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A General Labourer attends to manual labour tasks on a building or construction project. You might be involved with a large project and be part of a bigger team or you may work on a smaller job helping out a tradesperson or a builder. Your work will depend on the project involved but you might have to do things like clear a site of rubble and debris, unload building materials or get equipment ready for work to begin.
A General Labourer will often work long days and start early in the morning. You’ll spend a lot of time outdoors and have to be ready for physically demanding work and heavy lifting. You’ll change job sites regularly and will need to have access to transport to different sites. Teamwork is crucial for a General Labourer and you’ll have to be able to follow directions well.
There are 9 courses available for people who want to become a General Labourer. These are the top 5 most popular courses.
Possible job outcomes:
The CPC20220 Certificate II in Construction Pathways prepares you for work in the construction industry and gives you head start if you want to find a trade apprenticeship. You’ll learn how to read and interpret plans, take accurate measurements, and work safely on a building site — then choose electives that support a career in bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, plastering, tiling, or stonemasonry. Enquire now for the list of speciality areas and enrolment opportunities near you..
Average duration: 12 months.
The RII20120 Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation qualifies you for entry-level labouring jobs at mining and civil construction sites. This nationally recognised qualification introduces you to site safety, communication, and risk control, then teaches you a range of hands-on operational skills so you can support work teams and production operators. The course covers: traffic control, complying with site rules and procedures, performing measurements and calculations, operating equipment and vehicles, using hand and powertools, reading maps, welding and cutting, operational maintenance. Enquire now for the list of career outcomes, study units, and enrolment centres near you..
Average duration: 6 months.
Get started in civil construction (eg, roads, bridges, dams) with the RII20720 Certificate II in Civil Construction. This nationally recognised qualification prepares you for work on a typical construction site and covers the essential aspects of on-site safety, reading and interpreting plans, using hand and power tools, carrying out measurements and calculations. Enquire now for the course outline, list of electives, and the next enrolment intake..
Get a real start in the construction industry with the CPC10120 Certificate I in Construction. It’s a hands-on qualification — completed over 11 weeks at a state-of-the-art training facility — that prepares you for a trade apprenticeship. You’ll graduate job-ready and knowing how to undertake a basic construction project, work safely, handle construction materials, use essential tools and equipment PLUS the skills to interpret plans and specifications. Enquire now for a full list of training centres, intake dates, and your eligibility for a government subsidy or concession..
The Certificate I in Resources and Infrastructure Operations (RII10115) prepares you for entry level roles in the resources and mining sector. Over 6 months you’ll be introduced to this industry — while gaining essential skills and deciding if it’s the career path for you. Learn how to plan and organise your work, communicate with co-workers and supervisors, stay safe in the workplace, operate machines and vehicles, carry out accurate measurements, and use standard tools — you’ll also graduate with a qualification that is recognised by employers all over Australia. Enquire now for more information about how to enrol and what this course can do for you..
In Australia, a full time General Labourer generally earns $960 per week ($49,920 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
There are currently 38,200 General Labourers in Australia and this number has increased in recent years. Five years ago there were 34,000 people working as a General Labourer. General Labourers can find work in all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
A Certificate I or II in Construction is a great way to start if you’d like to begin a career as a General Labourer. You’ll explore topics like working safely on a building site and become familiar with common construction materials and tools. You’ll also develop some basic construction skills. If you’re interested in this sort of career you could also consider a Certificate II in Construction Pathways.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within building and civil construction. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Building
Blinds Installer
$1,157 weekly pay
Builders Labourer
$960 weekly pay
Floor Finisher
General Labourer
Asset Inspector
$1,800 weekly pay
Plasterer
$1,050 weekly pay
Stonemason
Wall and Ceiling Installer
$1,250 weekly pay
Wall and Floor Tiler
Waterproofer
$1,150 weekly pay
Civil Construction
Concreter
Construction Labourer
Construction Worker
Excavator Operator
General Hand
Loader Operator
Mobile Crane Operator
$1,400 weekly pay
Pipelayer
Rigger
Road Construction Worker
Road Marker
Steel Fixer
Traffic Controller
Building Estimator
$1,440 weekly pay
Civil Draftsperson
Construction Estimator
Construction Supervisor
Grader Operator
$1,540 weekly pay
Site Foreman
Building Consultant
$1,500 weekly pay
Building Contractor
$1,550 weekly pay
Civil Construction Supervisor
$2,200 weekly pay
Construction Manager
Construction Project Manager
Learn more about General Labourer courses in your area.