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Plasterer (Interior)

Interior plasterers plaster joints in walls or ceilings and coat them to make a paintable finish. They may also secure plasterboard to the inside framing of a building, which is called fixing.

Tasks & duties

Interior plasterers may do some or all of the following:

look at the plans and specifications made by the architects and draftspeople
advise clients on suitable products to use
erect mobile scaffolding if it is under five meters high
use stilts or walking frames to reach heights
install plasterboard and plaster fixtures
install scotias (wall and ceiling junctions) such as coving, and decorative cornices
mix or use pre-made plasters such as chemical set compounds and air drying compounds
manufacture and install fibrous sheets
apply plaster to the manufacturer's specifications
sand the finished area
clean up after the job
run their own business

Specialisations

Interior plasterers may specialise in plasterboard fixing or stopping, or using fibrous plaster. They may also specialise in making and installing decorative mouldings and cornices.

Skills & knowledge

Interior plasterers need to have:

knowledge of plastering materials, compounds and equipment
practical skills, including skill using a trowel to apply plaster
problem-solving skills
organisational ability, as plastering is a step-by-step process
good communication skills
knowledge of past and present decorating styles
some knowledge of the construction industry
knowledge of competitors' prices and services
basic maths skills

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become an interior plasterer, although most employers prefer you to do an apprenticeship and gain a National Certificate in Interior Systems. This qualification allows you to specialise in areas such as fibre cement fixing, fibre cement finishing, fibrous plaster, fibrous plaster manufacture and plasterboard finishing.

For further information contact the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation.

Secondary education

At least three years of secondary education is recommended. Useful subjects include maths and English.

Training on the job

Interior plasterers keep up to date with developments in the industry and learn about new products by reading manuals accompanying new products and attending industry conferences.