General Labourer Courses
A General Labourer performs manual tasks on construction sites, requiring physical fitness, teamwork, and the ability to follow instructions.
AI Exposure
Low
Core skills such as social intelligence and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).
View all courses
How 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.
CPC20220
Duration
2 weeks - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
The CPC20220 Certificate II in Construction Pathways prepares you for work in the construction industry and gives you head start if you want to find a trade apprenticeship. You’ll learn how to read and interpret plans, take accurate measurements, and work safely on a building site — then choose electives that support a career in bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, plastering, tiling, or stonemasonry.
Enquire now for the list of speciality areas and enrolment opportunities near you.
Career opportunities
Duration
2 weeks - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Find a provider
CPCCWHS1001
Duration
Half day - 2 weeks
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
CPCCWHS1001 Work Safely in the construction industry (White Card) is a mandatory course for anyone working on a construction site in Australia. This includes site managers, construction supervisors, surveyors, labourers, licensed tradespeople and their apprentices. The course covers work health and safety essentials and is usually delivered over a full day of training. White cards are different in each Australian state and territory so you may additional training if working interstate.
Enquire now to find...
Career opportunities
Duration
Half day - 2 weeks
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Find a provider
22473VIC
Duration
4 months - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
The 22473VIC Certificate II in General Education for Adults is a nationally recognised qualification that prepares you for the workplace or academic studies. If you missed a lot of school or didn’t have access to consistent teaching, this is the course for you. You’ll establish career goals, assemble a portfolio, learn how to research a project — and gain other real work skills in reading, writing, public speaking, maths calculations. PLEASE NOTE: this course also has a module of defence force entrants.
...
Career opportunities
Duration
4 months - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
Find a provider
CPCWHS1001
Duration
Half day - 4 days
Study mode
Blended, Distance, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Get your Construction Industry White Card with the CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry. This nationally recognised short course is mandatory for anyone who routinely enters a construction site in Australia, including site managers, tradies, apprentices, surveyors, and labourers. During your studies, you will learn your WHS responsibilities and develop skills in hazard identification and risk control. The course covers: using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), understanding saf...
Career opportunities
Duration
Half day - 4 days
Study mode
Blended, Distance, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Find a provider
View all
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to General Labourer.
Common questions
How much does a General Labourer earn?
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.
What are the job opportunities for a General Labourer?
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
How do I become a General Labourer?
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.
Choose a field of study
Launch your building and construction career or take it to new heights with an accredited industry course. Find out more and start today!
All courses
Learn to design buildings that inspire, with courses in Architecture. Education pathways for domestic and international students.
Career opportunities
View all
Get the skills to inspect and monitor asbestos sites, prepare areas for asbestos removal and safely remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials.
Career opportunities
View all
All courses
More information
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.
Courses by location