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How to Become a Builder: A Physical Job That’s Respected in Communities

To become a builder, you need to be great at teamwork, have solid attention to detail, and have good communication skills. You also need the practical skills and knowledge to perform the job correctly. Each state has different requirements for gaining a builder’s registration. But, a qualification like a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) or a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50220) is generally required.

Take a deeper look into a role as a builder, discover some skills you might already have and learn what you need to do to get into your new career.

  • Overview
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Skills
  • How to Become
  • Start Learning

Builder job description
info Where we source our data

Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.

That’s why we anonymously surveyed builders about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.

While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.

What is a builder? It may seem a simple question, but this incredibly skilled job is more than meets the eye. We know that builders construct homes, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, and repairs and renovations. But, they are also responsible for coordinating the work being done, dealing with many other stakeholders and ensuring work complies with strict building codes and regulations.
Physical

Physical
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Detail-oriented

Detail-oriented
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Social

Social
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Tasks and responsibilities for a builder

A job as a builder involves many elements. Each day can be different from the last, and each project is unique. 

So, what does a builder do? Builder duties can include:

  • Interpreting or organising plans that meet building code regulations and client specifications
  • Providing quotes for clients and submitting plans to local authorities
  • Consulting with architects, engineers and other professionals
  • Organising contractors, including carpenters, electricians and plumbers
  • Completing building work as required to building codes and standards

Reasons to choose this job
info
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.

Job security

Job security

Where there are people, there are likely to be buildings. The construction industry is predicted to grow 2.4% annually over the next five years and produces 9% of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product. With builders taking up a large proportion of the workforce in the sector, jobs will be in abundance for the foreseeable future. 

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Respected

Respected

Humans have been building structures for thousands of years. As one of the oldest and most respected professions, builders are relied upon for their sound knowledge and expert skills to construct safe and useful buildings. 

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Enjoyable

Enjoyable

Using hands-on, practical skills in domestic building to create homes for families, or your community, or renovate and uplift spaces can be extremely gratifying. You get to make a difference in the world around you and see the results for years to come doing what you love. 

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Job satisfaction

Overall job satisfaction
info
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.

Stress level
info
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

high

Fulfilment
info
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

high

Skill level
info
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.

high

Job market trends for a builder

According to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, the Construction industry generates over $360 billion in revenue and has a projected annual growth rate of 2.4% in the next five years. The job outlook for project builders in Australia is a large occupation, and worker numbers are set to remain stable. 

$179,400 Per Year

Median salary
info Where this data comes from

Median salary

We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth

Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Projected job growth
info Where this data comes from

Median salary

We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth

Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Pathway options
info
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

The specialist skills you gain as a builder can propel your career into senior construction roles or could allow you to branch out into new career paths. 

Where a job as a builder could take you: 

Junior

  • Trade assistant

    Most common qualification:
    Cert II in Construction (CPC20120)

  • Pipelayer

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipe Laying) (RII30920)

  • Road construction worker

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate III in Civil Construction (Road Construction and Maintenance) (RII30920)

  • Traffic controller

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate III in Civil Construction (Traffic Management) (RII30920)

Mid

  • Builder

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120)

  • Electrician

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820)

  • Construction estimator

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (CPC40120)

  • Building inspector

    Most common qualification:
    Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50220)

  • Construction site foreman

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (CPC40120)

  • Contract administrator

    Most common qualification:
    Certificate IV in Building Project Support (Contract Administrator) (CPC40320)

Senior

  • Construction project manager

    Most common qualification:
    Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50320)

  • Construction manager

    Most common qualification:
    Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50320)

  • Quantity surveyor

    Most common qualification:
    Bachelor of Construction Management

Skills you might already have
info
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.

Practical skills and knowledge are essential for building, but there are also natural abilities that make builders great at their job. These skills can be with you from birth or gained through past jobs or life experiences.

A desired builder soft skill set:

Teamwork

Being able to communicate and work effectively with a team of builders and other professionals or subcontractors is extremely important in a role as a builder. Cooperation is one of the main tasks in any construction role to ensure the project is successful from start to finish.

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Problem-solving

Like many jobs, building projects hit snags along the way. Being able to assess and find a solution to any problems that arise quickly and efficiently is a huge advantage in a role as a builder.

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Active listening

Communication skills are essential when interpreting the wants and needs of clients, stakeholders and other professionals involved in a project. Active listening might involve reading between the lines or picking up on frustrations.

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Hard skills
info
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.

The majority of the practical skills you need in a role as a builder are learned on the job or through prior training provided by an RTO (registered training organisation).

What skills do you need to be a builder? Some technical builder skills include:

OHS (occupational health and safety)

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First aid

Read More

Building plan interpretation 

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Construction building codes and standards

Read More

Structural principle application 

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Cost estimates for projects

Read More

Risk management

Read More

Project material sourcing and procurement

Read More

How to become a builder

To be a registered builder in Australia that can sign off on work, you need to hold a builders licence issued by your state's authority. Although requirements vary depending on your state or territory, most require a qualification and prior practical experience.
  1. Complete an apprenticeship

    An excellent way to gain entry into a building job is to complete an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships allow you to earn money while getting valuable work experience and qualifications. Find out more about Australian apprenticeships here.

  2. Study

    Completing a formal VET qualification in building and construction like a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) or a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50220) is the best way to gain the skills needed for a job as a builder and makes you a good candidate for future employers.

  3. Get your builders licence

    To become a builder in Australia, you must either have a licence or be registered. This will depend on the state you live in. Before you apply for either, you need work experience and the right qualification for your location. More about this can be found on state government websites. 

  4. Get a White Card

    To work on a construction site in Australia, you are required to have a White Card. These can be gained by completing a  short course through an RTO (registered training organisation).

Explore related qualifications

An accredited VET course provided by TAFE or an RTO will give you the practical and theoretical skills needed to gain an entry-level position as a builder and progress your professional development. 

Two popular builders qualifications:

Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120)

Study method In-class Online

This course prepares learners for roles in building services, site managing and managing small to medium-sized building businesses. It covers knowledge of structural principles, codes, standards and legal requirements to Class 1 and 10, to a maximum of two storeys and Class 2 to 9 Type C constructions. In addition, it teaches the skills to plan and supervise safe building and construction work, prepare and administer contracts, and apply quality principles to building and construction projects.

This course can be obtained through an Australian Apprenticeship. More info on this can be found here.

Occupation outcomes could include:

  • Builder
  • Construction Supervisor
  • Site Manager
  • Site Supervisor
  • Leading Hand

The average duration for this course is one year. It can be studied full-time or part-time, and it can be studied online. More information on this course and its pathways can be found here.

Read More

5 providers offer this course

Builders Academy Australia
The College for Adult Learning
Building and Construction Training Australia
Realistic Training Options
The Gordon Institute of TAFE

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50220)

Study method In-class Online

This course prepares learners for the roles of a building professional who can apply knowledge of structural principles, risk management, financial management, estimating and preparing and administering building and construction contracts. It also teaches skills in selecting contractors, overseeing building work and its quality and managing construction work in projects including residential and commercial with the following limitations:

  • Residential construction limited to National Construction Code Class 1 and 10 buildings to a maximum of 3 storeys.
  • Commercial construction limited to National Construction Code Class 2 to 9 buildings, Type C and B construction.

The resulting occupational titles can include:

  • Builder
  • General Foreperson
  • Building Inspector

This course is available as part of an Australian Apprenticeship. Find out more here.

More information on course requirements can be found here. 

The average duration of this diploma is 18 months, and the course delivery method can be online, depending on the course provider. 

Read More

5 providers offer this course

Open Colleges
Builders Academy Australia
The College for Adult Learning
Building and Construction Training Australia
The Gordon Institute of TAFE

Related subjects

Jobs in the construction or trade industry are always looking for enthusiastic newcomers. If you would like to look into a different career that is stable, enjoyable and well respected in our communities, there are many to choose from:

Building & Construction
Building & Construction
Plumbing
Plumbing

Related articles

A job as a builder might be just what you are looking for. Here, you can access a huge list of helpful articles, resources and real-life success stories from people in the building industry.

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The Artisan Take the Career Quiz

Job cluster: The Artisan
info What are job clusters?

The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.

The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.

This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.

Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?

The building industry is perfect for people who are hard workers and work well in a team environment. A role as a builder fits well with The Artisan career persona. 

The Artisan appreciates a direct and defined job role that is practical and stable. They are great with hands-on work and are good communicators. 

Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

What qualifications do I need to be a builder?

Each state and territory has its own requirements to gain a builder’s licence. Most people require a qualification like a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) or a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50220) to become a registered building practitioner.

What skills do you need to be a builder?

To become a builder, you need to have a good eye for detail, be a practical problem solver and work well in a team of other professionals. You will also need the skills and knowledge for building, and these can be gained through an accredited VET course supplier like an RTO (registered training organisation)

How much do builders earn?

In Australia, the average salary for a builder is $95,000. Senior builder roles and business owners can earn a much higher salary. 

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