters match on this detail, and candidates who have done exactly this work will self-select.

What tickets and licences apply to carpenters?

Every worker on a construction site needs a general construction induction card (white card), and many sites also require tickets for working at heights, scaffolding or elevated work platforms. Employees generally do not need a builder's licence, but a person who runs their own carpentry business or takes on work above a set value may need a contractor or builder licence from the state building regulator, so check before engaging someone as a contractor. Ask for a Certificate III in Carpentry or equivalent evidence of trade training and record what you check.

Employee or contractor, and which award applies?

Many carpenters work on an ABN, but the real working relationship decides whether someone is an employee. If you set their hours and direct their work with your tools, they may be an employee with award rights, and the Fair Work Act penalises misrepresenting employment as contracting. Employees on building sites are commonly covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award [MA000020] or an enterprise agreement. We do not publish pay figures here. Decide the engagement, classify the role and use the Fair Work Pay Calculator to cost it.

What should a carpentry induction cover?

Beyond the white card, cover the specific site hazards: edge protection, scaffolds, power tool guarding, dust, noise and manual handling. Explain the project program, who directs the work and how variations are recorded. Confirm which tools are supplied and which the carpenter brings, and how tools are stored. Agree how hours, breaks and weather delays are handled. A short, documented induction reduces incidents and sets the tone, and it is also evidence that you have met your duty to provide training.

Before you brief a recruiter: carpenter checklist

Checklist

  • Define framing, formwork, fit-out or finishing work
  • Require and sight the white card and site tickets
  • Check trade qualification evidence
  • Decide genuinely whether the person is an employee or a contractor
  • If a contractor, check the state contractor licence rules
  • Confirm the award or agreement and the tool allowance

Tell us the role, location and start date

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does a carpenter need a builder's licence?

Employees usually do not. Contractors who run their own business or take on work above a state's threshold may need a licence. Check with the building regulator.

Is a white card compulsory?

Anyone working on a construction site needs the general construction induction card, so ask to see it before site access.

What is a tool allowance?

Awards pay a tool allowance to tradespeople who supply their own tools. Check the amount and conditions in the award that applies.

How does CrossNation charge to recruit a carpenter?

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits carpenters for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.

Can I recruit an overseas carpenter through CrossNation?

CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. A trades skills assessment and a white card are separate from any visa, and state licensing rules still apply. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.

What should I verify before I offer a carpenter the job?

Carpenters working on construction sites need a general construction induction card. Contractors running their own business may need a state licence. For a carpenter, the award that commonly applies is the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your carpenter, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.

Related

Sources (accessed 6 October 2026)