Are you wondering if general labour is for you and if you should make a career in this industry? In this article, we will explore what general labour is, what skills you need, and how to become a general labourer in Australia.
There are many opportunities for general labourers across Australia, especially in Brisbane. It means that you can easily find a job and kickstart your career. You can hire general labourers in Brisbane if you are a business looking for an additional workforce of general labourers for your construction project.
Table of Contents
What is General Labour?
As the term suggests, ‘general labourer’ is a general field covering various tasks with many different types of roles and exciting opportunities.
A general labourer performs labouring duties, which mostly require manual work to support additional operations of the businesses in different sectors, e.g., construction, traffic control, agriculture, etc.
In other words, what you do as a general labourer depends on your skillset, licenses, training, and the industry or sector. For instance, if you are a licensed electrician, you may install light fixtures, other electric components, etc. Some roles may require specialised training as well.
How to Become a General Labourer in Australia
Qualifications
To work as a general labourer, you don’t require higher education qualifications, as the training is typically provided on the job. In addition, work nature is also physical, so you get better and refine your skills on the job.
You must get a White Card because Australian employers prefer you to have one, and you have obtained the required training and certifications from a registered organisation. If you don’t have a White Card, first decide which industry you would like to work for, as there are many industries, e.g., construction or demolition and then complete the required training with a registered organisation.
It is a mandatory requirement for becoming a general labourer or a construction worker, in general, to work at construction or building sites in Australia. Therefore, we highly recommend you complete the required course to get a White Card if you don’t have one yet. Additionally, you can complete a TAFE course called “Certificate I in Construction”.
Skills and Attributes
Here are some skills and attributes that can help you excel in a general labourer role:
- Physical Fitness: As a general labourer, you may need to perform strenuous physical tasks for extended hours; therefore, you must be physically fit to perform the required duties. For instance, you may be moving heavy equipment from one place to another or mining for several hours. Endurance and stamina will help in this type of work.
- Flexibility: You need to be flexible with working in various construction and work sites in different weather conditions.
- Active Listening: You need to be an active listener to adhere to commands and instructions from your line supervisor while working. Being a good listener helps you perform your duties correctly and retain information if you are asked to memorise some information or tasks.
- Knowledge of Operating Tools: If you have experience operating specific tools, e.g., hand and power tools, those skills can be helpful while working as a general labourer. With the experience of using these tools, you can perform specific tasks safely and efficiently on the site.
- Understanding of Safety Procedures: Construction and other sectors come with their own set of challenges and risks, so regardless of which sector you work for, there can be many safety hazards. Therefore, you must have a strong knowledge and grasp of the required safety measures and protocols to cater to any emergency and unforeseen circumstances and respond diligently to overcome such issues and maintain a safe working environment for yourself and others.
- Time Management: You must undertake several tasks while working as a general labourer, which is time-bound. Therefore, having time management skills gives you an edge over others and can help you manage your daily responsibilities effectively and promptly.
- Teamwork: Working in teams and effective communication are highly regarded in this profession to achieve a common goal.
Types of General Labourer Duties
Here are some of the duties of a general labourer:
- Assisting at a construction site and working with building materials
- Cleaning building
- Setting up scaffolding
- Securing construction sites
- Working as a plumber, handyman, or carpenter
- Working with power tools and hand tools, e.g., sledgehammers and drills
- Unloading and moving cargo from one place to another
- Managing and leading a crew
Wrapping Up
The general labour field offers projected job growth of over 8% in the next five years. In addition, the general labourer’s average annual salary ranges from $50,000 to $65,000 in Australia. So it’s a rewarding opportunity if you are considering making a career as a general labourer in Australia. There are hundreds of online job platforms and thousands of labour hire agencies you can register with to get started and start applying for the relevant jobs.
