Construction worker

Construction worker pay, licences and rules in Australia

Updated 4 November 2026

Labour hire rates for construction workers in Australia run from about A$35 to A$65 per hour, and employee salaries from A$58,095 to A$92,306 a year. The average full-time construction worker earns about A$1,600 a week before tax. To see current offers for your job, describe it in a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Rules, super and licences

Under the Building and Construction Award there are no junior pay rates: every employee other than an apprentice is paid an adult rate. Labour hire rates usually include 12% super and workers' compensation, so compare them with a salary plus those costs.

If you work for yourself on residential building work, the licence rules are stricter. In NSW a builder's licence is required for residential building work over A$5,000, with fees from A$830 to A$4,631. Most states limit unlicensed building work to small jobs, under A$5,000 to A$20,000.

Season and where you work

November is spring, and summer from December to February brings the hottest working days, so sites often start early. Winter, June to August, is cooler but can be wet. Name the city where you can work: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide.

What to write in your request

Give the type of work, the pay you expect, the workplace, schedule, your experience, employment type (employee, contractor or labour hire), whether you work solo or in a team, and whether you need accommodation. Ask whether an offer is before or after tax, and whether super is included.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the job in your own words in a free chat, and you can add a photo. The AI asks for missing details, looks through sellers' websites and price lists in Australia, and shows the offers and businesses it finds. Registered businesses reply with their own offer and terms, and your contacts stay hidden. See construction and finishing works or general labourer.