What a Building and Plumbing Labourer is
A Building Labourer may:
- dig holes, spread soil, sand and gravel
- mix and pour concrete and plaster
- dismantle or erect signs and scaffolding
- transport and deliver building materials
- operate machinery, including hand and power tools, and heavy plant and vehicles.
A Plumbing Labourer may:
- maintain stormwater, drainage, and sewerage systems
- assist in installing toilets and washbasins
- install and maintain piping systems and water fixtures.
Find out more about Building and Plumbing Labourers on the Jobs and Skills Australia website.
Entry level requirements
You do not need formal qualifications to be a Building and Plumbing Labourer. Completing a recognised training course in building or plumbing may help. Work experience and being able to understand and speak basic English is an advantage.
A Building and Plumbing Labourer may be a perfect job if you:
- are fit and healthy
- work well with others
- can follow instructions
- like working outdoors
- have experience or are willing to learn.
Some examples of other entry level jobs related to Building and Plumbing Labourers include:
- Paving and Surfacing Labourer
- Earthmoving Labourer
- Drainage, Sewerage and Stormwater Labourer.
Skills and knowledge
Building and Plumbing Labourers need to be reliable, have a strong work ethic and be physically fit.
The top 5 skills employers are looking for in builders and plumbing labourers include:
- building and construction knowledge
- operation and control experience
- public safety and security
- communicating in a team
- knowledge and being able to use tools.
Having a certificate in building or plumbing can make you more employable. Completing a Certificate II in Construction Pathways, or Certificate II in Plumbing can help. To gain experience and build your knowledge you may want to do a course or training, such as:
- work zone traffic control – road labourer skill set
- arrange resources and prepare for the building and construction project.
- use basic plumbing hand tools
- use plumbing pipes, fittings and fixtures to simulate plumbing installations.
Use our course search tool to find related courses.
Visit the Apprenticeships Australia website to explore construction and plumbing services pathways.
Visit the Your Career website to find out more about builder’s labourers and plumber’s assistant.
Pay and hours
Hours will vary between full-time, part-time, and casual depending on where you work. You may need to start work early and work on evenings or weekends.
Find how much Building and Plumbing Labourers earns and what hours they work.
Licences and tickets
While not required, having certain licences or tickets can increase your chances of getting a job.
Some examples of licences and tickets for Building and Plumbing Labourers include:
- general construction induction training card
- current driver’s licence (medium rigid can be useful)
- clean drug and alcohol test results
- national police check
- first aid certificate
- manual handling training
- working with heights
- working in confined spaces
- asbestos awareness training
- hot work permit.
Visit the business.gov.au website to find a full list of licences and permits needed for the construction industry.
Employment outlook
Building and Plumbing Labourers are the sixth largest employing occupation in the construction industry. They employ 71,800 people. The future employment demand for Building and Plumbing Labourers is high and is expected to grow by 5.7% between 2023 and 2033.1
Seventy-six per cent of employed Building and Plumbing Labourers work full-time (45 hours per week on average), with 20% working part-time.2 The average age of workers is 32 years. Twenty-two per cent of workers don't have any post-school qualifications.3
Visit the Jobs Skills Australia website to find out more about Building and Plumbing Labourers.
Possible career pathways
You can progress your career from a Building and Plumbing Labourer to another occupation in the construction industry. There are many education and training options to help improve your career pathways based on your interests, skills, and experience.
As you develop new skills there are several related occupations you can choose from. You can find work across a variety of roles for example if you enter as a labourer and it is a good fit then you can progress into other roles, such as getting a trade qualification working as a technical assistant for building professionals, WH&S and business administration, and working with heavy plant. You can explore what suits you as you build confidence in the industry. Approach you employer to map out a pathway that suits your career goals.
In the building sector you could work as a:
- Builder's Labourer
- Labourer (not covered elsewhere)
- Paving and Surfacing Labourer
- Earthmoving Labourer
- Building Insulation Installer
- Project Builder.
In the plumbing sector you could work as a:
- Plumber (general)
- Plumbing Assistant
- Drainage, Sewerage, and Stormwater Labourer
- Drainer
- Roof Plumber.
Building and Plumbing Labourers can work in other industries such as:
- construction
- electricity, gas, water, and waste services
- manufacturing.
Visit the Jobs Hub website and watch the showcases building your career in construction.
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