ANZSCO 399611
Signwriter
General information, not immigration advice. Data as at 2026-10-22.
About this occupation
ANZSCO 2022Designs, fabricates and paints signs for displays, buildings, hoardings, boats and structures. Registration or licensing may be required.
Specialisations
- Sign Manufacturer
Unit group 3996
Signwriters
Signwriters design, fabricate and paint signs for displays, buildings, hoardings, boats and structures.
Indicative skill level
Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia
- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
In New Zealand
- NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Registration or licensing may be required.
Tasks include
- Conferring with clients and responding to proposals, sketches and written instructions to determine composition of signs
- Designing and creating signs and graphics using computer software and signmaking machines
- Designing and creating signs by measuring and calculating letter size, preparing the surface, applying background paint using brushes, sprays and rollers, and creating the letters using brushes, stencils, enamel paint and decals
- Designing and creating wall murals, screen prints, gold leaf work and custom vehicle art
- Painting signs and lettering using lacquers, varnishes, paints and other materials
- Painting signs on brick, metal, timber, glass, plastic and other surfaces
Show all 10 tasks
- Making and erecting three dimensional signs
- Preparing cost estimates for labour and materials
- May erect and work on scaffolding
- May install signs on-site
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022. CC BY 4.0.
ANZSCO 2022 (the edition the CSOL uses for the 482 and 186 visas)
Title in this edition: Signwriter, skill level 3
- Major group
- 3 Technicians and Trades Workers
- Sub-major group
- 39 Other Technicians and Trades Workers
- Minor group
- 399 Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers
- Unit group
- 3996 Signwriters
The title and groups are the same in ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 and ANZSCO 2022.
Occupation Shortage List (2026)
- National rating
- Shortage
- Confidence
- Clear
- Rated on
- ANZSCO 2022
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA, released 21 October 2026. CC BY 4.0.
Possible visa options
Visas that Signwriter may be eligible for through its skilled list placement. Being on a list is one requirement; each visa has others (points, age, English, nomination or sponsorship).
| Visa | Stay | MLTSSL | STSOL | ROL | CSOL | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Permanent | Not on MLTSSL | On STSOL | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 3 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated | — | Not on MLTSSL | On STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 4 |
| Training visa (subclass 407) | Temporary (Up to 2 years) | Not on MLTSSL | On STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/050, s 6 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream | Temporary (5 years) | Not on MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | On ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/219, s 5(1) |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream | Temporary (Up to 4 years) | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/089, s 6(3) |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway | Permanent | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/093, s 7(1) |
✓ the occupation is on a list this visa uses · ✗ this visa uses the list but the occupation is not on it · — the visa does not use this list. Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, visa pages, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Average salary, May 2025
Unit group 3996 Signwriters (ANZSCO 2022). all employees, Average weekly total cash earnings.
| Average weekly earnings | Average age | |
|---|---|---|
| All employees | — | — |
| Males | — | — |
| Females | — | — |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025: data cube 63060DO011_202505 (Table 1), released 23 January 2026. CC BY 4.0.
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Scan to get the appSource: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO (CC BY 4.0). Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list (CC BY 4.0). Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Search another occupation