Upholsterer Visa Pathway to Australia: Complete 2026 Guide
Updated: 13 May 2026
Australia classifies Upholsterer under ANZSCO 393311. Trades Recognition Australia conducts the skills assessment via the Migration Skills Assessment or Job Ready Program. The occupation sits on the Core Skills and Short-Term Skilled Occupation Lists, unlocking subclasses 190, 491, 482, and 186. Typical 2026 salaries range AUD $75,000-$84,000. Employer sponsorship and regional nomination are the strongest pathways.
Quick Facts: Upholsterer Migration Pathway
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ANZSCO Code | 393311 (Upholsterer) |
| Skill Level | 3 (AQF Certificate III + 2 years on-the-job training, or Certificate IV) |
| Skills Assessment | TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) |
| Occupation List | CSOL + STSOL |
| Visa Options | 190, 491, 482, 186 |
| Demand Level | High — niche shortage in marine, aviation, automotive, and bespoke furniture |
| Salary Range | AUD $75,000-$84,000 (SEEK, April 2026) |
| Typical 482 Salary Threshold | Core Skills stream AUD $76,515 minimum |
| Key Challenge | Small national workforce; finding sponsoring employers requires targeted search |
What an Upholsterer Does in Australia
The role covers fabrication and repair of upholstered items — chairs, sofas, beds, mattresses, marine seating, automotive interiors, aviation cabins, and bespoke furniture pieces. Day-to-day work splits between traditional craft upholstery (heritage restoration, antique reupholstery), commercial bulk upholstery (hospitality and aged-care furniture contracts), and specialist segments such as marine canvas, automotive interiors, and aircraft cabin refurbishment.
Demand is high but the workforce is small. Jobs and Skills Australia records consistent shortage across both metropolitan and regional markets. Hot-spot employers include marine fit-out specialists in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sydney; automotive trim shops servicing classic-car restoration; the aviation cabin-refit sector around Sydney and Melbourne airports; and a long tail of bespoke furniture makers serving the premium residential market.
ANZSCO Code Mapping
The exact code is 393311 Upholsterer, sitting within Unit Group 3933 Upholsterers. The ABS task list covers conferring with clients on materials and cost; making and repairing wooden frames; removing and replacing defective springs; removing old coverings, webbing, and padding; securing material, padding, springs, and webbing; measuring and cutting fabrics; seaming cushions and joining sections; attaching ornamental trims, braids, and buttons; and padding and covering spring units to upholster mattresses.
There is no separate ANZSCO code for "Marine Upholsterer", "Auto Trimmer", or "Aircraft Trim Technician". All map to 393311 if the duty mix matches the ABS description. Where duties skew heavily toward leather cutting and stitching without spring or frame work, applicants sometimes consider 393213 Leather Goods Maker — but for vehicle, marine, and furniture trim work, 393311 is the correct code.
Skills Assessment
TRA Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)
Applicants with formal training and documented employment apply through the MSA pathway. The MSA is a documentary assessment covering qualification equivalence and work experience.
Requirements:
- A qualification at least comparable to AQF Certificate III in Furnishing (Upholstery) or equivalent
- At least three years of post-qualification employment performing the ANZSCO 393311 task set
- Documentary evidence of training transcripts, employer references on letterhead, payslips, tax records
Assessment cost: Documentary stage from AUD $1,000. Technical interview stage adds further fees if requested.
Processing time: 10-14 weeks for the documentary stage.
TRA Job Ready Program (JRP)
Applicants whose overseas training is not directly recognised, or whose documentary evidence is incomplete, are typically directed into the JRP. The four-stage program adds an Australian workplace placement and practical assessment.
Stage fees (2026):
- Stage 1 — Provisional Skills Assessment: AUD $200
- Stage 2 — Job Ready Employment registration: AUD $450
- Stage 3 — Job Ready Workplace Assessment: AUD $2,540
- Stage 4 — Job Ready Final Assessment: AUD $65
- Total program cost: approximately AUD $3,255
Processing time: 12-18 months from Stage 1 to Final Assessment.
Common rejection reasons: thin documentary evidence (no payslips, references from family-owned workshops without business records), training delivered without supervised practical hours, duty descriptions that align more closely with a sewing machinist or leather goods maker than an upholsterer. For wider assessment context, see the skills assessment bodies complete list.
Visa Pathways
Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand Visa
A practical route given the occupation's CSOL listing and the willingness of marine, automotive, and aviation employers to sponsor.
- Visa fee: AUD $3,210
- Salary threshold: AUD $76,515 (Core Skills Income Threshold)
- Reality check: Median upholsterer salaries sit within or just above the CSIT, so a senior or specialist applicant clears the threshold without employer top-up. Junior trimmers may need an experienced specialisation (marine, aviation) to justify the rate.
- Duration: Up to 4 years
- Processing time: Core Skills stream 3-6 months from lodgement; accredited sponsors process nominations under a 10-day service standard
For more, see the subclass 482 visa guide.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa
Regional nomination adds 15 points. A 5-year provisional visa with pathway to permanent residency under subclass 191 after 3 years of qualifying regional residence.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,770
- Best regions: regional Queensland (marine fit-out around Mooloolaba and Hervey Bay), regional Victoria, regional NSW
- Processing time: 6-12 months after invitation
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa
PR through metropolitan or whole-state nomination.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,770
- Best states: South Australia (offshore list), Tasmania, Western Australia DAMA regions
- Processing time: 5-9 months after invitation
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme
PR through employer sponsorship.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,770
- Streams: Direct Entry or TRT (after 2 years on a 482)
- Processing time: 12-19 months at the 90th percentile
Points Test Strategy
Upholsterer applicants typically score in the 55-75 point band. The 15-point regional boost is usually the deciding factor for invitation.
| Points Factor | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age (25-32) | 30 | Maximum bracket |
| Age (33-39) | 25 | Common for experienced trimmers |
| English (Proficient — IELTS 7) | 10 | Realistic target |
| English (Superior — IELTS 8) | 20 | Adds decisive points |
| AQF Certificate III equivalence | 10 | Standard qualification points |
| Overseas Experience (5-7 yrs) | 10 | After TRA confirms equivalence |
| State Nomination (190) | 5 | |
| Regional Nomination (491) | 15 | The most accessible booster |
| Partner Skills | 5-10 | If partner holds a skilled occupation |
Realistic Score Scenarios
Scenario 1: Regional 491 candidate (regional Queensland marine specialist)
Age 30 + Proficient English 10 + AQF III 10 + 5 years experience 10 + Regional nomination 15 = 65 points. Sufficient for invitation in most regional Queensland streams.
Scenario 2: Employer-sponsored 482 candidate
No points test. Requires a skills assessment, a willing accredited sponsor, and a salary clearing AUD $76,515. The dominant pathway for marine, aviation, and high-end automotive specialists.
State Nomination
South Australia
South Australia includes Upholsterer in its 2025-26 program for both the onshore and offshore lists. The state allocated 2,250 nomination places (1,350 for 190, 900 for 491). Upholsterer applicants with a confirmed job offer in metropolitan Adelaide or regional South Australia have a realistic path through the 190 stream.
Tasmania
Tasmania's Skilled Migration program nominates trade occupations with established demand. The state invited 491 candidates at base scores as low as 40 in recent rounds. Upholsterer fits Tasmania's heritage furniture restoration sector and the growing premium hospitality fit-out market.
Western Australia (DAMA)
The Goldfields, South West, and Pilbara Designated Area Migration Agreements include trade occupations under concessional terms. Upholsterer is eligible under several DAMAs where regional marine and tourism operators face recruitment shortfalls.
Queensland (regional)
Skilled Migration Queensland prioritises regional centres. Upholsterer is eligible under regional streams for applicants with a job offer in marine fit-out hubs (Mooloolaba, Hervey Bay) or regional manufacturing centres (Toowoomba, Bundaberg).
NSW and Victoria do not currently nominate this code on their metropolitan 190 or 491 lists in 2026.
Salary and Employment Outlook
| Role | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry Trimmer (1-3 yrs) | AUD $51,000-$62,000 |
| Upholsterer (3-7 yrs) | AUD $75,000-$80,000 |
| Senior Upholsterer (8+ yrs) | AUD $80,000-$90,000 |
| Marine / Aviation Trim Specialist | AUD $85,000-$110,000 |
| Workshop Manager | AUD $90,000-$115,000 |
| Sole Trader (gross billings) | AUD $90,000-$160,000 |
Source: SEEK Career Advice, April 2026; cross-referenced against Indeed and PayScale.
Total packages on permanent roles add superannuation at 11.5%. The highest-paying specialisations are marine fit-out (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney), aviation cabin refurbishment (Sydney, Melbourne airport corridors), heritage furniture restoration (Sydney's eastern suburbs, Melbourne's inner south), and high-end automotive trim for classic-car restoration shops.
Tips for a Successful Application
1. Specialise to Lift Your Salary Above the CSIT
The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $76,515. Generalist upholstery roles often advertise at or below this rate. Specialisation in marine, aviation, or premium automotive trim pushes salaries above $85,000 and makes employer sponsorship easier to secure.
2. Document Bespoke Work with Photo Evidence
TRA assesses against the ABS task list, which spans frame work, spring work, and covering. Many overseas applicants are strong in covering but light on frame and spring work. A photo portfolio of completed bespoke pieces — showing frame stripping, spring re-tying, padding, and finishing — supports the duty descriptions in your references.
3. Target Marine and Aviation Hubs
Marine fit-out concentrates around Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, and Hobart. Aviation cabin work clusters at Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane airports. These sectors employ specialist sponsors who lodge multiple 482 nominations each year and often hold accredited sponsor status, qualifying for the 10-day nomination service standard.
4. Order Sealed Trade Documents Early
TRA requires original training transcripts in sealed envelopes from the issuing institution. Family-business references must be supported by independent business records — ABN registration, tax filings, customer invoices. Begin gathering these 6-9 months before lodging Stage 1.
5. Consider the Job Ready Program Even if Not Required
If your documentary evidence is patchy — common in countries where formal apprenticeship structures differ from the AQF — opting voluntarily into the Job Ready Program strengthens the migration outcome. The Stage 3 Workplace Assessment in an Australian workshop becomes a powerful piece of evidence for both the skills assessment and future visa applications.
Step-by-Step Migration Roadmap
- Confirm ANZSCO 393311 fits your duties — see the how to find ANZSCO code guide
- Check current list status on the Core Skills Occupation List hub
- Order sealed training transcripts from your issuing institution
- Build a photo portfolio of completed work covering frames, springs, and finishing
- Sit your English test — aim for Proficient (IELTS 7) for points
- Lodge the TRA application — MSA or JRP depending on evidence strength
- Search for a sponsoring employer or state nomination — marine, aviation, or premium furniture sectors
- Submit an EOI in SkillSelect if pursuing 190 or 491
- Apply for state nomination — South Australia, Tasmania, or a DAMA region
- Receive invitation and lodge visa — within 60 days
- Complete health and character checks
- Receive visa grant and relocate
For broader context, see the most in-demand occupations in Australia 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate ANZSCO code for marine or aviation upholsterers?
No. All upholstery specialisations map to ANZSCO 393311. The migration system does not differentiate between furniture, marine, automotive, and aviation upholstery for skills-assessment or list-eligibility purposes. Specialisation matters at the employer level — for salary, sponsor selection, and state nomination preference — not for code allocation.
Can I migrate as a self-taught upholsterer with no formal qualification?
Likely not through the standard MSA route. TRA requires evidence of training at least comparable to AQF Certificate III. The Job Ready Program is the realistic alternative — Stage 1 Provisional Skills Assessment evaluates whether your experience-based learning is structured enough to enter the Workplace Assessment stage. Applicants with 8+ years of documented full-time work and a strong portfolio are more likely to qualify than those with sporadic or informal experience.
Why isn't Upholsterer on the MLTSSL?
The MLTSSL was retired in late 2024 and replaced with the CSOL framework. Upholsterer is on the CSOL, which gives it equivalent access to 482 and 186 pathways and unlocks 190 and 491 through eligible state nominations. The absence of the older MLTSSL label does not reduce the occupation's migration value.
How long does the whole pathway take from offshore?
Plan for 14-26 months from MSA registration to visa grant on the 482 or 491. MSA documentary stage takes 10-14 weeks if your evidence is complete, JRP takes 12-18 months if you are directed into it, state nomination adds 2-4 months, and visa processing adds 3-12 months depending on subclass.
What if I trim cars and motorcycles, not furniture?
The work qualifies under ANZSCO 393311 if your duty mix covers seating fabrication, panel covering, and trim repair. References must describe the upholstery duties using language from the ABS task list — not "interior fit-out" or "trim shop work" without specifics. The same code applies to high-end automotive restoration, classic car interiors, and motorcycle saddle work.
