Your interests
This industry may suit if you:
- are willing to work early starts and long days
- are punctual and reliable
- can read simple plans and instructions
- can safely use hand tools and plant equipment
- have an enthusiasm for building and construction
- enjoy working outdoors and with your hands
- are able to adapt to changes in work environment
- can work in physically demanding roles.
Things to consider
As a construction worker you could work in a variety of work areas, such as:
- project, site and office administration work. This work may include:
- contract management
- purchasing and accounts
- warehousing work and logistics
- human resources management.
- technical roles in fields like surveying, cost estimation, architectural drafting and occupational health and safety.
- building new infrastructure and public assets on major civil construction projects. This work occurs in metropolitan, regional and remote areas. It may include:
- building roads, bridges, tunnels
- constructing new suburbs, rail, ports and mines.
- working on residential or commercial building construction sites. Work includes both large- and small-scale projects and might include:
- the build and fit-out of new houses and apartments
- renovating and repairs to existing properties
- fit out of business premises. This includes offices, shops, restaurants, cafés, warehouses and factories.
- Working on major construction projects like building new infrastructures. This work occurs in metropolitan, regional and remote areas and includes:
- building roads, bridges, tunnels
- constructing new suburbs, rail, ports and mines.
- demolition and site preparation services including:
- operation of heavy machinery
- erecting and maintaining scaffolding and barriers (to ensure safety of workers and the public).
Around 9.5% of all workers in Australia have their main job in this industry, with 14% working part time. Female workers make up 14% which presents an excellent opportunity to attract more women into the industry.
There has been an upward trend in employment in the construction industry over the past 20 years. The increase of 67,800 workers or 5.3% in the past 12 months reflects significant job opportunities. The future growth of the construction industry is expected to rise by 9.5% between May 2023 to May 2033.
Around 86% of people in the construction industry work full-time. Jobs and Skills Australia reports the average age of workers in this industry is 38. The median pay is $1,538 per week before tax, which is higher than all industries median earnings of $1,300. This weekly pay is only a guide. Your salary will depend on your qualifications, experience, and skills.1
Entry-level roles
Many businesses advertise entry-level roles and will provide on-the-job training. Your attitude, being punctual and how you present yourself is important in getting and staying in work.
Construction industry work includes many different entry-level roles, such as:
- Builder's Labourer/Apprentice
- Concreter
- Handyperson
- Painting
- Paving and Surfacing Labourer
- Garden Labourer
- Road Traffic Controller.
Visit the Jobs and Skills Australia website and in the occupation profile search field, type the occupations to find more information.
Entry requirements
Businesses in this industry will invest the time to train staff in the skills for the role. Employers may consider skills you have gotten from other jobs. It is also common to start in this industry as an apprentice.
Some roles may be physically demanding, and job ads will make this clear.
Licences and tickets
Construction workers need a construction induction training card (also known as a white card) and safety training before starting work.
Workers doing high risk activities will need other tickets, training or licences. Licenses help keep people safe. Licensing requirements are set by state and territory authorities. This means the requirements vary by location. High risk activities include:
- asbestos removal
- traffic control
- operation of cranes and heavy machinery
- demolition.
Depending on the role, you may need:
- a driver’s license
- Construction white card
- national police check clearance
- working with heights card
- basic first aid training
Find a job in the construction industry
Finding jobs can be one of the most challenging parts of starting a career in the industry.
You might not see a lot of entry level vacancies on construction business websites. This is because many businesses rely on other organisations to recruit staff. These organisations include:
- recruitment agencies and labour hire firms
- group training organisations
- apprenticeship network providers to source new candidates.
Contact businesses via reception or their website for entry level job information. Submit an expression of interest to the employer. An expression of interest should include your resume and cover letter outlining:
- why you want to work for the company
- How your values and attributes make you suitable for a career path in this industry
For trade apprenticeship and construction administration trainee jobs you could try:
- an organisation with advertised vacancies for tradespeople and construction administration roles
- large employers who advertise entry level programs on their websites.
Online job boards can make finding a job easier. You can customise searches and apply with a few clicks. Go to the Workforce Australia jobs board, and use the keywords function to search for jobs.
Try visiting Find employers hiring now on the Jobs Hub website to find jobs in the construction industry.
Visit the Jobs Hub website and watch the showcase on building your career in construction.
There can be competition for entry level roles. You may want to consider a short course to build some starting skills. Taking a course in an area of interest can show you have learnt some relevant skills and knowledge.
How to apply for a job in construction
Spend some time researching businesses that offer entry level vacancies in this field. This will help you tailor your job applications. Use business websites to learn about organisations and the projects they are delivering. This will help you understand what type of construction work is most interesting to you. The time you spend will also help you prepare for job interviews. Employers will expect you to have a basic understanding of the kind of work they do.
Find out about common interview questions. Watch these videos for interview tips for entry-level roles.
Explore the services, resources, and tools available on Workforce Australia website to support you in your job search journey. Find tips to develop your application and prepare for an interview.
Check out Job Jumpstart. It offers resources and activities to help you work out what jobs might suit you.
Career opportunities
This industry is ideal if you want to work your way up from an entry level role.
Entry level roles may progress into team leader, supervisory or manager roles. Many people work their way up the career ladder by gaining relevant experience over time.
If you want a change, or to advance your career, there are transferrable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving if you have worked in:
- manufacturing
- transport, postal and warehousing
- administrative and support services.
Soft skills that the construction industry might need are:
- teamwork and collaboration
- problem solving
- focus on safety
- time management
- written and verbal communication
- leadership qualities
- adaptability.
Some tasks requiring skillsets could be to:
- evaluate properties for repair or upgrade
- design, plan and coordinate construction activities
- undertake woodworking or carpentry
- cut or replace glass
- apply paint or finishes
- using climbing or lifting equipment.2
You can progress your career from entry level roles in a few different ways. For example:
- labourers doing shovel work can progress into operating excavators, rollers, and scrapers
- labourers can progress to foreperson and manage a team of labourers
- Once you have experience as a supervisor you can branch out on your own. You could start your own business as a subcontractor.
Check out the Your Career Bullseye poster (PDF) (search for construction) to see the different occupations you can work in the construction industry.
Apprenticeships and training options
If you want to work in a trade, you will need to do an apprenticeship. There are several trades that lead to work in the construction industry, such as:
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Metal Fabricator
- Glazier
- Painter
- Plasterer
- Welder
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Carpenters
- Tiler
- Cabinet Maker
- Concreter.
If you want to become an apprentice, Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers are the first point of contact to get started. They connect apprentices and trainees with employers and support you throughout your apprenticeship.
Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website to:
Visit the Construction, Plumbing and Services webpage to find courses and gain qualifications for:
- carpentry and joinery
- plumbing and gas fitting
- bricklaying
- plastering
- painting and decorator
- floor and wall tiling
- roofing
- concreting
- stone masonry
- demolition
- fire systems design
- shopfitting
- swimming pool construction
- sign writing.3
Before you start trade training you need a job offer from an employer. Find vacancies on other job boards such as:
Visit the Your Career website to search for education and training courses to help start your career in the construction industry. This website has information on fee-free TAFE courses in all states and territories. The Australian Apprenticeships website also has information on qualifications for the construction industry.
University courses
Some workers in this industry get university qualifications. Search for university courses on the Course Seeker website.
Universities offer degrees in:
- construction
- construction management
- building and construction
- construction technology.
Self-Employment Assistance
One in three construction workers are self-employed.
Self-Employment Assistance can help you turn your business idea into a viable business, or even help with your existing business, through flexible services like:
- exploring self-employment workshops
- business plan development
- small business training
- business advice sessions
- business health checks
- small business coaching
You may also be eligible for financial support while you start and run your business as part of Small Business Coaching.
Self-Employment Assistance can give you the skills to establish and operate your own business in the construction industry, including:
- identifying gaps in the market
- finance and bookkeeping
- marketing
- connecting with supplier and customer
- executing a business plan.
Businesses can be in many forms, for example, you could start a business in:
- painting internal and external houses or buildings
- paving driveways or outdoor sitting areas
- fencing around yards or rural properties
- exterior remodelling such as building pergolas and garages.
Find out more about starting your own business.
Volunteer
Volunteer work can be a way to gain experience and learn new and transferrable skills such as learning to work in team environments and improving your communication, organisation and listening skills. You can volunteer to work as a one-off for a few hours or more regularly if you want.
You can find volunteering opportunities in your local area at the GoVolunteer website.
More information
There are a range of tools and resources that can help you decide if you will be the right fit for this industry.
