Studies drawings and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures; orders and selects timbers and materials, and prepares layouts; cuts materials, and assembles and nails cut and shaped parts; erects framework and roof framing, lays sub-flooring and floorboards and verifies trueness of structures; nails fascia panels, sheaths roofs, and fits exterior wall cladding, and door and window frames; assembles prepared wood to form structures and fits ready to install; cuts wood joints; may construct concrete framework; may repair existing fittings; may work with plastic laminates, perspex and metals.

• Carpenters work outdoors predominantly in most weather conditions but indoors or under cover for interior construction renovations when pre-fabricating components. Works on a wide variety of construction/building sites. May undertake specialised roles.
• Frequently works in exposed situations if a builder on partially completed constructions and at height. Worksites may be dirty, dusty and wet. Carpenters and joiners use a variety of personal protective equipment.
• Joiners work indoors in dusty joinery/woodworking workshops and do on-site installation work. Joinery workshops are likely to have adequate heating and dust extraction equipment.

• Physical demand is medium to very heavy.
• Standing is constantly required, walking is frequently required. Sitting is not required.
• Stretching up and across, bending, and twisting of the body or neck are required frequently, squatting, crouching and/or kneeling is occasionally required.
• Lifting and carrying is constantly required. Climbing ladders or work on scaffold is frequently required often at heights/on roofs (not joiners).
• Repetitive movements are frequently required with the use of hands and arms for sawing, hammering and fixing.
• Driving to worksites may be frequently required if self-employed and need to transport materials/supplies. Joiners may work entirely at a factory.
• Use a range of hand and machine construction tools including hammers, handsaws, bench saws, nail guns, glue guns, chisels, shovels and concrete mixers.
• Mental skills necessary include building, planning and organisational skills.

• A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.
• Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) licencing is required in order to undertake or supervise Restricted Building Work, unless supervised by another LBP.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.