Construction Jobs for Backpackers

Construction Jobs in Australia

Australia is an amazing country full of wonderful people, things to see and a land of opportunity for those wishing to find work. If you find yourself on a working holiday visa and are wondering what type of jobs you could obtain, then this is the blog post for you.

If you are in possession of a qualified skill back home, then that leads you to even more job opportunities in Australia. One area which proves popular with working holidaymakers is the construction industry. Not only is there plenty of jobs within the industry to go around, but the pay is also reasonable. Let's consider some of the best construction jobs on offer in Australia for working holidaymakers today!

Construction Jobs all over Australia

Australia’s construction industry - which includes joiners, carpenters, electricians, builders, plumbers, painters and decorators, bricklayers, and concrete layers - employs over 850,000 people – and more are needed.

There is a shortage of skilled tradesmen and women which means it's a great industry to access jobs for working holidaymakers. The short-term, casual and flexible nature of the work is often perfect for the period of time most working holidaymakers are searching for work.

Work is available everywhere in the country including both the regional and metropolitan areas. Almost 40% of jobs in construction are outside of the large capital cities, with most of the work being in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Construction Work for 2nd Year Visa

Similar to harvest work and fruit picking, construction work allows working holidaymakers to obtain a 12-month visa extension after working three months or more in approved regional parts of Australia. The great news is that construction work in regional areas of Australia also makes you eligible for a second year visa extension too! Providing you have met certain requirements and who doesn't want to stay in Australia for longer?!

It is important to note that "regional Australia" is defined by certain postcodes. So, before you jump into any new construction work, you should double check the postcode against the list to ensure you are working in the correct area to qualify for visa extensions in the future.

Also, note that in order to legally work on a construction site in the country, it's a legal requirement that you possess a "White Card" which is an OH&S General Induction Certificate. Have a read of our guide to White Card Australia online courses and classroom certification.

What you can expect to earn

Let's consider some of the current construction jobs on offer in Australia (and their average wages):

• Working on a demolition site: $1,300 a week
• Labourer: $25 p/h before tax in Sydney
• Painter: $33 p/h
• Skilled labourer: $25-$30 p/h
• Builder: $35 p/h
• Traffic controller: $2,000 per week for 72h
• Roof cleaner: $45 p/h

These wages are rough estimates and your wage will vary depending on your age, experience, qualifications and of course the area in which you are placed.