Glazier Jobs in Perth: Career Guide, Salary, and How to Get Started

Glaziers install glass in buildings — windows, doors, shopfronts, curtain walls, mirrors, shower screens, and balustrades. In Perth’s growing construction market, glaziers are in steady demand across residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

What Does a Glazier Do?

Glaziers work with glass and aluminium to install:

Windows and doors: Residential and commercial aluminium-framed windows and sliding doors
Curtain walls: Glass facade systems on commercial buildings and high-rises
Shopfronts: Retail and commercial glass frontages
Shower screens: Frameless and semi-frameless glass shower enclosures
Balustrades: Glass panels for balconies, stairs, and pool fences
Mirrors: Commercial and residential mirror installation
Skylights and roof glazing: Overhead glass installation
Splashbacks: Glass kitchen splashbacks
Specialty glass: Fire-rated glass, acoustic glass, security glass, and decorative glass

The work involves measuring, cutting, handling, transporting, and installing glass — often in custom sizes and shapes, and often at height.

Types of Glazing Work

Residential Glazing

Installing windows, doors, shower screens, mirrors, and balustrades in homes and apartments. Residential glaziers work across new builds, renovations, and replacement jobs.

Commercial Glazing

Larger-scale work on offices, shopping centres, schools, hospitals, and public buildings. Commercial glazing includes curtain wall systems, large shopfronts, and architectural glass features. This work is often more complex and better paid.

Architectural Glazing

High-end and specialty installations — structural glass, point-fixed systems, double-skin facades, and complex geometric glazing. Architectural glaziers work on premium buildings and require the highest level of skill.

Automotive Glazing

Fitting windscreens and windows in vehicles. This is a separate specialisation from construction glazing and is not covered in this guide.

Glazier Salary in Perth

Employed Glaziers

Apprentice (1st year): $25,000 to $30,000
Apprentice (final year): $45,000 to $55,000
Qualified glazier (residential): $60,000 to $80,000
Qualified glazier (commercial): $70,000 to $95,000
Experienced commercial glazier: $85,000 to $110,000
Glazing foreman: $100,000 to $130,000

Subcontract Glaziers

Some glaziers operate as subcontractors, particularly in residential work:

Shower screen installation: $150 to $400+ per screen (labour only)
Window installation: Varies widely by size and type
Balustrade installation: $100 to $250 per linear metre

Experienced subcontract glaziers can earn $100,000 to $140,000+ depending on volume.

How to Become a Glazier

Apprenticeship

The standard pathway is a Certificate III in Glass and Glazing (MSF30418), completed through a 3 to 4-year apprenticeship. This combines on-the-job training with TAFE or RTO studies.

During your apprenticeship you’ll learn:

Glass cutting, handling, and processing
Aluminium fabrication and frame assembly
Window and door installation
Curtain wall and shopfront installation
Shower screen and mirror installation
Balustrade installation
Reading plans and specifications
Safety — glass handling, working at heights, manual handling

Starting as a Glazier’s Offsider

Many people enter the glazing trade by working as an offsider (assistant) to a qualified glazier. This gives you hands-on exposure to the trade before committing to an apprenticeship. Some employers take on offsiders with the intention of offering an apprenticeship once they’ve demonstrated ability and commitment.

Skills and Qualities

Precision: Glass work requires exact measurements — there’s no room for error when cutting glass
Physical strength: Glass panels, especially large commercial sheets, are heavy and awkward to handle
Head for heights: Commercial glaziers regularly work on scaffolding, EWPs, and at height installing facade systems
Care and patience: Glass is expensive and breaks easily. One careless moment can destroy a piece worth thousands of dollars
Problem solving: Buildings are never perfectly square, and glaziers constantly adapt to real-world conditions
Teamwork: Large glass panels require multiple people to handle safely. Good communication with your crew is essential

Tickets and Licences

In addition to your trade qualification, glaziers may need:

White card — mandatory for all construction sites
Working at heights — for installing glass on scaffolding or EWPs
EWP licence — for operating elevated work platforms
Forklift licence — for moving glass and materials in the workshop and on site
Crane ticket or dogman licence — for lifting large glass panels into position
Driver’s licence — essential; a truck licence (MR or HR) is valuable for driving glass transport vehicles

Career Progression

A glazier’s career in Perth can progress through:

Apprentice glazier — learning the trade
Qualified glazier — working across residential and commercial projects
Senior glazier — handling complex installations and mentoring apprentices
Glazing foreman — supervising glazing crews on major projects
Project manager — managing glazing contracts and coordinating with builders
Business owner — running your own glazing company

The Perth Glazing Market

Demand for glaziers in Perth is driven by:

Residential construction: Every home needs windows and glass — the residential building boom keeps glaziers busy
Perth CBD development: Commercial towers and office buildings with large glass facades
Shopping centres and retail: Shopfronts, malls, and commercial fit-outs
Renovation and replacement: Upgrading older windows and glass in existing buildings
Building code changes: Energy efficiency requirements driving upgrades to double glazing and high-performance glass

Find Glazier Jobs Through Perth Trades Recruitment

Perth Trades Recruitment places glaziers in residential and commercial roles across Perth. Whether you’re a newly qualified glazier or an experienced commercial specialist, we can connect you with the right opportunities.

Contact Perth Trades Recruitment to find glazing jobs in Perth.