Qualified Carpenter – Leading Hand Career Opportunity

Garden Studios | Melbourne, VIC

Pay: $55–$65 per hour including GST, depending on experience and ability.

Employment: Initially subcontractor, with the prospect to transition into a permanent full-time Leading Hand role for the right candidate.

Location: Melbourne-wide
Start: Immediate start available

About the Opportunity

We're looking for a motivated, hardworking and recently qualified carpenter to join our growing team at Garden Studios.

Our work primarily involves small second dwellings and residential extensions, giving you the opportunity to gain experience across multiple stages of residential construction.

Approximately 80% of our framing is light gauge steel (LGS), with the remaining 20% being traditional timber framing. Previous LGS experience is advantageous, but we're happy to teach the right person.

We're particularly interested in someone early in their carpentry career who is ambitious, takes pride in their work and wants to eventually progress into site supervision or become a registered builder.

About the Role

You'll be involved in a broad range of residential carpentry work, including:

- Light gauge steel and timber framing
- Floor systems and subfloor construction
- Roof framing and roof battens
- External cladding and finishing
- Window and door installation
- Internal fix-out carpentry
- Decking and general carpentry
- Working alongside and assisting apprentices
- Reading plans, problem-solving and completing work independently

Who We're Looking For

Ideally,



you'll be a recently qualified carpenter with around 0–2 years of post-apprenticeship experience.

We're looking for someone who:

- Has a strong work ethic and takes pride in quality workmanship
- Is reliable, punctual and hardworking
- Can work independently without constant supervision
- Shows initiative and has good problem-solving skills
- Can work effectively with other carpenters and apprentices
- Has good communication skills and a positive attitude
- Is organized and pays attention to detail
- Is eager to learn and take on greater responsibility
- Has genuine ambitions to progress into a leadership role

You don't need previous Leading Hand experience. We're more interested in your attitude, ability and willingness to develop.

Essential Requirements

- Certificate III in Carpentry
- Construction White Card
- Current driver's license
- Own ute or van
- Own carpentry tools
- ABN and appropriate subcontractor insurances

What We Offer

- $55–$65 per hour including GST, depending on experience and ability
- Consistent, ongoing work across Melbourne
- Standard working hours generally 7:00 am – 3:30 pm, with some variation depending on the project
- Saturday work available when workload permits




- Opportunity to transition into a permanent full-time Leading Hand role
- Hands-on mentoring from an experienced registered domestic builder
- Experience across multiple stages of residential construction
- Opportunities to develop site supervision, programming and trade management skills
- Long-term guidance and support towards obtaining your own Domestic Builder – Unlimited (DB-U) registration, subject to eligibility
- A small, supportive team where initiative, reliability and quality workmanship are recognized

Career Progression

We're not just looking for someone to fill a position. We're looking for someone who wants to build a long-term career.

For the right person, there's a genuine pathway from qualified carpenter to Leading Hand, with the opportunity to develop the skills and experience required to eventually manage residential building projects.

Progression will be based on performance, capability and willingness to take on responsibility, rather than a fixed time-frame.

How to Apply

If you're a qualified carpenter looking for an opportunity to develop your skills and progress your career, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply directly through Indeed with your resume.

Applications including a cover letter will be prioritized. Tell us a little about yourself, your carpentry experience and why you're interested in progressing towards a Leading Hand role.

Immediate start available for the right candidate.

Garden Studios

Pay: $55.00 – $65.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person

📌 Qualified Carpenter – Leading Hand Career Opportunity (Melbourne)
🏢 TJI Group
📍 Melbourne