How to become a Tiler

If you’re looking for a lucrative career in the trades, becoming a tiler is a great way to go. As a tiler, you can work with a variety of products and materials like ceramic tiles, vinyl, marble, stone, and more. Plus, the job offers flexible hours and good pay. So how do you become a tiler in Australia? Let’s run through the steps in this handy guide.

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‍Step 1: Complete a VET course

You don’t need any formal qualifications or experience to become a tiler in Australia; however, there are some courses available that can help you get up to date on the latest techniques and tools of the trade. Some of these courses can be taken online or through vocational schools in your area. Tilers who complete a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course will typically obtain a Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling.

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‍Step 2: Do an apprenticeship as a tiler

One of the best ways to become a tiler in Australia is to complete an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, and typically last for three to four years. An apprenticeship is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter a particular trade or profession. This will give you hands-on experience and knowledge in tiling that will prove invaluable when starting out on your own.

Step 3: Join the industry body

Joining a tiling association, such as the Australian Tile Council, can provide access to industry events, training opportunities, and job listings. Becoming an Australian Tile Council member costs between $150 to $2,000 depending on the type of package you want, and it’s a great way to network and build your profile in the industry.

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‍Step 4: Launch your tiling business

Now that you have the right skills and experience, it’s time to establish your tiling business. The first place to start is to create a detailed business plan. This should include details on your target market, services offered, pricing, and marketing strategy. You’ll need to register your business name and obtain an ABN. You can take this quick quiz to help you determine the best name for your business. After starting your tiling business you’ll also need to get insurance such as public liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance.

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Step 5: Select your invoicing software

Now that you have a business set up, it's time to start earning some money. Thriday has the best invoicing software for tilers, as it combines quotes and invoicing into one solution. You can start by issuing a quote to clients, and if they accept that, you can then convert that into an invoice. Once the invoice is paid, Thriday will automatically reconcile the income, update the status of the invoice to paid and stop sending any automated reminders to the client.

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‍Step 6: Lodge your taxes

After you start earning income for your tiling business, you’ll need to turn your attention to preparing for tax time. If you are registered for GST, you’ll need to lodge monthly, quarterly or annual BAS. Using a tool like Thriday, you can automate BAS lodgments to save you a huge amount of time and money. With Thriday, you also get access to business bank accounts*, Visa Debit cards* and receipt scanning software. This helps you track your expenses and ensures you claim the right tax deductions. Finally, to get paid, you’ll need to invoice your clients. Thriday has in-built invoicing and quoting software that can help you get paid on time with automated payment reminders.

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Becoming a successful tiler takes dedication, hard work, and plenty of practice but it is well worth it for those who love working in building and construction. Tiling is a fun trade to practice, and with many Australians need tiling work to be done, you’ll have plenty of business demand to take advantage of. By following the steps outlined above you should have no problem starting a successful tiling business in Australia.