Construction work?! What is that? Construction work is work on building sites. This can be very varied and you can earn good money with or without previous experience and work your way up the ranks. The construction industry in Australia is definitely going to be booming for at least the next 30 years. That means motivated workers are always needed. In today's Q&A we want to discuss the most important things you should know before you start. So let's get started!
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1. Requirements for construction jobs in Australia: How to meet the 88-day rule
Find out what qualifications and certifications you need to work in the Australian construction industry and meet the requirements for the second Working Holiday Visa.
The only qualification you need to work on a construction site in Australia is the so-called "White Card". The White Card is a certificate that you receive when you complete a course on construction site safety. This course cost me $140 and only took 5 hours. After that, the White Card is valid for life.
As soon as you have the White Card, you can start applying for jobs. What's even better is that in some regions, construction work counts as work for the 88 days. To do this, you simply need to check on the government website ( https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/specified-work ) whether the postcode under which your company is registered is on the list for "rural Australia". If so, then collect your payslips and upload them when you apply online for the 2nd Working Holiday Visa.
2. The opportunities and challenges of construction work in Australia
The greatest opportunity for me of working on a construction site is that I am learning a complete trade. For those who don't know, I have been working as a roofer on the Sunshine Coast for almost a year. Back then, I started as a helper with no previous experience for $27.50 an hour and am now a full member of the team, mostly on the roof for $35 an hour. Apart from that, I am with Australians all day, speak only English and am learning all the technical jargon.
The biggest challenge is probably the weather. It gets damn hot on the roof in summer. You sweat non-stop and get baked by the sun. For some people, the language may be a big challenge at first. But here I would say, have faith and you will notice that you will learn more from week to week and master the challenge.
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3. Safety standards on Australian construction sites: What you need to know as a backpacker
An overview of the health and safety regulations and precautions that apply on construction sites in Australia.
As already mentioned in the first question, you will be informed and trained about the most important safety standards in the White Card course. Among other things, you will be told what you need to look out for on every construction site, what dangers there are and what meanings the safety and warning signs have.
Apart from that, your supervisor will inform you about all other safety standards to ensure you are safe and avoid accidents.
4. How to find construction jobs in Australia: Tips for Work and Travellers
Practical advice and resources to successfully find a job in construction and complete your 88 days.
Nowadays, most construction jobs are applied for online. The most popular websites for this are Seek ( https://www.seek.com.au/ ) and Indeed ( https://au.indeed.com/?from=gnav-jobsearch--indeedmobile ). Here you can easily create an account, enter your details and your CV and apply for lots of jobs with just one click.
In addition to this modern method, you can also do the old-school way I did back then and drive from construction site to construction site and ask for work face to face. Tip: just have a CV with your details on it that you can leave there. That always goes down well.
5. Wages and working conditions: What you can expect from construction jobs in Australia
Information on typical salaries, working hours and conditions for construction workers under the Working Holiday Scheme.
The typical backpacker job is the so-called labor worker. This means something like assistant worker. On average, you can earn around $30 an hour here and then work your way up. You usually start as a casual assistant worker. This means you write down your hours and are paid weekly or bi-weekly. As a casual worker, you are not entitled to holiday pay or sick pay. You are paid for what you work. Some companies pay you a higher hourly wage on weekends or holidays.
Especially because of the weather, but also because the sun rises very early here, most companies start at 7 a.m. at the latest and work until at least 3 p.m. This means you still have plenty of free time left.
6. The best regions for construction work in Australia: where is it worth going?
An overview of the regions with high demand for construction workers and attractive opportunities for work and travelers.
Logically, you have the best chance of finding a job in the big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. There are a lot of construction companies and the cities are growing. But life in a big city may not be right for everyone. I, for example, prefer small-town life and am very happy here on the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast is a good middle ground between a big city and a village and I can only recommend it to everyone.
7. From construction worker to skilled worker: Further training opportunities for backpackers in Australia
Learn how training and courses can help you expand your skills and get better job opportunities in the construction industry.
The easiest way to continue your training is probably the first aid course. Even if you have already done this several times in your home country, it is very helpful if you can also show proof of the Australian certificate. Another course that makes you more attractive is the so-called EWP training. EWP stands for "Elevating Work Platforms". Here you will learn everything about the safe handling of all types of forklift trucks, which are very often used on construction sites. Perhaps even more important is the "Working on Heights" course. In this course you will learn how to properly secure yourself when working on or on higher buildings.
All of these certificates are a huge advantage for your potential employer, because it shows that you are interested and have already taken the initiative to further your education. But don't worry, these courses are not a must.
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8. Checklist for your first day on the construction site: Start well prepared
Everything you need to know and bring with you to successfully start your first day of work in the Australian construction industry.
Before your first day at work, you should clarify with your company what kind of work clothes you will be wearing. Hi-Vis (high visibility) shirts and work shoes with steel toes are usually common practice.
Unless you need a hard hat, be sure to get a hat or cap to protect your face from the sun. Sunscreen is also a must.
And be sure to bring a large water bottle and electrolytes if necessary, as you will definitely be sweating a lot.
9. My experience report: From office worker to roofer
Three years of studying business administration with an office job were enough for me. I knew I had to find a job where I would move around more and ideally be outside. That's why I really wanted to try out the construction site.
When I arrived on the Sunshine Coast, I first completed the White Card course and at the same time applied online for every job that had to do with construction work. At the same time, I also tried my luck in Bunnings car parks and chatted up every tradie and asked for work, as well as stopping at every construction site and shouting up to the workers on the scaffolding to see if they had any work for me. Nothing happened for 2 weeks until I got a call from Brownlow Built and a nice lady asked me if I was interested in a trial day. Yes, and the rest is history... Since then, I have been working as a roofer at Brownlow Built and have not regretted my decision for a single day. I started almost a year ago at $27.50 an hour and have now received my third pay rise and am currently at $35. I enjoy the work, I learn a lot and am part of a great team. In roofing, it is normal to start as a ground worker and work your way up over time - literally. What's also cool is that the company employs carpenters as well as roofers, so I get to learn a completely different trade.
The work always starts at 7 a.m. and always ends at different times, depending on the size of the job and, above all, the weather. Most trades, especially roofers, cannot work when it rains.
Finally, I'll tell you one thing: hard work and, above all, reliability is highly valued in the craft industry and will open more doors for you. Good luck and have fun!
