Bricklayers and Stonemasons
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Bricklayers and Stonemasons lay bricks, pre-cut stones and other types of building blocks in mortar to construct and repair walls, partitions, arches and other structures, and cut and shape hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs for the construction and renovation of stone structures and monumental masonry.
Tasks
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studying plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures
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erecting and dismantling restricted height scaffolding
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sealing foundations with damp-resistant materials and spreading layers of mortar to serve as base and binder for blocks using trowels
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laying bricks in rows, designs and shapes, and spreading mortar between joints
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embedding blocks in mortar and removing excess mortar
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checking vertical and horizontal alignment
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cutting, shaping and polishing stones and bricks using machines and hand tools, and shaping bricks to fit irregular spaces
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repairing and maintaining bricks, cement blocks and related structures
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designing and cutting monumental masonry and lettering
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constructing walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks
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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Analytical
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Administrative
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Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 34,300 |
2012 | 24,700 |
2013 | 24,600 |
2014 | 26,700 |
2015 | 33,400 |
2016 | 22,800 |
2017 | 28,700 |
2018 | 35,700 |
2019 | 31,300 |
2020 | 21,300 |
2021 | 24,500 |
2026 | 25,000 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 78% of people employed as Bricklayers and Stonemasons work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,401 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,185
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,730
Median hourly earnings are $32, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Bricklayers and Stonemasons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,401 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Bricklayers and Stonemasons work in the Construction industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Bricklayers and Stonemasons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 25.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 14.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.4 | 7.0 |
WA | 19.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 60% of Bricklayers and Stonemasons live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
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 Bricklayers and Stonemasons is 38 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 1% of the workforce. This is 47 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 | Bricklayers and Stonemasons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 25.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 19.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 38 | 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 certificate III in bricklaying or stonemasonry is usually needed to work as a Bricklayer or Stonemason. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Registration or licencing may be required.
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 | Bricklayers and Stonemasons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 1.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 2.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 63.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 10.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 17.5 | 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 Bricklayers and Stonemasons who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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50%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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46%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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37%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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34%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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29%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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29%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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29%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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27%
Management of material resourcesProviding the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.
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27%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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75%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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57%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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54%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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52%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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46%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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45%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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44%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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42%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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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%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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39%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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37%
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%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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33%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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33%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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28%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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28%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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24%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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20%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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63%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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61%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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52%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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39%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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37%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
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37%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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36%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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36%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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32%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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87%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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81%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
74%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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72%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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68%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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67%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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66%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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63%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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62%
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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62%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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62%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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61%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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61%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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61%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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57%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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57%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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57%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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56%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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54%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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34%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of 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.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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62%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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38%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
19%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
67%
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.
-
57%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
48%
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.
-
43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
38%
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.
-
33%
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
-
99%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
98%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
96%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
96%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
93%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
92%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
89%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
88%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Work at heightsWork in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).
-
85%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
83%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
83%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
81%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
77%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
76%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
76%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
75%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
74%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
72%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
71%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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, 47-2021.00 - Brickmasons and Blockmasons.
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.