Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
Build vessels from the ground up — fibreglass, timber, and everything in between. Your finished product ends up on the water.
Already considering carpentry, joinery, or construction?
Boat builders use the same core skills as carpenters — measuring, cutting, fitting, finishing. But instead of building houses or furniture, you're constructing hulls, fitting out decks, and working with fibreglass, marine timber, and composite materials. The tools are familiar. The environment is completely different. And at the end of the day, what you've built floats.
What is a Boat Builder?
Boat builders construct and repair recreational and commercial vessels. The work spans fibreglass lamination, hull construction, structural framing, fitting hardware, and the final fit-out that turns a bare hull into a finished boat. It combines carpentry, fibreglass fabrication, and marine engineering — and the end result floats.
What will you actually do?
- Lay up fibreglass hulls and decks using moulds, resins, and reinforcing materials
- Cut and fit structural timber components — frames, stringers, transoms
- Install hardware: cleats, hatches, fuel systems, and fittings
- Sand, fair, and gelcoat hulls to a smooth, professional finish
- Repair damaged vessels — osmosis treatment, structural repairs, refits
- Read and interpret technical drawings and construction plans
Why choose this trade?
- Build something real — boats you've worked on will be on the water for decades
- Variety of skills — fibreglass, timber, metal, and mechanical work in one trade
- Work in boatyards, manufacturing facilities, or boutique custom builders
- Growing demand for renovation and refit work on existing vessels
- Transferable skills across marine, construction, and manufacturing industries
What Can You Earn?
APPRENTICE PAY (approximate — varies by employer and award)
| Year | Approx. Weekly Pay | Approx. Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ~$620–$750/week | ~$32,000–$39,000 |
| Year 2 | ~$750–$900/week | ~$39,000–$47,000 |
| Year 3 | ~$900–$1,050/week | ~$47,000–$55,000 |
| Year 4 | ~$1,050–$1,250/week | ~$55,000–$65,000 |
Qualified tradesperson: $55,000 – $95,000+ per year
Source: SEEK & Glassdoor 2025–26. SEEK job postings average $77,250/year for boat builders. Experienced builders on custom or luxury craft command higher rates.
The Pathway
- Find an employer — a boat builder, boatyard, or marine manufacturer. Boating Careers can connect you.
- Enrol in the Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction at AUIE
- Complete your apprenticeship combining practical work with structured training
- Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification and hands-on experience
Still in school? SBATs are available — get a head start before you finish Year 12.
Not sure yet? Come to an Immersion Day first.
Get a real behind-the-scenes look at the industry before you commit to anything. Meet the tradespeople, see the work up close, and find out if this is the right path for you.
Course Details
| Qualification: | Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction |
| Provider: | Australian Institute of Education (AUIE) |
| Duration: | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) |
| Study mode: | On-the-job training + structured training |
| SBAT available: | Yes — can begin in Year 11 or 12 |
Is this trade for me?
- You enjoy making things and working with your hands
- You're interested in construction, carpentry, or fabrication
- You like building something you can be genuinely proud of
- You're comfortable working in a workshop or boatyard environment
- You want a trade that crosses multiple disciplines
For parents: A diverse trade with skills that transfer broadly. Graduates work in boat manufacturing, custom builds, maintenance yards, and marine repairs — with clear progression to supervisory roles.
Thinking about a career as a Boat Builder?
We'll help you understand your options, find the right employer, and get connected with the right training provider — at no cost to you.
Contact Boating Careers — we'll put you in touch
Already decided? Go straight to the course details:
View the full course at AUIE →A 2-day taste of life as a marine technician
Hands-on training at the Mercury Marine facility, delivered by OEDA in partnership with Australia's leading outboard brands. Perfect for students considering a trade or weighing up their next step.