Construction
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Construction is a large employing industry. Around 9.6% of workers have their main job in this industry.
Businesses in this industry are mainly involved in activities like:
- demolition, clearing and site preparation
- residential and non-residential building
- heavy and civil engineering construction
- other construction services.
Many workers complete Vocational and Education Training through an apprenticeships or traineeship. Although a third of workers are employed in lower skilled jobs that do not need post school qualifications.
Most people with their main job in this industry work full-time.
Average earnings are $1,380 per week, higher the all industries average of $1,250.
Employment
Employment in the Construction industry grew over the 20 years to February 2023.
The number of workers:
- grew by 27,600 (or 2.1%) over the last quarter
- grew by 146,200 (or 12.4%) over the last year.
Quarterly employment update, Construction
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Outlook
Employment in Construction is projected to grow by 66,400 (or 5.8%) over the five years to November 2026.
Employment levels, past and projected, Construction
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, November 2021, seasonally adjusted and Jobs and Skills Australia, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026.
Sectors
Building Installation Services is the largest sector in the Construction industry, employing 24.6% of workers.
Employment by sector, Construction
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, F, seasonally adjusted.
Occupations
Largest employing occupations
Carpenters and Joiners is the largest employing occupation in the Contruction industry.
The 10 largest employing occupations are shown below. The table shows:
- the number employed in all industries
- the number employed in this industry
- the proportion employed in this industry.
Some occupations are common across a number of industries.
Largest employing occupations, Construction industry
ANZSCO Code | Occupation title |
Employment |
Employment (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
3312 | Carpenters and Joiners | 138,000 | 122,200 | 89% |
3411 | Electricians | 159,100 | 108,200 | 68% |
1331 | Construction Managers | 116,500 | 92,900 | 80% |
3341 | Plumbers | 86,300 | 78,500 | 91% |
8211 | Building and Plumbing Labourers | 59,200 | 46,500 | 79% |
3121 | Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians | 74,100 | 41,600 | 56% |
3322 | Painting Trades Workers | 41,400 | 38,600 | 93% |
7212 | Earthmoving Plant Operators | 50,100 | 34,500 | 69% |
8212 | Concreters | 33,400 | 29,800 | 89% |
3622 | Gardeners | 80,200 | 29,000 | 36% |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, four quarter average, 2021.
Related occupations
The Construction industry employs workers in a range of occupations.
The table below shows related occupations by ANZSCO Skill Level (Skill Level 1 is the highest skill level). This includes occupations that:
- contribute a large share of industry employment (account for at least 3% of industry employment)
- have a large share of workers in this industry (at least 5% of workers in an occupation).
These thresholds were used as a guide only and a number refinements were made to the list of occupations included.
The table shows the total number of people employed in each occupation as well as the number and proportion employed in this industry at the time of the 2016 ABS Census.
- In most cases, 6-digit ANZSCO occupations are shown. This is the most detailed level of ANZSCO.
- 4-digit occupations are shown where the ANZSCO classification system only has one valid 6-digit occupation.
- The 4-digit employment figures will differ from the figures shown in the Largest employment occupations table above because the figures have come from different data sources.
Expand or collapse each Skill Level button to view related occupations.
Occupations related to Construction industry, by skill level
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
133112 | Project Builder | 44,191 | 40,352 | 91% |
133111 | Construction Project Manager | 41,288 | 27,839 | 67% |
233211 | Civil Engineer | 20,730 | 7,376 | 36% |
251312 | Occupational Health and Safety Adviser | 15,640 | 2,316 | 15% |
224511 | Land Economist | 6,958 | 1,734 | 25% |
1332 | Engineering Manager | 14,407 | 1,453 | 10% |
232212 | Surveyor | 8,363 | 1,215 | 15% |
2333 | Electrical Engineer | 13,087 | 1,139 | 9% |
233512 | Mechanical Engineer | 13,143 | 1,001 | 8% |
233213 | Quantity Surveyor | 2,705 | 992 | 37% |
232111 | Architect | 16,870 | 963 | 6% |
233214 | Structural Engineer | 6,053 | 655 | 11% |
232112 | Landscape Architect | 3,013 | 584 | 19% |
233215 | Transport Engineer | 3,804 | 417 | 11% |
2326 | Urban and Regional Planner | 11,067 | 308 | 3% |
233513 | Production or Plant Engineer | 3,077 | 222 | 7% |
233511 | Industrial Engineer | 3,640 | 197 | 5% |
139912 | Environmental Manager | 2,137 | 174 | 8% |
233212 | Geotechnical Engineer | 1,409 | 70 | 5% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
312112 | Building Associate | 30,177 | 24,214 | 80% |
5121 | Office Manager | 109,391 | 16,030 | 15% |
511112 | Program or Project Administrator | 85,106 | 5,444 | 6% |
511111 | Contract Administrator | 17,579 | 5,259 | 30% |
521211 | Secretary (General) | 32,035 | 4,820 | 15% |
312114 | Construction Estimator | 4,513 | 3,642 | 81% |
312111 | Architectural Draftsperson | 11,850 | 3,089 | 26% |
149999 | Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec | 19,078 | 1,866 | 10% |
149913 | Facilities Manager | 16,717 | 1,651 | 10% |
312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician | 5,929 | 1,387 | 23% |
2325 | Interior Designer | 8,758 | 1,111 | 13% |
312113 | Building Inspector | 5,190 | 1,045 | 20% |
312211 | Civil Engineering Draftsperson | 5,550 | 831 | 15% |
312212 | Civil Engineering Technician | 3,082 | 598 | 19% |
312199 | Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec | 1,318 | 456 | 35% |
149211 | Call or Contact Centre Manager | 2,965 | 417 | 14% |
399912 | Interior Decorator | 1,454 | 416 | 29% |
312911 | Maintenance Planner | 6,191 | 412 | 7% |
222113 | Insurance Broker | 9,118 | 335 | 4% |
149915 | Equipment Hire Manager | 2,780 | 334 | 12% |
3126 | Safety Inspector | 3,280 | 323 | 10% |
312511 | Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson | 2,501 | 293 | 12% |
312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | 1,878 | 287 | 15% |
312912 | Metallurgical or Materials Technician | 3,368 | 159 | 5% |
311412 | Earth Science Technician | 1,532 | 87 | 6% |
312116 | Surveying or Spatial Science Technician | 1,172 | 85 | 7% |
312115 | Plumbing Inspector | 327 | 48 | 15% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
331212 | Carpenter | 90,135 | 82,600 | 92% |
341111 | Electrician (General) | 106,814 | 68,298 | 64% |
334111 | Plumber (General) | 47,037 | 42,307 | 90% |
3322 | Painting Trades Worker | 40,265 | 37,430 | 93% |
333211 | Fibrous Plasterer | 20,247 | 19,762 | 98% |
331111 | Bricklayer | 18,541 | 18,074 | 97% |
3334 | Wall and Floor Tiler | 17,049 | 16,591 | 97% |
362213 | Landscape Gardener | 19,363 | 15,874 | 82% |
5512 | Bookkeeper | 75,112 | 11,561 | 15% |
334115 | Roof Plumber | 7,993 | 7,760 | 97% |
3421 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | 16,920 | 7,572 | 45% |
3321 | Floor Finisher | 7,541 | 6,668 | 88% |
322311 | Metal Fabricator | 35,916 | 6,603 | 18% |
3331 | Glazier | 7,984 | 5,837 | 73% |
3333 | Roof Tiler | 5,371 | 5,229 | 97% |
323211 | Fitter (General) | 58,558 | 5,148 | 9% |
334114 | Gasfitter | 6,587 | 5,079 | 77% |
333212 | Solid Plasterer | 4,823 | 4,701 | 97% |
334113 | Drainer | 4,183 | 3,802 | 91% |
322313 | Welder (First Class) | 16,192 | 3,658 | 23% |
3941 | Cabinetmaker | 20,146 | 3,590 | 18% |
342313 | Electronic Equipment Trades Worker | 15,552 | 2,971 | 19% |
334112 | Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber | 2,675 | 2,404 | 90% |
362211 | Gardener (General) | 28,313 | 1,785 | 6% |
341113 | Lift Mechanic | 2,912 | 1,712 | 59% |
331213 | Joiner | 3,237 | 1,560 | 48% |
342211 | Electrical Linesworker | 6,549 | 1,376 | 21% |
331112 | Stonemason | 4,207 | 1,141 | 27% |
342414 | Telecommunications Technician | 12,060 | 1,093 | 9% |
342411 | Cabler (Data and Telecommunications) | 1,981 | 1,035 | 52% |
399918 | Fire Protection Equipment Technician | 3,064 | 1,031 | 34% |
612115 | Real Estate Representative | 14,710 | 965 | 7% |
3222 | Sheetmetal Trades Worker | 4,476 | 807 | 18% |
323212 | Fitter and Turner | 8,642 | 500 | 6% |
3243 | Vehicle Painter | 8,894 | 498 | 6% |
342413 | Telecommunications Linesworker | 1,605 | 425 | 26% |
399999 | Technicians and Trades Workers nec | 3,780 | 384 | 10% |
3211 | Automotive Electrician | 6,611 | 281 | 4% |
342412 | Telecommunications Cable Jointer | 931 | 176 | 19% |
342212 | Technical Cable Jointer | 567 | 146 | 26% |
394213 | Wood Machinist | 1,006 | 142 | 14% |
323213 | Fitter-Welder | 803 | 97 | 12% |
399911 | Diver | 854 | 96 | 11% |
394211 | Furniture Finisher | 618 | 83 | 13% |
341112 | Electrician (Special Class) | 76 | 27 | 36% |
322312 | Pressure Welder | 95 | 25 | 26% |
394299 | Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers nec | 178 | 22 | 12% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
5311 | General Clerk | 208,596 | 14,463 | 7% |
733111 | Truck Driver (General) | 129,332 | 12,598 | 10% |
551111 | Accounts Clerk | 88,499 | 8,824 | 10% |
821412 | Home Improvement Installer | 10,281 | 8,182 | 80% |
721214 | Excavator Operator | 9,151 | 7,407 | 81% |
8213 | Fencer | 8,391 | 7,311 | 87% |
821712 | Scaffolder | 7,881 | 6,339 | 80% |
7121 | Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator | 9,580 | 4,789 | 50% |
821711 | Construction Rigger | 6,351 | 3,868 | 61% |
821713 | Steel Fixer | 3,657 | 3,410 | 93% |
821411 | Building Insulation Installer | 3,692 | 3,270 | 89% |
721211 | Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) | 3,971 | 2,881 | 73% |
551112 | Cost Clerk | 7,157 | 2,813 | 39% |
611399 | Sales Representatives nec | 16,826 | 2,286 | 14% |
5513 | Payroll Clerk | 24,596 | 2,120 | 9% |
721216 | Loader Operator | 4,855 | 2,106 | 43% |
611311 | Sales Representative (Building and Plumbing Supplies) | 9,110 | 2,098 | 23% |
712915 | Concrete Pump Operator | 1,883 | 1,824 | 97% |
7123 | Engineering Production Worker | 15,108 | 1,708 | 11% |
712211 | Driller | 6,697 | 1,570 | 23% |
7112 | Industrial Spraypainter | 4,162 | 1,378 | 33% |
721215 | Grader Operator | 2,087 | 968 | 46% |
8216 | Railway Track Worker | 3,936 | 962 | 24% |
821911 | Crane Chaser | 887 | 736 | 83% |
721912 | Linemarker | 832 | 690 | 83% |
711999 | Machine Operators nec | 3,864 | 687 | 18% |
899412 | Autoglazier | 1,774 | 534 | 30% |
721213 | Bulldozer Operator | 1,437 | 412 | 29% |
712999 | Stationary Plant Operators nec | 4,089 | 355 | 9% |
721212 | Backhoe Operator | 615 | 341 | 55% |
711913 | Sand Blaster | 496 | 297 | 60% |
721915 | Road Roller Operator | 514 | 291 | 57% |
821714 | Structural Steel Erector | 334 | 260 | 78% |
712914 | Concrete Batching Plant Operator | 656 | 246 | 38% |
721913 | Paving Plant Operator | 257 | 227 | 88% |
733114 | Tanker Driver | 2,748 | 218 | 8% |
721999 | Mobile Plant Operators nec | 800 | 205 | 26% |
711112 | Concrete Products Machine Operator | 446 | 200 | 45% |
711513 | Plastics Fabricator or Welder | 802 | 173 | 22% |
711314 | Other Wood Processing Machine Operator | 1,844 | 166 | 9% |
839313 | Product Tester | 1,470 | 147 | 10% |
721112 | Logging Plant Operator | 1,213 | 110 | 9% |
711111 | Clay Products Machine Operator | 603 | 86 | 14% |
721914 | Railway Track Plant Operator | 229 | 76 | 33% |
711113 | Glass Production Machine Operator | 1,041 | 71 | 7% |
711313 | Sawmilling Operator | 1,469 | 69 | 5% |
711515 | Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker | 656 | 68 | 10% |
712913 | Cement Production Plant Operator | 294 | 51 | 17% |
711114 | Stone Processing Machine Operator | 192 | 50 | 26% |
711199 | Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators nec | 176 | 22 | 13% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
821111 | Builder's Labourer | 36,629 | 31,438 | 86% |
8212 | Concreter | 26,082 | 23,793 | 91% |
8993 | Handyperson | 29,283 | 13,498 | 46% |
8215 | Paving and Surfacing Labourer | 5,832 | 3,653 | 63% |
899999 | Labourers nec | 14,039 | 2,909 | 21% |
841411 | Garden Labourer | 18,123 | 2,755 | 15% |
899923 | Road Traffic Controller | 9,186 | 1,976 | 22% |
899914 | Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant | 2,194 | 1,437 | 65% |
821114 | Plumber's Assistant | 1,473 | 1,294 | 88% |
8322 | Product Assembler | 20,035 | 1,286 | 6% |
821113 | Earthmoving Labourer | 1,809 | 1,262 | 70% |
8391 | Metal Engineering Process Worker | 6,452 | 827 | 13% |
5613 | Filing or Registry Clerk | 11,899 | 648 | 5% |
899918 | Sign Erector | 1,133 | 534 | 47% |
821112 | Drainage, Sewerage and Stormwater Labourer | 3,160 | 452 | 14% |
841999 | Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers nec | 3,847 | 440 | 11% |
821913 | Lagger | 559 | 383 | 69% |
891111 | Freight Handler (Rail or Road) | 6,374 | 328 | 5% |
821912 | Driller's Assistant | 1,667 | 306 | 18% |
839911 | Cement and Concrete Plant Worker | 614 | 191 | 31% |
839413 | Wood and Wood Products Factory Worker | 1,487 | 186 | 13% |
839916 | Glass Processing Worker | 627 | 113 | 18% |
821915 | Surveyor's Assistant | 1,242 | 107 | 9% |
839913 | Clay Processing Factory Worker | 209 | 84 | 40% |
891112 | Truck Driver's Offsider | 1,165 | 77 | 7% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Data Downloads
Industry profile data
This file contains data for all 19 industries to make comparing industry data easy. Information available includes:
- Industry snapshot data
- Industry employment (20-year time series)
- Industry employment projections
- Industry sector employment
- Top employing occupations by industry
Occupations related to each Industry, by Skill Level
This spreadsheet lists occupations that are related to each industry by ANZSCO Skill Level.
Occupation (ANZSCO) to industry (ANZSIC) correspondence
This file maps occupations to industries using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC).
Data are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census.
The purposes of the correspondence are to:
- Identify occupations that contribute a large share of employment to each industry.
- Identify occupations that have a strong association with each industry, even if they do not contribute a large share of employment to the industry.
Useful links
Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC)
The ANZSIC provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of economic data on an industry basis for Australia and New Zealand. The ANZSIC is a hierarchical industry classification with four levels, namely Divisions (the broadest level), Subdivisions, Groups and Classes (the finest level).
There are 19 Division level industries, most industry data on LMI are displayed at this level. Division level industries provide a broad overall picture of the economy and this level is most suitable for the publication of summary tables in official statistics.
The Subdivision, Group and Class levels provide increasingly detailed dissections of these categories for the compilation of more specific and detailed statistics. The sector data on LMI is at the Group level.
For more information on the ANZSIC visit the ABS website.
Industry links
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Administrative and Support Services
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
- Arts and Recreation Services
- Construction
- Education and Training
- Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
- Financial and Insurance Services
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Information Media and Telecommunications
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Other Services
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Public Administration and Safety
- Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services
- Retail Trade
- Transport, Postal and Warehousing
- Wholesale Trade