Construction Roles and What You Can Expect to Earn

Despite events that have caused a fluctuation in the construction industry over the past few years, it remains a robust and leading industry in the Australian economy. The opportunities for employment and promotion are vast.

In this blog we’ll examine some of the opportunities available to those choosing a construction career. We’ll also look at the earning potential of these occupations, bearing in mind that such things are affected by formal education and training, location, age and a variety of other factors.

 Careers in construction

When it comes to careers in construction, the roles are as varied as the projects undertaken. You could be a hands-on tradie using your skills as a carpenter, plumber, electrician or something else. Maybe you love numbers and a role as an estimator appeals. Perhaps you love design and see yourself as an architect. Or you might be a problem solver drawn to engineering. You might also be suited to leadership roles as a builder or project manager. The possibilities are expansive so those covered in this blog are a small selection.

The construction industry in Australia is a thriving one with varied opportunities across a range of trades and positions. If you’d like to pursue a career in the building and construction industry, please contact us.

Carpenter

Carpenters specialise in working with wood. They are skilled at shaping, cutting and assembling various materials to construct things like house frames and furniture. Carpenters use a variety of tools such as hammers, saws, drills and planes to create precision in their work. Their tasks may include measuring and cutting materials, installing structures, and ensuring the integrity and functionality of a finished product.  Carpenters play a crucial role in the construction industry, contributing to both practical and aesthetic elements in builds.

Skills/Duties

  • Able to work with your hands and enjoy practical work
  • Good at mathematics
  • Ability to work at heights if required
  • Good health (including physical strength and endurance) and eyesight
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Good decision making and problem solving skills
  • Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools
  • Able to read construction plans
  • Ability to measure and cut precisely
  • Attention to detail

Qualifications

TIV currently offers two carpentry courses:

Certificate III in Carpentry Apprenticeship (4 year course)

Certificate III in Carpentry (12 month course) 

Salary

The type of carpentry specialised in and the years of experience you have will influence your salary, but an apprentice carpenter can earn on average $54,451 per year. A fully qualified carpenter earns on average $75,000 per year. 

Site Supervisor

A site supervisor plays an important role in the construction industry, overseeing and coordinating on-site activities to ensure the successful completion of projects. They are responsible for maintaining a seamless workflow and fostering a safe, efficient, and productive work environment.

Skills/Duties

  • Strong leadership skills
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
  • Organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Good decision making and problem solving skills
  • Ability to read construction plans
  • Ability to foresee and attend to problems
  • Knowledge of construction processes
  • Safety management skills

Qualifications

TIV offers the following course:

Certificate IV in Building and Construction | Site Management Stream

 Salary

Site supervisors earn an average of $120,000 a year and job growth is predicted to be 10.2% over the next 5 years. Of course, salary will be influenced by factors like a person’s experience, as well as location and complexity of the work.

Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for overseeing the entire life cycle of a construction project, from its initiation to completion. The role is more broad and strategic than a site supervisor’s and involves planning, coordination and overall project management.

Skills/Duties

  • Strong leadership skills
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
  • Skilled at coordinating timetables and managing different trades
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Good decision making and problem solving skills
  • Able to read construction plans
  • Ability to foresee and attend to problems
  • Awareness of what materials need to be ordered and when
  • Ability to prepare and submit project tenders
  • Knowledge of regulations and laws relating to project
  • Great negotiation skills

Qualifications

TIV offers the following course:

Certificate IV in Building and Construction | Site Management Stream (Note – This is former name of course. It may need to be changed and once new sales page is up, linked.) 

Salary

Project management roles in construction involve a lot of responsibility, especially with large scale construction. Project managers have an average base salary of $155,000 and job growth is expected to grow by 10.2% over the next 5 years. Salary will be influenced by factors like a person’s experience, as well as location and complexity of the work.

Estimator

An estimator is responsible for evaluating and estimating the costs associated with a construction project. Their role is critical in the pre-construction phase where they analyze project plans and specifications to provide accurate cost assessments.

Skills/Duties

  • Attention to detail
  • Mathematical skills
  • Ability to use tech (estimation software)
  • Knowledge of construction materials
  • Good decision making and problem solving skills
  • Able to read construction plans

Qualifications

TIV offers the following short courses:

Certificate IV in Building Project Support (Estimating Stream) (7 month course)

Computer Software Estimating  (3 week course)

Salary

An average estimator’s salary is around of $100,000 and job growth is predicted to grow by 11.9% over the next 5 years.

Residential Builder

Builders oversee, coordinate and work on the construction, repair and renovation of homes and other buildings. They must comply with strict safety regulations.

Skills/Duties

  • Strong leadership skills
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
  • Skilled at coordinating timetables and managing different trades
  • Good decision making and problem solving skills
  • Able to read construction plans
  • Ability to foresee and attend to problems
  • Awareness of what materials need to be ordered and when
  • Ability to accurately quote project costs for client
  • Knowledge of regulations and laws relating to project

Qualifications

Builders are required to be registered and have a special licence to undertake construction work. More information about this can be found at the Victorian Building Authority website. TIV’s courses are designed to compliment and lay the groundwork for registration as a builder:

Certificate IV in Building and Construction | Building Stream (7 month course)

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (11 month course)

Builders Registration Course (12 weeks)

Salary

Builders have average salaries of $85,000 and job growth is predicted to be 1.6% over the next 5 years. However, salary is very much influenced by factors like a person’s experience, as well as location and complexity of the work.

The construction industry in Australia is a thriving one with varied opportunities across a range of trades and positions.

If you’d like to pursue a career in the building and construction industry, please contact us.

[1] https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/construction-project-manager

[2] https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/estimator/salary

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