Other Construction and Mining Labourers

ANZSCO ID 8219

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
9,000
Future Growth
-8.6%
Weekly Earnings
$1,748
Full-Time Share
81%
Female Share
5%
Average age
35

Summary

Other Construction and Mining Labourers includes occupations such as Crane Chasers, Driller's Assistants, Laggers, Mining Support Workers and Surveyor's Assistants.

Tasks

  • slings cranes and winches, and directs the movement of loads ensuring loads do not exceed lifting capacities

  • performs routine tasks in setting up, operating and dismantling drilling sites for extracting oil, gas, mineral ore or water

  • applies insulating materials, such as felt, fibreglass, polyurethane and cork, to pipes, steam generators, process vats and ducting, and secures insulation with wire, wire netting, staples, metal strapping and using welding torches

  • performs routine tasks in mining and mineral ore treating operations such as assembling, operating and dismantling mining equipment, taking ore, rock and dust samples, and mixing ore treating chemicals and catalysts

  • performs routine tasks to assist surveyors and geologists by transporting, assembling, maintaining and laying out prospecting and surveying equipment, and collecting and labelling samples

Characteristics

Job Type
Labourers
Skill Level
Entry level
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Above average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Medium
  • Heavy
  • Very Heavy

Outlook

Employment 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:

  • is expected to decline
  • is likely to reach 5,200 by 2026.
  • 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.

Projected Change
-8.6%
(or -500 jobs)
From
5,700
in 2021
To
5,200
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 8,500
2012 8,400
2013 8,800
2014 3,700
2015 7,000
2016 7,600
2017 6,900
2018 6,900
2019 8,700
2020 8,800
2021 5,700
2026 5,200

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

  • Around 81% of people employed as Other Construction and Mining Labourers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 15 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 57 hours per week in their main job. This is 13 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,748 per week, this is higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,512
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $2,362

    Median hourly earnings are $34, 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)

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.
Earnings Other Construction and Mining Labourers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,748 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

1
Mining
56.6%
2
Construction
21.1%
3
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
10.5%
4
Manufacturing
6.6%
5
Other industries
5.3%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

26.1% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

12.9% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

25.2% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

4.7% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

27.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.7% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.3% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.6% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Other Construction and Mining Labourers All Jobs Average
NSW 26.1 31.6
VIC 12.9 25.6
QLD 25.2 20.0
SA 4.7 7.0
WA 27.3 10.8
TAS 1.7 2.0
NT 1.3 1.0
ACT 0.6 1.9


  • Around 55% of Other Construction and Mining Labourers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Western Australia and Queensland have a large share of employment relative to their 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

Age In Years
35
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
5%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Other Construction and Mining Labourers is 35 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 5% of the workforce. This is 43 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Other Construction and Mining Labourers All Jobs Average
15-19 3.2 5.0
20-24 14.7 9.3
25-34 31.8 22.9
35-44 20.2 22.0
45-54 16.8 21.6
55-59 6.4 9.0
60-64 3.9 6.0
65 and Over 3.0 4.2
Median Age 35 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 an Other Construction or Mining Labourer. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related trade.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

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.
Type of Qualification Other Construction and Mining Labourers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 1.3 10.1
Bachelor degree 6.2 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 5.5 11.6
Certificate III/IV 34.6 21.1
Year 12 23.2 18.1
Year 11 6.8 4.8
Year 10 and below 22.3 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 Construction and Mining Labourers who are reliable, hardworking and can work independently.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 48%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 46%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 46%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 45%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 43%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 41%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 41%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 39%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 39%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 39%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 37%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 37%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 37%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 37%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 36%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 34%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 34%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 32%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 32%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 54%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 44%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 42%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 41%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 39%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 38%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 37%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 35%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 33%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 30%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 29%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 27%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 26%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 26%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 26%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 25%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 22%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • 19%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 19%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 14%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 55%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 54%

    Reaction time

    Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.

  • 54%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 52%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 50%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 48%

    Depth perception

    Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.

  • 48%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 46%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 46%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 46%

    Hearing sensitivity

    Tell the difference between sounds.

  • 46%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 43%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 43%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • 43%

    Rate control

    Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

  • 41%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 41%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 39%

    Whole body coordination

    Move your arms, legs, and body together.

  • 39%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 39%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 73%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 68%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 66%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 66%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 66%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 64%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 62%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 61%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 61%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 61%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 60%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 60%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 57%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 57%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 56%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 55%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 53%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 52%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 52%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

  • 50%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.


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%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 62%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 38%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 29%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 29%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 14%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 67%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 43%

    Relationships

    Serve 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.

  • 43%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 38%

    Independence

    Work 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.

  • 29%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 14%

    Recognition

    Advancement 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

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 100%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 94%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 92%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 92%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 91%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 90%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 88%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 87%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 87%

    Bright or inadequate lighting

    Work in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.

  • 84%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 84%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 83%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 83%

    Cramped work space

    Work in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.

  • 82%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 82%

    Pace of work set by equipment

    Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.

  • 79%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 79%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 78%

    In an enclosed vehicle or equipment

    Work in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).

  • 78%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 75%

    Whole body vibration

    Be exposed to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer).

Occupational Information Network
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, 47-5081.00 - Helpers--Extraction Workers.


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