Builder's Labourers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Builder's Labourers perform routine tasks in erecting and repairing structures and facilities on building and construction sites and in factories producing prefabricated building components.
Also known as: Construction Worker.
Specialisations: Bricklayer's Assistant, Carpenter's Assistant, Tiler's Assistant.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Builder's Labourer. Although some workers have a certificate III in related areas like building, carpentry and joinery.
Tasks
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Loads and unloads building and construction materials, tools and equipment and transports them around building sites.
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Erects and dismantles temporary structures such as barricades and scaffolding.
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Mixes, pours and spreads materials such as concrete, plaster and mortar.
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Spreads and levels soil, gravel and sand on roads and driveways, trench bottoms and similar locations.
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Assists with assembling and installing piping, valves and fittings.
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Assists with installing fixtures such as toilets, wash basins and sprinkler systems.
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Digs holes and shovels excavated material onto conveyors, wheelbarrows and trucks for removal.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Medium
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Heavy
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Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Building and Plumbing Labourers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 76% of people employed as Builder's Labourers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 10 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Builder's Labourers work in the Construction industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Builder's Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 35.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.6 | 1.9 |
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Around 41% of Builder's Labourers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
New South Wales has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Builder's Labourers is 34 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 3% of the workforce. This is 45 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Builder's Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 7.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 16.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 28.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 19.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 17.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 34 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Builder's Labourer. Although some workers have a certificate III in related areas like building, carpentry and joinery.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Builder's Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 29.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 25.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 26.3 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Building and Plumbing Labourers who are reliable, have a strong work ethic and are physically fit.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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37%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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34%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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32%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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30%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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29%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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27%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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25%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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60%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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57%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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57%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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54%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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54%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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49%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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48%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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47%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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44%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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42%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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42%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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42%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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41%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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39%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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36%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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35%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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34%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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33%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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32%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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29%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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59%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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54%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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52%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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48%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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48%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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46%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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41%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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39%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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37%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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84%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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76%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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64%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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59%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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58%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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57%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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56%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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54%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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54%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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51%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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50%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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48%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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47%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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46%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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44%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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43%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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42%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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41%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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40%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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32%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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45%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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38%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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24%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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92%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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92%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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90%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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90%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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90%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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89%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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83%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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82%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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79%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
79%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
78%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
77%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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76%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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76%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
75%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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75%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
75%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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74%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
73%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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72%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2061.00 - Construction Laborers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.