Women

Choosing a career in construction opens you up to a world of opportunity.

Stephanie works as a Project Manager for Turner and Townsend at the North Sydney Public School redevelopment. She is standing on site in hi-vis and a helmet, smiling at the camera with a bulldozer in the background.

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A team of construction workers are standing together around a bulldozer

I want to learn more about the construction industry

Why choose a career in construction

Construction is a large growth industry that employs more than 1.1 million people in Australia. There are a diverse range of career opportunities available in the construction sector that you can discover on this page. If you have some of the following qualities, an exciting career in construction may be your best option:

  • open to learning
  • mathematics
  • problem-solving skills
  • communication and reading skills
  • technology skills
  • interested in creating things with your hands
  • enjoy working in a team and being proactive.

There has never been a better time to learn new skills and start your career in construction with free and subsidised trade and training courses available through TAFE NSW, Skills NSW and Smart and Skilled.  

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What types of construction roles are available?

With the massive growth in infrastructure in Australia, there are many rewarding careers available. Some roles in the construction industry include:

  • Electrician
  • Engineering manager 
  • Civil engineer 
  • Painter 
  • Cabinet maker 
  • Bricklayer 
  • Scaffolder 
  • Carpenter
  • Plant operators
  • Contract administrator
  • Building designer
  • Project manager
  • Project director
  • Site supervisor
  • Environmental designer and many more!

For more detail on specific occupations, career paths and qualification requirements for roles, head to the Careers NSW website or Women Building Australia.

Find the right career path for you

Explore the wide range of training opportunities and careers available to you!

I’m interested in changing my career to work in construction

Considering a new career path? A career in construction is a great option as one of Australia’s largest growing industries. 

Pursuing an apprenticeship is your first step to getting your foot in the door. An apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to complete your qualifications while being able to work in the related job and get paid!

I'm interested in an apprenticeship

What is an apprenticeship? 

An apprenticeship is a paid job where you can learn and gain valuable on the job experience. Along with on-the-job training, you will also spend at least 20% of your working hours completing classroom-based learning with a university or training provider to become a qualified trades person, setting you up with a career for life. Apprenticeships last around three to four years.

Find out more about fee-free apprenticeships 

Discover fee-free training courses in construction and related fields at Skills NSW -  Built for Women

JobTrainer provides subsidised training to gain skills in Australia’s growing industries. Explore the courses now at Skills NSW - NSW JobTrainer 

Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age, offering opportunities to learn new skills. Find out more at Australian Apprenticeships

I'm interested in a traineeship

What is a traineeship? 

A traineeship is paid on-the-job practical training with an employer, where you get to train under a supervisor and learn about the industry and job that you're in. A traineeship lasts around one to three years.

Discover Fee-free traineeships

I'm interested in a job
I'm interested in upskilling
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Woman on a construction site wearing hi-vis and wearing a hard hat.

Find out more about what construction is, what types of roles are available and what can be in it for you.

 

Learn more here

I work in the construction industry

Explore resources designed to assist women working in the construction industry. 

I want to take the next step in my career

Are you looking to take the next step in your career but unsure how to go about it?

A helpful first step is having a conversation with your employer about wanting to progress in career.

Having a plan that maps out what you want to do and how to get there, as well as setting achievable goals, will help refine your thinking.

Below are services to help you take the next step:

Skills NSW

Careers NSW

Your Career

I work for NSW (ideal for regional workers)

I want to upskill or am interested in a new profession within construction

Explore these resources if you are looking to learn new construction-based skills or are interested in a new profession within construction.

Built for Women

Women Building Australia

TAFE NSW

Smart and Skilled

Or book a meeting with a Skills Hub Specialist to help find the best fee-free training to improve your skills.

I want to connect with women working in construction

Joining a community of like-minded women working construction is great for networking, learning about job and career opportunities, and exposure to the different areas of construction.

National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)

Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen

Florence Magazine

I’m experiencing bullying, discrimination or harassment at work

There is no place for bullying, discrimination, or harassment in the construction industry.

Learn more about what you can do to identify, report and stop poor workplace conduct:

Download the Speak Up Save Lives SafeWork app to anonymously raise safety concerns and inappropriate behaviour at your workplace.

Call SafeWork on 13 10 50

Visit the SafeWork website.

I want to speak with someone about my career

Whether you are unsure about your next career move or have a specific career in mind, you can speak to a careers practitioner to access quality careers guidance.

If you have a career in mind related to a specific industry, you can speak to an industry expert to learn more.

Book an appointment with a careers practitioner or industry expert.

I’d like to share my experiences working in construction

Contact industry@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au if you would like to share your experiences working in the construction industry on the Women’s Stories page.

A woman is standing on a construction site smiling at the camera

Contact us

If this isn’t quite what you’re after, contact the Women in Construction project team.

Alice's Story

Alice works as a Graduate Site Engineer at the Randwick Campus Redevelopment. She started her career in the construction industry by studying Civil Engineering and Commerce at the University of New South Wales. We asked Alice questions about her pathway into the construction industry and experiences working on site.

Jessica's Story

Jessica works as a Project Engineer at the Randwick Campus Redevelopment. She started her career in the construction industry by studying Civil Engineering with Honours at the University of Wollongong. We asked Jessica questions about her pathway into the construction industry and experiences working on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the construction industry on this page.

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