TCF&L Careers

Discover the training pathways to a career in the TCF&L industry

There is a wide range of career opportunities in the TCF&L sector that include creative skills like fashion design, dressmaking and millinery, and also specialised technical jobs involved in textile production, testing, grading and patternmaking.  

The TCF&L industries are diverse and cover a range of different products including apparel, made-up textiles, household products, carpet, footwear and technical textiles. There are approximately 45,400 Australians employed by TCF&L and it contributes almost $5.5 billion in industry value added to the Australian economy (source: Outlook for the TCF Manufacturing Industries fact sheet).

The table below is a sample of careers available: 

 

TCF&L CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS 

 

SECTOR

JOB TITLE

QUALIFICATION

INDICATIVE

SALARY (k)

Product Development

Product Developer

Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology

$65 - $90

Product Development

Apparel Designer

Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology

$63 - $73

Product Development

Textile Designer

Diploma of Textile Design & Development

$46 - $56

Product Development

Assistant Designer

Certificate IV in Applied Fashion Design and Technology

$38 - $44

Pre-Production

Garment Technologist

Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology

$49 - $67

Pre-Production

Patternmaker

Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology

$60 - $90

Pre-Production

CAD Grader/ Marker

Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology

$47 - $61

Pre- Production

Sample Machinist

Certificate III in Clothing Production

$38 - $43

Operations & Supply

Operations Manager

Advanced Diploma of Competitive Manufacturing

$98 - $120

Operations & Supply

Production Manager

Diploma of Competitive Manufacturing

$63 - $85

Operations & Supply

Quality Control Manager

Certificate IV in Clothing Production

$40 - $53

Operations & Supply

Warehouse Manager

Diploma of Logistics Management

$50 - $67

Retail Operations

Category Buyer

Advanced Diploma of Fashion Design, Merchandising & Marketing

$63 - $78

Retail Operations

National Retail Manager

Advanced Diploma of Management

$84 - $155

Retail Operations

Store Manager

Diploma of Retail Management

$40 - $45

Retail Operations

Visual Merchandiser

Diploma of Visual Merchandising

$44 - $50

Sales & Marketing

Sales Executive/Rep

Certificate IV in Frontline Management

$50 - $85

Sales & Marketing

State Manager

Diploma of Management

$60 - $80

Sales & Marketing

National Sales Manager

Advanced Diploma of Management

$70 - $106

 

 

More information on the variety of careers and training pathways in the TCF&L industries can be found at the following links:   

TCF&L TRAINING AND CAREER LINKS

 

Skills Victoria - Victorian Government site that provides information on education and training options to the community including apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, trainers, businesses and employers. Search online for jobs and their related courses, eg fashion designer, textile technician, footwear worker.    

 

Job Guide - Federal Government site that helps young people explore career options and make subject choices. Features hundreds of occupational profiles, including employment opportunities, personal requirements and education and training pathways.

 

myfuture - Australia's career information and exploration service. Features current career information, occupation profiles, job seeking tips, articles, videos and a search function for courses and scholarships in your area. myfuture is a joint initiative of Australian, state and territory governments.

 

Manufacturing Skills Australia - This website contains a wealth of information on over 150 jobs available within 13 manufacturing industry sectors and includes handy resources such as the MSA Manufacturing Careers InfoSheets.  

 

TAFE Courses Directory - Gives you the means to find the course most suited to you. With more than 30 study areas and 1800 courses, the directory can help you to find a pathway to your chosen career; improve your skills, knowledge and job prospects and find the best flexible option. Victorian Government site. Links to courses for fashion, textiles, footwear.

  

 

OTHER TRAINING & EDUCATION LINKS:

 

Going to Uni - Federal Government site with information on higher education for students in Australia. Features a national, searchable online resource for courses offered by Australian universities and higher education providers.

 

Adult, Community and Further Education - Adult Community Education (ACE) helps adults get back into learning, gain new skills and knowledge, and plan what other studies or work they might like to do. A Victorian Government site.

 

SkillsOneTV - Features hundreds of videos about getting a trade or skill. 

 

Study Melbourne - Victorian Government website for international students in Melbourne and Victoria's regional cities. 

 

youth.gov.au - The central hub of government information for young people.