This role has a moderate level of AI exposure. AI can enhance efficiency for some tasks, but this job still relies on human skills and decision-making.
Explore all careersHow do I become a General Labourer?
Get qualified to work as a General Labourer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to General Labourer
Common questions
In Australia, a full time General Labourer generally earns $1,200 per week ($62,400 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
Courses.com.au Team
There are currently 38,200 General Labourers in Australia and this number has increased in recent years. Five years ago there were 34,000 people working as a General Labourer. General Labourers can find work in all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
Courses.com.au Team
A Certificate I or II in Construction is a great way to start if you’d like to begin a career as a General Labourer. You’ll explore topics like working safely on a building site and become familiar with common construction materials and tools. You’ll also develop some basic construction skills. If you’re interested in this sort of career you could also consider a Certificate II in Construction Pathways.
Courses.com.au Team
Further reading
How to start a career in Warehousing
3rd November 2021
What can you do with a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)?
16th February 2022All general labourer courses
- CPC20220 Certificate II in Construction Pathways
- CPCWHS1001 Prepare To Work Safely In The Construction Industry
- FSK10119 Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways (Digital Literacy Skill Set)
- 22473VIC Certificate II in General Education for Adults
- RII10115 Certificate I in Resources and Infrastructure Operations
- BSBWHS201 Contribute to Health and Safety of Self and Others
- 52770WA Certificate I in Wider Opportunities for Work (WOW)
- 10725NAT Course in Preliminary Spoken and Written English
- 22566VIC Certificate I in Work Education
- 11140NAT Certificate II in Skills for Education Training and Employment Pathways
- 22471VIC Course in Initial General Education for Adults
- 11041NAT Certificate II in Further Study Skills
- 22302VIC Certificate I in Work Education
- VU21936 Observe for the Safe Operation of Plant and Equipment Around Overhead and Underground Assets
- 10465NAT Certificate III in Work Skills for Career Enhancement and Management
- TLID0020 Shift Materials Safely Using Manual Handling Methods
- CPCCDE3016 Identify Hazards on Demolition Sites and Apply Risk Management Strategies
- AUM20218 Certificate II in Automotive Manufacturing Production - Bus, Truck and Trailer
- RIISAM203E Use Hand and Power Tools
- FBPOPR2074 Carry Out Manual Handling Tasks
- RII20120 Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation
- 10728NAT Certificate II in Spoken and Written English
- FSK10119 Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways
- RIIMPO208F Operate Support Equipment
- RIIMPO334E Conduct Skid Steer Loader Operations Using Attachments
- 22474VIC Certificate III in General Education for Adults
- CPCCWHS1001 Work Safely in the Construction Industry (White Card)
- 11039NAT Certificate II in Career Preparation
- RII20720 Certificate II in Civil Construction
- 22554VIC Course in Initial Adult Literacy and Numeracy
General Labourer careers
A General Labourer attends to manual labour tasks on a building or construction project. You might be involved with a large project and be part of a bigger team or you may work on a smaller job helping out a tradesperson or a builder. Your work will depend on the project involved but you might have to do things like clear a site of rubble and debris, unload building materials or get equipment ready for work to begin.
A General Labourer will often work long days and start early in the morning. You’ll spend a lot of time outdoors and have to be ready for physically demanding work and heavy lifting. You’ll change job sites regularly and will need to have access to transport to different sites. Teamwork is crucial for a General Labourer and you’ll have to be able to follow directions well.
