Building Inspectors
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Building Inspectors inspect buildings to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and advise on building requirements.
Specialisations: Electrical Installation Inspector.
A formal qualification in building surveying is usually needed to work as a Building Inspector. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
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Reviews and provides advice on plans to ensure they meet building codes, local ordinances, zoning regulations and contract specifications.
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Approves building plans that are satisfactory and issues building permits.
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Monitors construction sites periodically to ensure overall compliance.
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Inspects plumbing, electrical and other systems to verify alignment level, structure elevation and ensure that they meet the necessary code/specifications.
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Uses survey instruments, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections.
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Provides written documentation of findings from inspections.
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Issues violation notices and stop-work orders until building work is compliant.
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Certifies structure and plan compliance with the corresponding building regulations.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Light
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, Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 85% of people employed as Building Inspectors work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 19 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
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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Building Inspectors work in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration and safety
- Construction
- Electricity, gas, water and waste services.
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 | Building Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.1 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 41% of Building Inspectors live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
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 Building Inspectors is 47 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 10% of the workforce. This is 38 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 | Building Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 12.6 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 10.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 7.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 47 | 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
A formal qualification in building surveying is usually needed to work as a Building Inspector. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- 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 | Building Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 10.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 22.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 30.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 26.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 5.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 2.8 | 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 Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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54%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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52%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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50%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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48%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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48%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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48%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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48%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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46%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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46%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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45%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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41%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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79%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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73%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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64%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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63%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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59%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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57%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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54%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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53%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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52%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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48%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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48%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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47%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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45%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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45%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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39%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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39%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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31%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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30%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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28%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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26%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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59%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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57%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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57%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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52%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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48%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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45%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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43%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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41%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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73%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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65%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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65%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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61%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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61%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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61%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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60%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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60%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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58%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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58%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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57%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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56%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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56%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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55%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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52%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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51%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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50%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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46%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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44%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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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86%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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67%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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38%
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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19%
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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81%
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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71%
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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64%
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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62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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62%
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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52%
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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98%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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97%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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94%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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92%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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88%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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88%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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85%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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84%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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84%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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82%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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81%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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80%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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79%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
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79%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
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78%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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78%
Work at heightsWork in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).
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73%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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73%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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, 47-4011.00 - Construction and Building Inspectors.
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.