OSCA occupation

OSCA 399938: Shipwright

Constructs, fits out and repairs ships. This record sits in Other Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers. Related ANZSIC industry links are included for faster classification cross-checking. Skill level 3 is attached to this occupation record.

Should you use OSCA or ANZSCO?

OSCA 2024 is the current Australian occupation classification for storing, organising and reporting occupation information. Use this OSCA record for current Australian statistical and analytical classification work.

Some migration and administrative programs still specify ANZSCO 2022. Check the exact system named by the agency or form rather than replacing the code automatically.

Check the current ABS guidance on OSCA and ANZSCO use

Official ANZSCO correspondence

Role overview

Constructs, fits out and repairs ships.

Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.

Occupation facts

Skill level
3
Major group
3 Technicians and Trades Workers
Sub-major group
39 Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Minor group
399 Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers
Unit group
3999 Other Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers

Tasks

  • Studies and understands detailed design drawings and specifications for ships
  • Chooses appropriate materials for constructing various parts of ships considering strength, durability and weight
  • Constructs ship frameworks, hulls and decks using hand and power tools and advanced machinery, ensuring accurate alignment and fitting
  • Fits and installs parts of ships such as engines, propellors and navigation equipment in compliance with design specifications
  • Repairs and maintains ships to ensure they are seaworthy
  • Inspects and tests ships structures and systems for quality and functionality

Skill level guidance

Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.

How to use this occupation page

Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.

The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.

Compare before choosing

Compare OSCA 399938 with related occupations

Compare roles in the same OSCA unit group by their official definition, skill level, tasks and recognised alternative titles.

Comparison pointCurrent code399938 Shipwright399931 Boat Builder and Repairer399932 Diver
Official role definitionConstructs, fits out and repairs ships.Builds, repairs and modifies boats.Swims underwater to undertake tasks such as seafood gathering, research, salvage and construction.
Skill levelSkill Level 3Skill Level 3Skill Level 3
Key tasks
  • Studies and understands detailed design drawings and specifications for ships
  • Chooses appropriate materials for constructing various parts of ships considering strength, durability and weight
  • Constructs ship frameworks, hulls and decks using hand and power tools and advanced machinery, ensuring accurate alignment and fitting
  • Fits and installs parts of ships such as engines, propellors and navigation equipment in compliance with design specifications
  • Reads, analyses and interprets technical drawings and plans for boat construction
  • Builds and repairs boats using various materials such as wood, fibreglass, carbon fibre, metal, glass, reinforced plastic and Kevlar
  • Modifies boat designs and structures to meet customer requirements
  • Installs and fits out boat interiors including cabinetry, fixtures and fittings
  • Plans and prepares for diving operations, including assessing risks and determining appropriate equipment and techniques
  • Inspects and maintains diving equipment
  • Enters water and swims underwater to perform tasks such as seafood gathering, research, salvage and construction
  • Uses tools and equipment underwater to complete tasks

Comparison uses occupation definitions, skill levels, tasks and title variants from the ABS OSCA data files.

Frequently asked questions

What does OSCA 399938 do?

Shipwright is the current ABS occupation record used to describe a specific occupation. It sits in the OSCA hierarchy and carries skill-level context plus related titles and tasks.

How should I read the skill level?

The skill level tells you the educational or training depth that the ABS associates with the occupation. It is a classification signal, not a salary band or a qualification checklist on its own.

Why is industry context shown on an occupation page?

Industry context helps when the title is common or ambiguous. It shows where the occupation is typically employed so you can compare it with the right ANZSIC family.

Source and trust

Official source
ABS OSCA 2024 release and correspondence tables
Last reviewed
2026-04-17

This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.

Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.

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