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Wall and Ceiling Liner

Also known as Drywall Plasterer, Fibrous Plasterer and Gyprocker.

Wall and ceiling liners make, apply and fix the internal and external linings of commercial and domestic buildings.

These linings may include office partitions, non-structural walls and ceilings.

Wall and ceiling liners usually work in dusty conditions.

They may work alone or in teams of two or three, both indoors and outdoors.

They may have contact with the public.

TASKS

Wall and ceiling liners may perform the following tasks:

measure room walls, work out plasterboard layout and install insulation and moisture barriers
measure and mark cutting lines on plasterboard
cut plasterboard, lift and position panels, and nail, screw or glue them to walls, ceilings or wooden strips (battens)
prepare corner beading panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittings
cover joins and nail holes with wet plaster or sealing compounds and smooth them using wet brushes and sand paper
fix precast cornices and panel mouldings, ceiling centres and other plaster fittings
install fire-rated wall barriers
spray fibrous materials over surfaces to be covered
install acoustic walls and treatments
make fibrous plaster moulds in factories

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy practical work
good hand-eye coordination
able to work at heights
able to work neatly and accurately
able to read, interpret and work from plans

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Fixer - installs plasterboard sheets and cornices in buildings.

Modellers Hand (Plaster) - makes plaster moulds.

Sheet Hand - makes fibrous enrichments.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a wall and ceiling liner you usually have to complete an apprenticeship in Wall and Ceiling Lining.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

In NSW, wall and ceiling liners carrying out work valued at more than $1000 must either hold, or work under someone who holds, a valid building contractor's licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. Contact NSW Fair Trading for more information.

When working at heights, industry standards require wall and ceiling liners to obtain a licence to Perform High Risk Work issued by SafeWork NSW or WorkSafe ACT. To gain a licence, you will need to complete units of competency at an approved Registered Training Organisation and work under the supervision of a licensed operator. You will also need to keep an approved logbook to record competencies achieved during training. Assessment by an accredited assessor will then be required. The Perform High Risk Work Licence is issued under the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work.

You must be 18 years of age to be eligible to obtain a Perform High Risk Work Licence. However, training may commence at a younger age.

All those who work in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC). In NSW, training is conducted by Registered Training Organisations authorised by SafeWork NSW. In the ACT, training is provided by Registered Training Organisations approved by WorkSafe ACT.

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Wall and ceiling liners are employed by plastering subcontracting firms, building and construction companies, and businesses that manufacture plaster products. Many wall and ceiling liners are self-employed and work on a subcontract basis. The demand for wall and ceiling liners depends on activity in the building industry, particularly in the housing sector.

Trade qualifications are sought after, but are not essential. Demand is subject to changes in building activity. Qualified tradespeople are less likely to be affected by downturns in demand.