Makes, rebuilds and repairs upholstered articles such as chairs, sofas, beds and mattresses.

Confers with clients to determine materials and cost of furniture items to be made or repaired; makes and repairs wooden frames, and removes and replaces defective springs; removes coverings, webbing and padding from old furniture; secures material, padding, springs and webbing to articles to be upholstered; measures and cuts materials and covering furniture; seams cushions and joins sections of covering material; attaches ornamental trims, braids and buttons; pads and covers spring units to upholster mattresses; may finish wooden surfaces on furniture; may remove stains from fabric.

Works indoors in workrooms, workshops, factories and furniture shops. The work area will usually be adequately heated and ventilated and have large open work spaces. Work spaces may be messy and dusty.

• Physical demand is medium to heavy.
• Standing is frequent to constant, and sitting is frequently required at sewing machines and over-lockers. Walking is frequently required to collect and move materials and equipment. Squatting, crouching or kneeling, and twisting of the body or neck is occasionally required to work on furniture items.
• Stretching out and across is frequently required to mark out and attach fabric. Pulling and pushing and bending is frequently required to get fabrics and padding into place. Lifting and carrying is occasionally to frequently required when moving furniture and is likely to be medium to heavy physical demand
• Contact with dust is occasional, especially when renovating older furniture. Employees frequently to constantly use a range of hand and electric tools including measuring equipment, fabric cutting equipment, sewing machines, staple guns, tacks, hammers and a variety of other hand tools.
• Repetitive movements of the hands and arms for tasks such as tacking and sewing are constantly required.
• Driving is not required.
• Mental skills necessary include sewing and other practical skills as well as problem-solving, design and organisational skills and an eye for detail and colour.

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.

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