Paving and Surfacing Labourers

ANZSCO ID 8215

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
7,600
Future Growth
12.2%
Weekly Earnings
$1,234
Full-Time Share
87%
Female Share
2%
Average age
42

Summary

Paving and Surfacing Labourers perform routine tasks associated in laying bituminous and other paving materials on roads, runways, parking areas and other surfaces to be paved.

Tasks

  • sweeping paving bases prior to laying asphalt and other surfaces

  • sprinkling and brushing hot and cold-mix asphalt over surfaces to be paved and repaired to bond asphalt toppings to bases

  • operating tank-truck distributors and hoses to spray tar and road oils and emulsions on graded surfaces prior to paving

  • tripping tail-gate levers to discharge hot-mix asphalt into paving machines, and spreading stone chips, gravel and cold-mix asphalt onto road surfaces

  • shovelling asphalt mix into areas inaccessible to paving machines, and compacting mix using rakes and hand tampers

  • cutting and trimming damaged surfaces using jack-hammers and softening edges of areas to be repaired with blowtorches

  • erecting and dismantling barricades

  • loading and unloading equipment, and cleaning work sites

  • may direct traffic

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
Physical Demand
  • 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 grow strongly
  • is likely to reach 5,500 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
12.2%
(or 600 jobs)
From
4,900
in 2021
To
5,500
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 9,600
2012 11,500
2013 8,700
2014 4,800
2015 9,100
2016 10,400
2017 7,900
2018 9,600
2019 9,000
2020 3,400
2021 4,900
2026 5,500

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 88% of people employed as Paving and Surfacing Labourers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 22 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.

    More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,234 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,168
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,364

    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. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. 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 Paving and Surfacing Labourers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,234 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
Construction
67.1%
2
Public Administration and Safety
28.8%
3
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services
2.7%
4
Manufacturing
1.4%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

32.1% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

23.1% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

23.6% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.8% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

8.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

4.2% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.8% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Paving and Surfacing Labourers All Jobs Average
NSW 32.1 31.6
VIC 23.1 25.6
QLD 23.6 20.0
SA 6.8 7.0
WA 8.3 10.8
TAS 4.2 2.0
NT 1.0 1.0
ACT 0.8 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
42
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
2%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Paving and Surfacing Labourers is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.

    Females make up 2% of the workforce. This is 46 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 Paving and Surfacing Labourers All Jobs Average
15-19 3.1 5.0
20-24 9.8 9.3
25-34 22.8 22.9
35-44 20.7 22.0
45-54 23.0 21.6
55-59 10.8 9.0
60-64 7.3 6.0
65 and Over 2.6 4.2
Median Age 42 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 usually required to work as a Paving and Surfacing Labourer. Some workers have a certificate II in stoneworking or bituminous surfacing.

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)

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 Paving and Surfacing Labourers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.2 10.1
Bachelor degree 1.6 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 2.9 11.6
Certificate III/IV 31.9 21.1
Year 12 16.7 18.1
Year 11 9.4 4.8
Year 10 and below 37.4 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 Paving and Surfacing Labourers who are motivated and hardworking.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 54%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 43%

    Active listening

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

  • 43%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 41%

    Monitoring

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

  • 41%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 41%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 39%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 39%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 39%

    Management of personnel resources

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

  • 39%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 39%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 39%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 39%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 37%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 37%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 37%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 37%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 37%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 37%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 36%

    Active learning

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


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 56%

    Mechanical

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

  • 55%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 48%

    Building and construction

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

  • 46%

    Transportation

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

  • 44%

    Administration and management

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

  • 43%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 36%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 33%

    Technical design

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

  • 32%

    Education and training

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

  • 30%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 29%

    Chemistry

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

  • 24%

    Physics

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

  • 23%

    Geography

    Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.

  • 23%

    Production and processing

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

  • 22%

    English language

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

  • 21%

    Psychology

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

  • 18%

    Law and government

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

  • 17%

    Therapy and counselling

    Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.

  • 17%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 12%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 50%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 48%

    Control precision

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

  • 46%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 46%

    Near vision

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

  • 46%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 45%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 45%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 45%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 45%

    Trunk strength

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

  • 45%

    Visualization

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

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 43%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 43%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 43%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 43%

    Reaction time

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

  • 41%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 41%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 41%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 39%

    Depth perception

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

  • 39%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.


Activities

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

  • 84%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 74%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 64%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 59%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 59%

    Coordinating the work of a team

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

  • 59%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 54%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 53%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

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

  • 51%

    Planning and prioritising work

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

  • 50%

    Coaching and developing others

    Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.

  • 48%

    Training and teaching others

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

  • 48%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 47%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

  • 47%

    Influencing people

    Convincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.

  • 45%

    Checking compliance with standards

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

  • 44%

    Communicating with the public

    Giving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 42%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 42%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

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

  • 40%

    Guiding and directing staff

    Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.

  • 40%

    Looking for changes over time

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


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.

  • 38%

    Administrative

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

  • 33%

    Enterprising

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

  • 24%

    Creative

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

  • 14%

    Analytical

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

  • 14%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


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.

  • 62%

    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.

  • 57%

    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.

  • 40%

    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.

  • 33%

    Achievement

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

  • 33%

    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:
  • 99%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 96%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 95%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 93%

    Contact with people

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

  • 88%

    In an enclosed vehicle or equipment

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

  • 88%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 87%

    Outdoors, exposed to weather

    Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.

  • 87%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 83%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 82%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 82%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 81%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 81%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

  • 80%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 78%

    Conflict situations

    Deal with conflict or disagreements.

  • 75%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 75%

    Letters and memos

    Write letters and memos.

  • 75%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 74%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 74%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

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, 47-4091.00 - Segmental Pavers.


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