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Unit Group

3994 Textile, Clothing and Footwear Trades Workers

OSCA - Occupation Standard Classification for Australia
Reference period
2024, Version 1.0

3994 Textile, Clothing and Footwear Trades Workers

Prepare patterns and materials to fabricate and repair garments, shoes, furniture coverings and other fabric, leather and canvas goods.

OSCA skill level

The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.

  • Skill Level 3: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience
Occupation

399431 Apparel Cutter

Lays out, marks and cuts fabric to form parts of garments.

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Consults customers to determine fabrics, styles and designs of garments
  • Examines patterns and fabrics to determine appropriate cutting methods
  • Measures, marks and secures fabric for cutting
  • Uses cutting tools to cut fabric
  • Inspects cut fabric pieces for accuracy and quality
  • Organises cut fabric pieces for assembly
Occupation

399432 Canvas Goods Fabricator

Fabricates and repairs canvas and related products such as awnings, tents, tarpaulins, horse rugs and caravan annexes.

Alternative title

  • Canvas Goods Maker

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Consults clients to determine specifications for products
  • Measures and cuts canvas to required dimensions
  • Sews or welds canvas using machinery and hand tools
  • Repairs and waterproofs canvas products
  • Attaches fittings to canvas products
  • Inspects finished products for quality and adherence to specifications
  • Provides advice regarding care and maintenance of canvas products
  • Orders and maintains inventories of materials
Occupation

399433 Dressmaker or Tailor

Makes, alters and repairs tailored garments, formal wear, couturier clothing and special occasion wear such as suits, dresses, coats, head wear, evening wear and bridal wear.

Specialisations

  • Costume Maker
  • Milliner

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Consults with clients to determine design preferences and fabric choices for customised garments
  • Measures clients to determine their body measurements
  • Sews garments together using sewing machines, sergers and hand stitching techniques
  • Fits garments on clients and makes necessary alterations for an accurate fit
  • Adds finishing touches to garments such as buttons, zippers and decorative elements
  • Repairs or performs alterations on existing garments, such as resizing, replacing buttons, mending tears and fixing seams to meet client needs
Occupation

399434 Garment Technician

Collaborates with design teams through all aspects of technical product development, from design to manufacturing, to ensure accuracy of product measurement, quality construction, and fit of garments.

Specialisation

  • Clothing Patternmaker

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Interprets design sketches, sample articles and design specifications to create master patterns
  • Uses digital technology to create, modify and maintain patterns and pattern libraries
  • Collaborates with design team to develop technical specifications for the construction of garments
  • Conducts fittings and makes necessary design adjustments to ensure proper fit and comfort of garments
  • Oversees the production process to ensure that garments are made according to specifications
  • Adjusts pattern sizes to create a full-size range for production and ensures that proportions are maintained across all sizes
  • Tests and evaluates samples and production pieces for construction integrity, sizing consistency and adherence to design specifications
Occupation

399435 Leather Goods Maker

Fabricates and repairs leather articles, such as wallets, cases, harnesses and saddlery.

Specialisation

  • Saddler

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Selects and prepares leather materials for fabrication and repair
  • Cuts, shapes and moulds leather articles according to patterns
  • Assembles leather pieces using stitching, gluing and other techniques
  • Adds decorative elements to leather articles, such as embossing or engraving
  • Repairs damaged leather articles, and applies finishes and polishes
  • Inspects finished leather articles for quality
  • Maintains and cleans leatherworking tools and equipment
Occupation

399436 Sail Maker

Fabricates and repairs sails and other articles from sailcloth.

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Consults clients to determine sail specifications
  • Measures and cuts sailcloth to required dimensions
  • Fabricates or repairs sails using machines and hand tools
  • Reinforces sail edges and corners with additional layers of sailcloth or stitching
  • Inspects sails to ensure quality and adherence to specifications
  • Provides advice regarding care and maintenance of sails
Occupation

399437 Shoemaker

Makes and repairs boots or shoes.

Specialisations

  • Medical Grade Shoemaker
  • Shoe Repairer

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Measures customers' feet for shoe size
  • Designs patterns and prototypes of shoes
  • Cuts and shapes shoe components to desired specifications
  • Assembles shoes using adhesives, rivets or stitching
  • Repairs shoes by replacing components
  • Provides shoe care advice to customers
Occupation

399438 Upholsterer

Makes, rebuilds and repairs upholstered articles such as chairs, sofas, beds and mattresses.

Specialisations

  • Furniture Upholsterer
  • Mattress Maker

Skill level: 3

Main tasks

  • Assesses items to determine the nature of upholstery required
  • Consults clients regarding upholstery preferences and provides estimates of costs
  • Repairs or replaces damaged upholstery
  • Fits upholstery to new items of furniture
  • Operates tools and equipment for upholstery work