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A General Hand takes on various duties on a construction or building site. You might set up equipment or move building materials where they’re needed. General Hands might load and unload supplies or prepare a site for work by removing debris and unwanted materials. You might dig holes and trenches or erect temporary fencing as instructed.
General Hands should be flexible and willing to perform a range of tasks. You’ll need to be physically fit and able to carry out heavy lifting when required. General Hands must be able to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions. It’s important you can work as part of a team and follow directions closely.
There is one course available for people who want to become a General Hand.
Possible job outcomes:
Thinking about a career in construction but not sure if it’s for you? The CPC20120 Certificate II in Construction will prepare you for work as a labourer on a construction site, but it’s also a great pre-apprenticeship program. Over 6-12 months of study you will learn how to safely use standard tools, take measurements, perform calculations and levelling, work at heights, and carry out basic concreting. The course also covers excavation and demolition work. Enquire now for the list of study units and enrolment opportunities near you..
Average duration: 6 months.
In Australia, a full time General Hand generally earns $960 per week ($49,920 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.
This industry is likely to experience a strong growth in employment numbers in coming years. There are currently 38,200 people working in this field in Australia and many of them specialise as a General Hand. General Hands may find work across all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
If a career as a General Hand interests you, consider enrolling in a Certificate III in Civil Construction. You’ll develop the skills to start work in road, bridge or tunnel construction. This course covers topics including reading plans and job specifications, using a range of hand and power tools and performing accurate measurements and calculations.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within civil construction. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Civil Construction
Concreter
$960 weekly pay
Construction Labourer
Construction Worker
Excavator Operator
$1,050 weekly pay
General Hand
General Labourer
Loader Operator
Mobile Crane Operator
$1,400 weekly pay
Pipelayer
Rigger
Road Construction Worker
Road Marker
Steel Fixer
Traffic Controller
Building Estimator
$1,440 weekly pay
Construction Estimator
Construction Supervisor
$1,150 weekly pay
Grader Operator
$1,540 weekly pay
Site Foreman
Building Contractor
$1,550 weekly pay
Construction Manager
Construction Project Manager
Learn more about General Hand courses in your area.