Home Trades & Construction
Trades & Construction careers
Roles in Trades & Construction: what they pay, where they're heading and how to get in.
Air Conditioning Technician
Air conditioning technicians install, service and repair the systems that keep homes, offices and warehouses at the right temperature.
Arborist
Arborists assess, prune and remove trees, keeping them healthy and safe around the people, buildings and powerlines below them.
Asbestos Removalist
Asbestos removalists take asbestos containing materials out of buildings and sites under sealed containment, so the fibres that cause serious disease don't reach workers or the public.
Backhoe Operator
Backhoe operators run a tractor-mounted machine with a rear digging arm and a front loader bucket, digging trenches, footings and service lines for building, roads and utilities.
Bricklayer
Bricklayers lay bricks, blocks and stone to build and repair walls, arches and other masonry structures on construction sites.
Builder
Builders plan, coordinate and supervise construction work, turning designs into buildings that are safe, compliant and finished on budget.
Builder's Labourer
Builder's labourers do the physical work that keeps a construction site moving, from preparing ground and mixing concrete to moving materials and clearing up after the trades.
Bulldozer Operator
Bulldozer operators drive tracked machines that cut, push and level ground, preparing sites for construction, mining and roads.
Cabinet Maker
Cabinet makers build the kitchens, wardrobes and fitted furniture that go into homes and shops, working from drawings to cut, join and finish each piece.
Carpenter
Carpenters build the frame that holds a building up, then fit the doors, floors, stairs and other timberwork inside it.
Civil Construction Labourer
Civil construction labourers do the hands-on work on roads, drainage and other infrastructure, from digging trenches to pouring kerbs and footpaths.
Commercial Diver
Commercial divers carry out construction, inspection and repair work underwater, keeping ports, pipelines and offshore structures in service.
Concrete Batching Plant Operator
Concrete batching plant operators weigh and mix cement, sand, aggregate and water to the design a job calls for, then load the trucks that take it to site.
Concrete Pump Operator
Concrete pump operators run the boom or line pump that moves concrete from the truck to exactly where it is needed on site.
Concreter
Concreters prepare, pour and finish concrete for jobs ranging from house slabs and driveways to roads, bridges and commercial floors.
Construction Estimator
Construction estimators work out what a building project will cost before it is built, so a builder can price a tender and a client can plan a budget.
Construction Manager
Construction managers run a building project from planning through to handover, and answer for its budget, schedule and safety.
Data Cabler
Data cablers install, terminate and test the structured cabling that carries data, voice and video through buildings and across networks.
Demolition Worker
Demolition workers take buildings and structures apart, clearing sites for new work and recovering steel, concrete and timber along the way.
Dogger
A dogger directs crane operators through a lift, attaching and balancing the load and using hand, whistle or radio signals to bring it down safely.
Drainer
Drainers install and maintain the below-ground pipes that carry sewage, stormwater and wastewater away from buildings and public spaces.
Earthmoving Plant Operator
Earthmoving plant operators drive excavators, dozers and loaders to move soil and rock on civil, building and mining sites, preparing the ground for roads, structures and resource projects.
Electrical Fitter
Electrical fitters install, test and maintain the electrical machinery and control systems that keep factories, utilities and mine sites running.
Electrical Trades Assistant
Electrical trades assistants help licensed electricians on site, preparing materials, handling tools and keeping the work area safe so installations are finished on time.
Electrician
Electricians install, maintain and repair the wiring, switchboards and equipment that power homes, businesses and worksites.
Electronics Technician
Electronics technicians install, test and repair the electronic systems behind communications, control and medical equipment.
Energy Assessor
Energy assessors work out how much energy a building will use for heating and cooling, then rate it against the National Construction Code.
Fencer
Fencers build and repair the fences and gates that mark boundaries, contain livestock and secure homes, farms and commercial sites.
Fire Protection Plumber
Fire protection plumbers install and maintain the sprinkler and hydrant systems a building relies on when a fire breaks out.
Fire Protection Technician
Fire protection technicians install, test and maintain the systems that detect fires and hold them back, from alarm panels to sprinkler pipework.
Flooring Installer
Flooring installers lay the carpet, timber, laminate and vinyl that finishes a room, working from a subfloor they have usually prepared themselves.
Garage Door Technician
Garage door technicians install, service and repair garage doors and the automatic openers that run them.
Gasfitter
Gasfitters install and service the gas appliances, meters and pipework that homes and businesses rely on for heating, cooking and hot water.
Glazier
Glaziers measure, cut and fit glass into windows, doors, shopfronts and other openings in buildings.
Grader Operator
Grader operators drive a motor grader to shape and level ground so roads, pads and drainage meet the levels the plans call for.
Handyman
A handyman carries out the repairs and general maintenance that keep homes and small commercial properties in working order.
Home Improvement Installer
Home improvement installers measure, cut and fit the finishing pieces of a home, from blinds and awnings to shelving and cabinetry.
Instrumentation Technician
Instrumentation technicians install, calibrate and repair the instruments that measure and control industrial processes.
Insulation Installer
Insulation installers fit batts, rolls and loose-fill product into ceilings, walls and underfloors so buildings hold their heat and use less energy.
Irrigation Technician
Irrigation technicians install and service the systems that deliver water to crops, gardens and sports fields, keeping plants supplied without wasting water.
Joiner
Joiners make and fit the timber pieces a building needs, from doors and windows to staircases, cabinets and shop fronts.
Lagger
Laggers insulate pipework, ducts, tanks and vessels in industrial and commercial buildings, then clad and seal the result so heat stays in and surfaces stay safe to touch.
Landscaper
Landscapers build and plant outdoor spaces, from garden beds and paving to retaining walls and irrigation, working to a design or a client's brief.
Lift Mechanic
Lift mechanics install, service and repair the lifts and escalators people ride every day, and keep them safe to use.
Linemarker
Linemarkers paint the lines, arrows and symbols that direct traffic on roads, car parks and airfields.
Loader Operator
Loader operators drive wheel loaders and front end loaders to move bulk materials, keeping quarries, mines and civil sites supplied and productive.
Locksmith
Locksmiths fit, repair and open locks and security hardware in homes, businesses and vehicles, keeping property secure and getting people back in when a key is lost or a lock fails.
Mechanical Services Plumber
Mechanical services plumbers install and maintain the heating, cooling and ventilation systems that large buildings rely on.
Office Equipment Technician
Office equipment technicians keep the printers, copiers and multifunction devices in a workplace running, installing new machines and repairing them when they fail.
Painter
Painters prepare and coat the surfaces of buildings and other structures, protecting them from the weather and changing how they look.
Paving Plant Operator
Paving plant operators drive the machines that lay asphalt and concrete on roads, footpaths and car parks, and the surface they leave behind has to be level, durable and safe.
Pest Controller
Pest controllers inspect homes, businesses and food premises for insects, rodents and other pests, treat the problem and show clients how to keep it from coming back.
Pipelayer
Pipelayers lay the underground pipes that carry water, sewage and stormwater, working in trenches on new subdivisions, road projects and utility upgrades.
Plasterer
Plasterers line and finish the inside walls and ceilings of a building, giving painters and other trades a smooth surface to work over.
Plumber
Plumbers install and maintain the water, gas and drainage systems a building relies on, from first fix on a new home to a burst main at midnight.
Plumber's Assistant
Plumber's assistants work alongside qualified plumbers, preparing sites, handling tools and materials, and doing the basic pipe work that keeps a job moving.
Plumbing Inspector
Plumbing inspectors check plumbing, drainage and gas work against the Plumbing Code of Australia and confirm it is safe and compliant before a certificate is issued.
Pool Builder
A pool builder takes a backyard from excavation to a finished, fenced swimming pool that is ready to fill.
Pool Technician
Pool technicians look after swimming pools and spas, keeping the water balanced and the pumps, filters and heaters working.
Pressure Welder
Pressure welders join and repair the pipework, vessels and boilers built to hold steam, gas or chemicals under pressure, and their welds have to pass testing before the plant can run.
Radiocommunications Technician
Radiocommunications technicians install and maintain the two-way radio and wireless systems that emergency services, transport operators and industry depend on.
Railway Signal Electrician
Railway signal electricians install and maintain the electrical systems that control train movements, keeping passenger and freight services safe and on time.
Railway Track Worker
Railway track workers build and maintain the rails, sleepers and ballast that trains run on.
Restoration Technician
Restoration technicians make homes and businesses safe and habitable again after water, fire, smoke or mould damage.
Rigger
Riggers set up and secure the lifting gear that lets cranes and hoists move heavy loads safely on construction, mining and industrial sites.
Roller Operator
Roller operators drive and control heavy rollers that compact earth, gravel and asphalt, giving roads, subdivisions and building sites a stable, level base.
Roof Plumber
Roof plumbers cut, fit and seal the metal roofing, gutters, downpipes and flashings that keep water out of a building.
Roofer
Roofers install, repair and replace the roofing materials that keep water and weather out of a building.
Scaffolder
Scaffolders build the temporary platforms, towers and walkways that let other trades work safely at height.
Security Technician
Security technicians install, service and repair the alarm, CCTV and access control systems that protect homes, shops and workplaces.
Shed Builder
Shed builders put up the steel and timber sheds, garages and carports a property uses for storage, machinery and covered work space.
Shopfitter
Shopfitters build and install the interior fitouts that turn an empty retail or hospitality space into a working shop.
Sign Installer
Sign installers mount and secure signs on buildings, shopfronts and vehicles, working at height so each sign ends up level, safe and readable from the street.
Site Supervisor
Site supervisors run the day-to-day on a construction site, keeping trades, deliveries and safety checks in the right order so the job stays on programme.
Solid Plasterer
Solid plasterers apply and finish render, plaster and cement coatings to walls, ceilings and other building surfaces, giving a structure its weather protection and its final look.
Steel Erector
Steel erectors assemble the structural steel frames that hold up buildings, bridges and industrial sheds.
Steel Fixer
Steel fixers cut, bend and tie the steel reinforcement that gives concrete slabs, columns and bridges their strength.
Stonemason
Stonemasons cut, shape and set natural stone for walls, floors, facades and monuments, working the material by hand and with power tools.
Telecommunications Cable Jointer
Telecommunications cable jointers splice, seal and test the copper and fibre cables that carry phone, internet and data services.
Telecommunications Linesworker
Telecommunications linesworkers install, splice and maintain the cables, poles and conduits that carry phone, internet and data services to homes and businesses.
Telecommunications Technician
Telecommunications technicians install, test and repair the networks that carry phone, internet and mobile signals, from customer premises out to towers and exchanges.
Test and Tag Technician
Test and tag technicians test portable electrical appliances such as power tools, leads and kitchen equipment, label the ones that pass and take the faulty ones out of use.
Tiler
Tilers measure, cut and fix tiles to floors, walls and other surfaces, and much of the skill sits in the preparation that keeps the finish level and watertight.
Traffic Controller
Traffic controllers direct vehicles and pedestrians past roadworks, crashes and events so that road users and work crews get through safely.
Tunneller
Tunnellers excavate and support the underground passages that carry roads, rail, water and services beneath cities and hills.
Underground Services Locator
Underground services locators find and mark buried pipes and cables before work starts, so excavation does not cut through them.
Waterproofer
Waterproofers install the membranes and sealants that keep water out of wet areas, roofs, balconies and below-ground structures.
Welder
Welders fuse metal parts with heat, electricity or pressure, following drawings to build and repair structures, pipework and machinery.