Paving and Surfacing Labourers
Overview
Snapshot
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
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Very 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:
- 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.
Number of Workers
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)
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
-
Most Paving and Surfacing Labourers 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 | 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 |
-
Around 64% of Paving and Surfacing Labourers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - Outer West and Blue Mountains
- Central Coast (NSW)
- Latrobe - Gippsland
- Mid North Coast (NSW).
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
-
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)
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)
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 othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
39%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
39%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
39%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
37%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
37%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
37%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
37%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
36%
Active learningBeing 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%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
55%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
48%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
46%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
44%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
43%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
36%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
33%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
32%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
30%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
29%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
24%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
23%
GeographyDescribing 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 processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
22%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
21%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
18%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
17%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
-
17%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
12%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
48%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
46%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
45%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
45%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
43%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
39%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
39%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
84%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
74%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
64%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
59%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
59%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
59%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
54%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
53%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
51%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
50%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
48%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
48%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
47%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
47%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
-
45%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
44%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
42%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
42%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
40%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
40%
Looking for changes over timeComparing 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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
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.
-
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.
-
57%
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.
-
40%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
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%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
96%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
95%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
93%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
88%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
88%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
87%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
83%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
82%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
82%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
81%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
81%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
80%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
78%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
-
75%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
75%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
75%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
74%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
74%
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, 47-4091.00 - Segmental Pavers.
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
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.