Australia’s construction sector is expanding rapidly, and the demand for skilled and unskilled laborers continues to soar as major infrastructure, commercial, and residential projects are set for completion between 2025 and 2030.
For foreign workers seeking job opportunities with visa sponsorship, the construction laborer role has become one of the most accessible and rewarding pathways to a career in Australia.
Government-backed initiatives like the Skilled Migration Program and Temporary Skill Shortage visas now make it easier for international candidates to find stable employment while earning competitive wages in the country’s booming construction industry.
With projections from Australia’s Department of Employment indicating a growth rate of over 10% in the construction workforce by 2026, laborer roles are now offering annual salaries ranging between AUD 55,000 and AUD 80,000 depending on location, experience, and employer.
More specialized positions, such as concrete finishers or scaffolders, can command higher salaries, sometimes reaching up to AUD 95,000 annually in regions with labor shortages.
These figures highlight why construction laborer jobs in Australia have become a magnet for immigrants aiming to build a better future while enjoying the benefits of visa sponsorship programs.
The Australian economy’s heavy reliance on infrastructure growth, especially in states like New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, means foreign workers with dedication and willingness to learn can secure long-term employment opportunities.
Whether it is road construction, commercial property development, or residential housing projects, laborers play a critical role in ensuring timely project completion and workplace safety.
This article explores everything foreign workers need to know about construction laborer jobs in Australia for 2025, covering entry-level requirements, salary expectations, top-paying regions, hiring companies, visa options, job search platforms, and application procedures.
It is designed to give you practical insights into the Australian construction labor market, helping you make informed career decisions while maximizing the potential of employer-sponsored visas.
Entry-level Skills and Experience Required
Most construction laborer jobs in Australia fall under the unskilled or semi-skilled category, which makes them highly attractive to immigrants without extensive professional experience. However, certain basic skills and qualifications can significantly boost your employability and earning potential.
Physical Fitness and Stamina
Construction work is physically demanding, requiring long hours of lifting, carrying materials, operating equipment, and working under different weather conditions. Employers often prioritize candidates with good health records and the ability to handle physically intensive tasks safely and efficiently.
Basic Safety Training
Australian labor laws strictly enforce workplace safety standards, and most employers expect laborers to hold a White Card, which is a mandatory safety certification for anyone working on construction sites. Obtaining a White Card can cost around AUD 50–AUD 100 and takes only a few hours of online or in-person training to complete.
Experience with Construction Tools
While some employers hire completely inexperienced workers, having basic familiarity with hand tools, concrete mixers, power drills, and scaffolding equipment can give you a competitive edge. Candidates with prior experience in masonry, carpentry, or road construction may also negotiate higher starting salaries.
Communication and Teamwork
Australian construction sites are fast-paced and require effective teamwork to meet deadlines. Even basic English communication skills are crucial since workers need to follow instructions from supervisors, read safety signs, and collaborate with diverse teams of engineers, foremen, and skilled tradespeople.
For immigrants with no previous construction experience, entry-level salaries typically start around AUD 25–AUD 30 per hour, translating to approximately AUD 52,000–AUD 62,000 annually.
Those with a year or two of experience and additional certifications like forklift or scaffolding licenses can earn closer to AUD 70,000 annually within a short period.
Regions with the Highest Payment Structures
Wages for construction laborers in Australia vary significantly depending on location, demand, and the complexity of ongoing projects. Immigrants seeking higher salaries often target metropolitan areas or resource-rich states where construction activity is booming.
New South Wales (Sydney and Surrounding Areas)
Sydney remains Australia’s largest economic hub, with massive commercial, transport, and housing projects fueling demand for construction laborers.
Average wages in Sydney range from AUD 30–AUD 38 per hour, with specialized roles fetching AUD 40–AUD 45 per hour. Major infrastructure initiatives like the Sydney Metro West project ensure labor demand will remain strong through 2025 and beyond.
Victoria (Melbourne)
Melbourne ranks second for construction laborer salaries, averaging AUD 28–AUD 36 per hour. The city’s continuous urban expansion, including high-rise residential apartments and industrial facilities, provides consistent job opportunities for immigrant workers seeking both skilled and unskilled roles with visa sponsorship.
Queensland (Brisbane and Mining Areas)
Queensland offers unique opportunities due to its combination of urban development and resource-driven projects in mining towns. Laborers here often earn between AUD 32–AUD 40 per hour, with mining construction sites paying premium wages sometimes exceeding AUD 100,000 annually for specialized labor positions.
Western Australia (Perth and Remote Regions)
Remote infrastructure projects in Western Australia, especially those related to mining and energy sectors, offer some of the highest laborer salaries. Hourly wages here range from AUD 35–AUD 42, with employers often providing free accommodation and travel allowances due to the remote nature of the work.
Salary Expectations for Construction Laborers
Understanding salary expectations is crucial for immigrants planning a move to Australia under visa sponsorship programs. While salaries vary by region, experience, and employer, construction laborers enjoy competitive wages compared to many other entry-level professions.
Entry-Level Salaries
Fresh immigrants with little to no experience typically start at around AUD 25 per hour, earning between AUD 50,000 and AUD 55,000 annually. However, after completing mandatory certifications like the White Card and gaining six months of experience, salaries often rise to AUD 28–AUD 30 per hour.
Mid-Level Salaries
Laborers with one to three years of experience, combined with additional training in scaffolding or machinery operation, can expect salaries in the AUD 65,000–AUD 75,000 range annually. Many companies also provide overtime pay, which can add an extra AUD 5,000–AUD 10,000 per year.
Specialized Laborer Salaries
Roles such as concrete finishers, demolition workers, or those assisting heavy equipment operators often command wages exceeding AUD 40 per hour, translating to AUD 85,000–AUD 95,000 annually in high-demand regions like Western Australia or mining towns in Queensland.
Salary Growth Potential
Foreign workers who demonstrate reliability and pursue trade certifications may transition into supervisory roles within two to three years. Site supervisors and leading hands often earn over AUD 100,000 annually, showcasing the career growth opportunities available in the construction sector.
Companies Hiring Construction Laborers in Australia
The Australian construction sector employs over 1.3 million people, and laborers form the backbone of this workforce. For immigrants seeking employment with visa sponsorship, certain companies stand out for consistently hiring foreign workers and offering competitive wages with stable job security.
Multiplex Construction
Multiplex is one of Australia’s largest construction firms, handling major commercial and residential projects across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Laborers employed by Multiplex typically earn between AUD 30–AUD 40 per hour, depending on experience.
The company is known for sponsoring skilled and semi-skilled workers under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, particularly when projects face labor shortages.
Lendlease Group
Operating both locally and internationally, Lendlease is a top employer for laborers involved in infrastructure, industrial, and civil construction projects. Annual salaries for entry-level laborers start around AUD 55,000 and can reach AUD 80,000 for experienced workers or those in high-demand roles like demolition or concrete placement.
Hutchinson Builders
With projects spread across Queensland and New South Wales, Hutchinson Builders hires hundreds of laborers annually. Many immigrants choose this employer due to its focus on training programs, allowing workers to upskill and move into supervisory roles within a few years while earning between AUD 60,000 and AUD 85,000 annually.
CPB Contractors
Specializing in large-scale infrastructure projects like highways, rail lines, and bridges, CPB Contractors is among the highest-paying employers for laborers in Australia. Some remote projects offer wages of AUD 40–AUD 45 per hour plus accommodation and food allowances, making it an attractive option for immigrants seeking financial stability.
Companies like Downer EDI, John Holland Group, and Fulton Hogan also hire foreign laborers regularly, especially in areas experiencing worker shortages.
Since most of these firms are involved in government-funded projects, employment stability remains high, and workers often benefit from overtime payments and long-term contracts extending beyond initial project completion.
Visa Types and Options for Construction Laborers
Immigrants planning to work as construction laborers in Australia must understand the visa options available to secure legal employment. The Australian government has streamlined several visa categories to meet labor demands while ensuring foreign workers are protected under labor laws.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482
This is the most common visa for construction laborers. It allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for up to four years when no suitable Australian worker is available. Laborers under this visa can earn competitive wages, typically between AUD 55,000 and AUD 85,000 annually, depending on experience and location.
Skilled Regional Visa – Subclass 491
Immigrants willing to work in regional areas with labor shortages can apply for this visa. Workers in Queensland or Western Australia under the Subclass 491 visa often receive additional benefits such as housing allowances, making it financially rewarding for those open to relocation.
Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186
Laborers who demonstrate consistent performance and meet employer requirements may transition from temporary visas to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 visa. This pathway is attractive to immigrants seeking long-term stability and access to higher-paying supervisory roles.
Working Holiday Visa – Subclass 417
Young immigrants aged 18–30 can work in construction under this visa for short-term periods while exploring Australia. While salaries remain similar to full-time laborers, ranging from AUD 25–AUD 35 per hour, visa holders must switch to employer-sponsored visas for permanent roles.
Understanding these visa options ensures immigrants choose the right pathway for both immediate employment and long-term career prospects in Australia’s construction industry.
Where to Find Construction Laborer Jobs Opportunities
Foreign workers often wonder where to start their job search for construction laborer roles in Australia. Fortunately, multiple online and offline platforms connect immigrants with employers offering visa sponsorship opportunities.
Online Job Portals
Websites like Seek, Indeed Australia, and Workforce Australia list thousands of construction laborer jobs daily. Many postings explicitly mention visa sponsorship options, hourly wages, and training requirements.
For example, Seek currently lists over 5,000 construction roles across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with salaries ranging from AUD 50,000 to AUD 90,000 annually.
Construction Recruitment Agencies
Agencies such as Hays Construction and Randstad specialize in connecting employers with foreign workers. These agencies assist with resume preparation, interview coaching, and visa documentation, making the hiring process smoother for immigrants.
Direct Company Websites
Large construction firms like Multiplex, CPB Contractors, and Lendlease frequently update their career portals with job openings. Applicants can apply directly, often receiving faster responses compared to general job boards.
Regional Development Programs
Certain Australian states actively recruit laborers through regional development initiatives to address workforce shortages. For instance, Queensland’s Work in Paradise program connects foreign laborers with employers in mining towns and remote construction projects offering salaries exceeding AUD 90,000 annually.
By using a combination of these platforms, immigrants can maximize their chances of securing high-paying construction laborer jobs with visa sponsorship in Australia.
How to Apply for Construction Laborer Jobs as an Immigrant in Australia
The application process for construction laborer jobs in Australia involves several steps, each designed to ensure compliance with labor laws and visa requirements while matching the right candidates with suitable employers.
Preparing a Professional Resume
Immigrants should craft a resume highlighting relevant skills, certifications like the White Card, and previous construction experience. Employers value clear, concise resumes listing hourly wage expectations, location preferences, and willingness to work overtime or relocate if necessary.
Applying Through Approved Channels
Job seekers should prioritize verified platforms such as Seek, Indeed, or direct company websites. Applying through recruitment agencies familiar with visa sponsorship procedures also increases the likelihood of success, especially for first-time immigrants.
Interview and Documentation
Most employers conduct online or in-person interviews to assess communication skills, technical abilities, and physical fitness levels. Candidates must also submit identification documents, health clearances, and, where applicable, English language test results to meet visa requirements.
Visa Sponsorship Processing
Once hired, the employer initiates the visa sponsorship process. Under the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, processing times typically range from four to eight weeks, depending on the applicant’s country of origin and documentation completeness.
Final Relocation and Onboarding
Upon visa approval, workers travel to Australia and undergo site-specific safety orientations before commencing work. Many employers provide relocation assistance, including temporary housing and transport allowances, especially for remote project locations.
By following these steps carefully, foreign workers can secure high-paying construction laborer roles in Australia while benefiting from employer-sponsored visas and potential pathways to permanent residency.