Housing is a basic need for all human beings. This is why the construction industry has done well in the face of COVID-19. Several jobs in the construction industry have a high demand at the moment.

The most in-demand construction jobs in Australia are general labourers, bricklayers, plumbers, plasterers, electricians, stonemasons, construction managers and construction estimators. The salary for these occupations differ, but the job security is high.

Let’s look at some more information on the different construction jobs in demand.

Construction Jobs with the highest demand in Australia

General labourers are one of the highest in-demand construction roles, especially with the government funding for construction throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The construction industry hasn’t had to halt much as a result of the pandemic. Instead, government grants were awarded for more housing and buildings to be constructed. With these grants, the demand for general labourers increases a lot, keeping them as the most sought-after construction worker. This is because the industry needs the numbers to fill the teams for a range of projects. Then they don’t need to try and assign current workers to three projects at once.

Alongside general labourers, the demand for bricklayers, plasterers, plumbers and electricians has raised. A lot of the recent construction has been focused on housing, which is why teams of these occupations are in such high demand. Below we have compiled a table of the most in-demand construction jobs with a bracketed range for the annual salary.

List of construction jobs in high demand

Let’s take a bit of a closer look at what construction jobs are in demand.

General Labourers

The role of a general labourer will vary depending on what worksite they are on. A general labourer has a lot of flexibility in their skills. At times they may act as an assistant to a skilled labourer such as a carpenter. Other times it is their job to set up scaffolding, direct traffic or use basic power tools. General construction labourers often don’t require advanced degrees, but good experience gives them more opportunities in the construction field.

The average annual salary of a general labourer – $56,000-$60,000

Bricklayer

Bricklayers are responsible for laying bricks, stones, concrete blocks, or similar materials to build walls, walkways, patios, and chimneys. Their duties also include cutting and trimming bricks and restoring and cleaning pre-made brick structures. As brick and stone are two of the most common building materials, it is no surprise that bricklayer work is in demand.

The average annual salary of a bricklayer – $67,500

Plumbers

Plumbing is an essential part of any construction project. So, plumbers are indispensable for construction. They install and repair pipes that supply water and remove wastewater from buildings. They also install plumbing fixtures like toilets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, and various appliances. Typically, plumbers complete at least a 4-year apprenticeship as their main training.

The average annual salary of a plumber – $73,125

Foreperson

The foreperson (this was earlier known as the foreman) is the person that makes sure everything goes smoothly at the construction site. Their main duties involve creating schedules for labourers, coordinating tasks, managing the budget, and overseeing the quality of work. Forepersons also report the progress of the construction to their supervisors. Generally, they are experienced workers who get promoted into this role. If you want to become a foreperson, you have to start as an entry-level worker and work your way up in the industry.

The average annual salary of a foreperson – $81,969

Electricians

Electricians are another essential category of workers in construction. They install, repair, and maintain wiring, electric control, lighting, and communications systems. To work as an electrician, you should have a high school diploma and good knowledge of electrical systems. You can also become an electrician by joining a training program or an apprenticeship.

The average annual salary of an electrician – $82,000

Plasterers

Plasterers are tradies who apply plaster and decorative finishes to interior walls, ceilings, and exterior walls. Plasterers need a good deal of dexterity and speed. Some of them are skilled in specialized work such as dry lining plasterboard and plastering on timber. This job also needs an apprenticeship or trade school qualification.

The average annual salary of a plasterer – $68,250

Construction Estimators

Construction estimator is another construction job that is most in-demand in Australia. Construction estimators work with construction firms to accurately calculate the cost of a project. The total cost of a construction project includes costs for labour, materials, and equipment. To be a construction estimator, you need good mathematical skills, great attention to detail, and knowledge of financial software. Some construction companies put a university degree as a requirement for estimators. But you can also become a construction estimator with a trade school certificate or an estimator apprenticeship.

The average annual salary of a construction estimator – $110,000

Stonemason

Stonemasons are skilled craftsmen who cut, shape, assemble, and repair stone structures for construction projects. They may create stonework for homes, monuments, statues, historical buildings, etc. They are a specialised labourer but can work closely with general labourers and bricklayers.

The average annual salary of a stonemason – $60,000

Crane Operators

Cranes are one of the largest pieces of equipment on construction sites and can be a risky job. This is why it is important for crane operators to have completed certifications proving they are able to safely operate a crane. They are responsible for moving lots of heavy building materials in a precise and careful manner. The work hours can sometimes be irregular. But there is a shortage of crane operators in Australia at the moment, which is why they are in high demand.

The average annual salary of a crane operator – $72,638

Elevator Technicians

With the increase in high-rise buildings, elevator technicians (also known as elevator or escalator workers) are currently in high demand in Australia. Their job role involves installing and maintaining elevators, escalators, and other similar transport systems. To become an elevator technician, you need good mechanical skills and knowledge in electricity and math.

The average annual salary of an elevator technician – $67,000

Construction Managers

The main duty of a construction manager is overseeing and leading construction projects from start to end. They are also responsible for overseeing financing, keeping schedules, and keeping the work site free of hazards. In short, construction managers make sure that everybody is doing what they should every day and everything is going smoothly with the construction.

The average annual salary of a construction manager – $125,080

What is the current state of the construction industry?

In recent years, most industries have suffered greatly due to the coronavirus pandemic, but construction has rarely ceased. More and more construction projects have been started across this time, increasing the demand for workers. The Australian government has also taken initiative to introduce more construction grants to help keep building up our cities.

The Australian government created the HomeBuilder grant to support citizens with residential constructions. This grant helps people to proceed with construction projects or purchases that have been delayed due to COVID-19. HomeBuilder also extends to renovation projects, further supporting the construction industry.

The Australian government has also invested billions of dollars into new infrastructure projects that will be completed over the next few years. These projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the construction field. So, there won’t be any shortage of jobs in the construction field. We can predict that the construction industry will have a good future in Australia.

Currently, the biggest problem that construction is facing is the lack of building materials. We have experienced a timber shortage which has delayed a lot of house construction. But members of the construction industry are constantly problem-solving and finding ways to continue to keep construction going.

With the demand for construction workers at such a high rate, now is a great time to break into the field. Looking for work as a labourer? Check out our job board at Rednax Recruitment.