Want a hands-on job that helps create durable homes, roads, and commercial buildings? Learning how to become a concreter can lead to an in-demand career across Australia’s construction industry.
A concreter is a construction tradesperson who prepares sites. They also mix, pour, place, level, finish, and cure concrete for slabs, footings, walls, bridges, and other structures. Concrete is the most frequently used material in construction. Good concrete work is essential for the safety and durability of buildings.
This guide covers the work, Certificate III training, apprenticeship pathway, salary, licences, and skills you’ll need to build a successful career.
What Does a Concreter Do on a Construction Site?
Concreters mix, pour, and finish concrete. They perform this work across residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects. You might work on house slabs, commercial buildings, bridges, roads, or other civil construction projects. The job covers much more than moving wet cement. Concrete properties change with mix ratios, water content, and temperature. Accurate preparation and curing matter.
Typical concreting tasks include:
- Completing site preparation, hand excavation, and basic levelling procedures.
- Building formwork and learning to dismantle formwork for slabs, footings, and walls.
- Reading blueprints, learning to interpret plans and project specifications, and following a reinforcement schedule.
- Laying steel reinforcing and correctly placing reinforcement materials before a pour.
- Measuring concrete mixes, placing and levelling concrete, and then curing it for strength.
- Using screeds, trowels, trowelling machines, and power tools to smooth and finish concrete and walls.
- Installing steel plates, steel bolts, door sills, and other fixtures.
- Rubbing concrete, cutting concrete, and forming joints to control cracking.
- Creating decorative finishes by colouring freshly poured concrete or sealing concrete.
Concreting involves heavy physical labour, so stamina and strength are important. Concreters also need attention to detail. Teamwork and communication are also necessary to produce accurate finishes and coordinate safely with everyone on site. WHS requirements include following safe procedures and wearing suitable personal protective equipment (PPE).
How to Become a Concreter in 5 Steps
You can start as a concreting labourer without formal qualifications. To become a qualified professional concreter, however, employers generally look for practical skills and industry-standard training. A Certificate III in Concreting is also highly regarded.
- Complete Year 10. Entry requirements usually include at least Year 10 education or equivalent literacy and numeracy skills. Major’s course formally requires construction-induction competency, while employers may set their own education requirements.
- Get your White Card. A White Card is required before you can enter and work on construction sites in Australia. Major offers the CPCWHS1001 White Card course.
- Find an employer. Apply for entry-level concreter jobs with residential, commercial, or civil contractors. For workplace-based training, you and your employer enter a training contract. Major’s apprentice and trainee information explains how the arrangement works.
- Complete formal study while working. An apprenticeship combines practical training with formal study through a registered training organisation. You earn while you learn and gain hands-on training in a live work environment.
- Successfully complete your assessments. Finishing the qualification and apprenticeship improves employability. You can then add machinery tickets, build industry experience, or check the contractor licensing rules in your state.
Certificate III in Concreting: Qualifications and Training
The main trade course is CPC30320 Certificate III in Concreting. It develops the skills and knowledge needed to plan work, handle materials, place reinforcement, pour and finish concrete, meet WHS requirements, and maintain concreting plant and equipment.
The qualification requires 22 units: 17 core units and 5 electives. The full packaging rules are listed on the Australian Government’s National Training Register.
This qualification reflects the role of concreters working in concreting operations. The industry supports training and assessment leading to recognised skills being completed in an actual workplace or a closely simulated workplace environment. That approach builds practical ability alongside technical knowledge.
Students learn numeracy skills and how to interpret plans. They also learn how to select materials and procedures, and how to use and maintain concreting plants. Once you complete the course, you receive a nationally recognised qualification that supports career outcomes across Australia.
Already employed and experienced in the industry? Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for workers who can provide evidence of relevant skills, qualifications or industry experience.
How Long Does Concreting Training Take?
Concreting apprenticeships and traineeships typically take 24 months, or two years. Major lists a course duration of up to 24 months. Across Australia, apprenticeship arrangements can last two to four years, depending on the state, employment type, training plan, and previous experience.
Part-time arrangements may take longer. RPL or faster competency progress may reduce the time needed.
Concreter Salary and Employment in Australia
Concreter pay depends on experience, location, project type, overtime, and award conditions.
- Apprentice concreter: Major’s apprenticeship wage guide indicates around $14–$18 per hour for early-stage construction apprentices. Check Fair Work Australia for current apprentice pay rates.
- Qualified concreter: Salaries commonly range from $70,000–$90,000 a year, while Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of about $2,209 per week.
Career and Job Opportunities
Around 44,600 concreters work across Australia, with jobs available in residential construction, commercial projects, roads, bridges, civil works, and infrastructure.
Career options can include:
- Concreter or concrete finisher
- Concrete pump operator
- Formwork concreter
- Civil construction worker
- Leading hand or site supervisor
- Concrete subcontractor or business owner
Employment Outlook in Queensland
Queensland is one of Australia’s major markets for concreters, accounting for around 20.8% of national employment in the occupation. Demand is supported by housing construction and infrastructure investment. Major projects across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, and regional Queensland also drive demand.
The Queensland Government also identifies construction as an important industry requiring skilled workers. Continued investment in housing, transport, and infrastructure is expected to support opportunities for qualified concreters and other construction trades.
What Licences Do You Need to Become a Concreter?
Every concreter needs a White Card for construction-site access. Other requirements depend on what you do and where you work:
- Trade and contractor licences vary significantly by state. In Queensland, check the QBCC concreting licence rules before contracting, supervising or operating a business.
- An employee working under a registered builder may face different requirements from someone quoting and contracting directly.
- A concrete pump operator may need the appropriate high-risk work licence for a concrete placing boom. WorkSafe Queensland publishes concrete-pumping safety guidance.
- Plant, EWP, rigging or other machinery tickets can increase employability. Employers may also request a current Verification of Competency.
Start Your Concreter Career with Major
Concreters can specialise in decorative and specialty concrete work or move into larger commercial projects. With experience, career options include concrete finisher, leading hand, concrete pump operator, concreting contractor, site supervisor, and project manager.
Explore Major’s broader building and construction courses if you want to widen your range of skills and knowledge .
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need qualifications to become a concreter in Australia?
You may enter the industry as a labourer without formal qualifications. A CPC30320 Certificate III in Concreting is often required to be recognised as a qualified concreter and may support contractor or supervisor licensing applications.
How long does a concreting apprenticeship take?
Major’s CPC30320 pathway takes up to 24 months. Concreting apprenticeships typically take two years, although arrangements across Australia can run from two to four years depending on employment, state rules, and competency progress.
What skills does a good concreter need?
Concreting takes more than physical strength. You need practical skills, sound judgement, and the ability to work well with others. Key skills include:
- Physical stamina and endurance
- Strong attention to detail
- Effective teamwork and cooperation
- Clear communication skills
- Practical numeracy and measurement
- Accurate formwork construction
- Proper reinforcement placement
- Safe concrete mixing techniques
- Effective concrete curing methods
- Smooth surface finishing skills
- Consistent site safety awareness
Can experienced concreters obtain the qualification through RPL?
Yes. RPL lets experienced workers seek credit by showing evidence of existing knowledge and competency. The registered training organisation assesses that evidence against the qualification requirements.
Can a concreter progress into management?
Yes. Concreters with strong site experience and leadership skills can advance to leading hand, site supervisor, or project manager roles. Further training and the appropriate state licence may be required.
Learn More About Construction Careers
Ready to Build Your Concreting Career?
Get practical training and work towards a nationally recognised Certificate III with Major Training. Delivery is available across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Morayfield, Ipswich, North Queensland, northern NSW and suitable employer sites.
