The construction industry in Australia is a massive sector of the economy, employing more than one million people and generating revenue of over $250 billion annually. A broad definition of the industry includes the construction of buildings, roads, utilities infrastructure such as water, gas and electricity plants, sewerage networks, bridges and other civil engineering projects, mines and telecommunications infrastructure.

Within the industry there are clearly a broad number of professions represented and a wide range of job opportunities. Remembering that construction includes project planning, site preparation, building services and building completion services such as fitouts and other types of installation services.

Geographically the industry is everywhere although a number of sub sectors of the industry are more geo dependent. For example, housing construction tends to be concentrated around areas of population growth with most of that occurring in the state capital cities while mining construction is currently concentrated in the outback areas of western and northern Australia.

Occupations in the construction industry range from architecture, project management, surveying, asset management, leasing, valuation, engineering (including civil, mechanical, electrical, mechanical and structural engineering) and estimating through to bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, joiners, plant operators, scaffolders and window cleaners.

With such as extensive range of job opportunities there really is something for everyone in this industry. Whether you have an interest in office work that involves working with numbers and mathematics, or prefer to be outside working with machinery or perhaps inside buildings doing fitouts, flooring, glassing or plastering. All these options and many more are required in the construction industry.

The professional occupations require potential job applicants to have tertiary studies and degrees, some of which are extensive in their subject matter and take many years to complete. Other roles, including many of the traditional blue collar jobs, require trade apprenticeships or TAFE certifications.

There are some regulatory education requirements that cross all job types in the construction industry. This includes the national White Card certification (work safely in the construction industry) that is required for any person, regardless of their occupation, who is required to enter a construction site as a part of their employment.

The white card training specifically covers the occupational health and safety responsibilities of people working on a construction site, how to recognise risks and hazards, how to deal with safety incidents onsite and any reporting requirements. This course is run by various registered training organisations around the country.

The state TAFE institutions provide courses for just about all job roles within the construction industry. Courses range from builder’s labourer and cabinetmaker to first aid officer, floor finisher, real estate agent and signwriter.

Once you have gained the necessary qualifications for your chosen career there are many avenues to getting the job that you want. You can search through various career websites, industry placement businesses or even directly with both government and private enterprises that operate in the industry.

When you have employment you will find the job progression opportunities more easily with the help of your employer, work of mouth and contacts you make.