If you're looking for a fun, rewarding and well paid career in construction, Australia is the place to be. With a similar vibe to the UK and plenty of work available, now is the perfect time to start your job search. In this article, we'll take a look at the best construction jobs in Australia for 2022 and what you need to do to land an awesome job.
So, whether you're a seasoned tradesman searching for a new career opportunity or a first-time visitor to Australia looking for some work to fund your travels, read on to find out more about the best construction jobs down under.
There are many reasons why you might want to consider working in Australia's construction industry. The salaries are great, the work is fast pace and varied, and you can often find positions that offer great opportunities for career progression.
However, it's important to be aware that there are some specific requirements that you'll need to meet in order to work on a construction site in Australia.
If you're not a native speaker, your English must be fluent enough to comprehend your boss' commands. On sites, you'll constantly be in a hazardous environment - so it's crucial you can follow your employer's safety rules and directives. In addition, you must be able to read and write basic English in order to complete paperwork.
To step foot on any site, you will have to get yourself a White Card - this certifies that you can work safely on a site. Working on any site without this can result in huge fines for not only yourself, but your employer.
All new entrants to the construction industry in Australia must complete a general induction training program and demonstrate that PPE can be worn effectively. The aim of this program is to provide workers with an overview of the OHS responsibilities they have while working on a construction site. It covers topics such as housekeeping, manual handling, work equipment and safely operating some common tools.
All construction employees will be aware of safety equipment, health and security regulations, and other important information with the White Card. Regardless of your role, level and experience - the White Card is necessary for everyone working in the construction industry. It applies to everyone who works on a site, including supervisors, general labourers and contractors. It certifies that you have followed training and know-how to safely work on construction sites. The one card is recognised throughout Australia - so you'll be able to do it once and work in any state.
You can obtain your white card by completing an online course or attending a face-to-face training session. Once you have completed the course, you will need to pass an open-book test in order to receive your card. Typically, the online course can be complete in a several hours and if you decide to take the course in class, you'll need a whole day. The cost of the course ranges from $50 to $250 - dependent on your location and course provider. In class, there is an open-book exam that will test your knowledge and understanding from the day. If you apply online, you'll have to record a brief video introduction and demonstrate that you can effectively wear your PPE (hard hat, high vis etc).
In order to enrol for this Australian short course, you will need a Unique Student Identifier(USI). This is a free, government issued number that you will need to show to your training provider when you enrol in the course. If you don't have a USI, you can apply for one on the Australian government site.
As your passport number is linked to the USI, you will need a genuine Australian visa with full working rights. You will be able to apply for this number as soon as you have completed the visa application process (more info on working holiday visa's here)
We've partnered with EOT to deliver the White Card course to our customers. EOT is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that delivers nationally accredited training and can deliver the training online - so you can land in Australia, ready to work!
In order to work in construction, you obviously must be physically fit and able to work. Some of the tasks you'll be performing involve lifting heavy objects, so it's important that you're able to handle the demands of the job. Your stamina and endurance will also be put to the test, as you'll be working long hours in sometimes hot and humid conditions.
Dependent on your employer, job and location - other licenses may be required in order to carry out your job. This could include traffic management, heavy equipment operator, or skilled role licences. Here are some of the licenses and other permits you may come across:
There are a number of different construction jobs available in Australia. The salary you can earn will depend on your qualifications and experience, as well as the location of the job. Here are some of the best construction jobs that you can do in Australia:
The duties of a general labourer vary depending on the job site. However, most general labourers are responsible for manual tasks such as loading and unloading materials, setting up and taking down scaffolding, and digging trenches.
It is not necessary to have any qualifications or experience in order to work as a general labourer (other than a white card). However, it is important that you are physically fit and able to handle the demands of the job.
The pay for general labourers varies depending on the job, but the average hourly rate is between $25 and $60. It is also common for general labourers to receive overtime pay for working over 40 hours per week, holidays or weekends. There are many opportunities for general labourers to find work in Australia and almost all construction projects have a need for general labourers.
Roofers responsible for installing and repairing roofs. This includes tasks such as measuring and cutting roofing materials, installing flashings and guttering and applying waterproofing membranes.
In order to work as a roofer in Australia, you will need a construction induction card (white card) and a roofing licence.
The average salary for a roofer in Australia is $35 to $75 per hour, an average of around $82,875 per year. In addition, roofers may also receive bonuses and allowances. Roofers have a lot of potential in the coming years, with the construction sector projected to expand by around 10% over the next five years.
Carpenters are responsible for cutting, shaping and installing wooden structures and fixtures. This includes tasks such as measuring and cutting lumber and installing door frames, staircases and cabinets.
Carpenters typically work in the construction industry, although some may find work in the manufacturing or repair and maintenance industries.
The average salary for a carpenter in Australia is $35 to $55 per hour, which is around $74,771 per year. It is possible to earn more than this with experience and by working in larger cities such as Sydney, Melbourne or Perth.
To become a carpenter, you will need to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in carpentry. This usually takes four years to complete and involves both on-the-job and off-the-job training. As a high-in-demand skill, there are several options for permanent residency for carpentry in Australia.
Plumbers are responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining piping systems. This includes tasks such as measuring and cutting pipes, soldering joints and installing fixtures such as sinks, toilets and showers.
Plumbers typically work in the construction or maintenance industries. Some may also find work in the manufacturing or mining industries.
The average salary for a plumber in Australia is $26 to $55 per hour which is around $56,330. You may be able to earn more if you are working in a metropolitan area or if you have experience.
To become a plumber you will need to complete an apprenticeship which can take 1-2 years. You will need to repeat any UK plumbing qualifications you have as your qualification is not transferable. You will also need a separate licence for working with gas if your job requires it.
Painters are responsible for painting surfaces such as walls, ceilings and doors. This includes tasks such as preparing surfaces, mixing paint and applying finishes.
To be a painter, you will need good stamina as the job involves a lot of standing and bending. Dependent on the job, you may need previous experience as a painter and you will most likely need your white card and potentially an EWPA Yellow Card to use machinery such as scissor lifts to access high up areas. You may also require a working at heights ticket if your employer requires you to work at heights.
The average salary for a painter is $68,484 per year. To find a job as a painter, you can search online job boards or contact local painting contractors. You can also look for apprenticeship opportunities with painting companies.
You can find a job in the construction industry by searching online, in newspapers, or through agencies that deal with construction jobs. You can also ask family and friends if they know of any openings. Once you find a job that interests you, you will need to fill out an application and submit a resume.
The construction industry offers a variety of job types, from entry-level to managerial positions. There are also many different salary ranges, depending on the position and the company. Some jobs in the construction industry may require experience or training, while others may be entry-level positions.
Following are a few of the best methods to find a construction job.
Over2Aus has many jobs listed in the construction industry from all around Australia. You can search for jobs by keyword, location, and job type. At Over2Aus we can help find you an exciting, well-paid, and secure job in the construction industry.
We can assist you in obtaining your white card, as well as any other qualifications or licenses you may need. You can trust us to help you get your dream construction job.
We can also process your working holiday visas and ensure that you arrive with everything you need to get started. Once you've found employment, we can assist with getting more permanent visas if you are eligible for sponsorship. For more information about visas, please visit our visas page.
There are many websites that list construction jobs, such as Indeed.com, SimplyHired and CareerBuilder. You can use these websites to search and apply for construction jobs by location, job title or keyword.
There are a ton of facebook groups put together for backpackers to help find jobs, accommodation and other stuff. Irish Around Melbourne, Irish Around Sydney and Irish Around Brisbane are excellent groups and even if you end up not looking for a construction job, these pages are incredibly useful for other things and have a ton of backpackers in them that are in a similar position to you.
Local newspapers are another great resource for finding construction jobs. Many companies list job openings in the classifieds section of the paper. You can also check the online versions of newspapers, which often have job listings as well.
You can also look for ads in national newspapers, such as The Age, The Australian or the Herald Sun. These newspapers often have sections devoted to job listings.
There are a ton of agencies that deal specifically with construction jobs and can help you find a job that matches your skills and experience. They may also be able to provide you with information about salary ranges and benefits as well as actively seek out jobs for you if you decide to change employer or location
Most of these agencies are free for you, you'll just need to provide some information about your work experience, education and what you can commit to.
One of the best ways to find a job is through family and friends. They may know of construction companies that are hiring, or they may be able to put you in touch with someone who can help you get a job.
If you're interested in finding a construction job in Australia, Over2Aus can help. If its your first time to Aus, we suggest coming on a working holiday visa - which will give you a year to work and figure out what you are doing long term. Check out our working holiday visa 'complete package' to land with everything you need to get going.
Over2Aus is founded by backpackers who have already embarked on their Australian adventure and want to help you do the same! We all fell in love with this beautiful island and the possibilities and experiences that it offered. Our objective is to make travelling, studying, and working in Australia as simple as possible. We've created a strong network of job opportunities, exclusive offers, visa support and can help with just about anything!
Get In Touch today to get started on your next big adventure and check out our handy travel checklist for step by step guides on moving to Australia!
