How to become a Stonemason

Stonemason

Stonemasons cut and shape hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs for the construction and renovation of stone structures and monumental masonry (stonework for cemeteries).

Personal requirements for a Stonemason

  • Enjoy practical work
  • Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • Able to work at heights
  • Able to work with your hands
  • Self-motivated
  • Aptitude for technical drawing and working with computers is an advantage

Education & Training for a Stonemason

To become a stonemason you usually have to complete an apprenticeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.


Additional information

In some states and territories, stonemasons must either be accredited as or work under the supervision of a registered building practitioner. All those who work in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC).

Duties & Tasks of a Stonemason

Stonemasons:

  • Cut and shape stone using machine or hand tools, taking into account the characteristics of the stone being used
  • Cut and polish granite and marble for use in construction, such as for kitchen bench tops and bathroom vanity units
  • Design, cut and carve monumental masonry, such as memorial tablets and bases for statues, using templates for detailed work and a variety of chisels, punches and hammers, depending on the type of stone being used
  • Cut lettering into stonework by marking out the letters and then cutting or chiselling them with hand-held tools or sandblasting equipment
  • Construct walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks
  • Lay stone paving
  • Lay granite or marble floor tiles
  • Fix stone facades to buildings
  • Repair and replace stonework on old buildings, churches and monuments.

Tasks

  • Cuts, shapes, and polishes stones and bricks using machines and hand tools, and shapes bricks to fit irregular spaces.
  • Checks vertical and horizontal alignment.
  • Erects scaffolding.
  • Constructs walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks.
  • Seals foundations with damp resistant materials and spreads layers of mortar to serve as base and binder for blocks, using trowels.
  • Repairs and maintains bricks, cement blocks and related structures.
  • Studies plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures.
  • Designs and cuts monumental masonry including lettering.

Working conditions for a Stonemason

Stonemasons often work in a noisy environment.


Employment Opportunities for a Stonemason

Stonemasons are employed by construction companies to work on stone structures and by monument fabricators to make monuments and carve lettering. Some are self-employed. Stonemasonry is a small and specialised trade either focusing on the renovation and maintenance of old buildings or on monumental masonry. The use of masonry in construction has largely been superseded by modern techniques.Demand is also affected by the number of restoration programs for old buildings and the trend for commercial stone facades, as well as stone and terrazzo furniture and components. The nature of a stonemason's job changes with the introduction of new techniques in cutting and forming stonework, requiring stonemasons to keep up to date with advanced equipment and the skills required to operate it.


Specializations

Stonemason

Stonemasons cut and shape hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs for the construction and renovation of stone structures and monumental masonry (stonework for cemeteries).

  • Average age
    Average age
    37 years
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    Stable
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    1% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    43 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    $2,070
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Medium skill
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Lower unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    84% Full-Time
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    4,400 workers
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 1.9%
    NSW: 31.8%
    NT: 0.4%
    QLD: 17.3%
    SA: 6.2%
    TAS: 1.5%
    VIC: 24.7%
    WA: 16.2%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 4.1%
    20-24: 11.1%
    25-34: 27.2%
    35-44: 25.4%
    45-54: 19.9%
    55-59: 6.4%
    60-64: 3.6%
    65 and Over: 2.3%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4%
    Bachelor degree: 3.4%
    Certificate III/IV: 43.7%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.5%
    Year 10 and below: 20.9%
    Year 11: 6.8%
    Year 12: 20.7%
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