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How to Become A Concreter

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What is a Concreter

A career as a Concreter is perfect for those who love hands-on work. You will see the results of your effort each day. Concreters pour, level, and finish concrete for floors, footpaths, bridges, and building foundations. They are an essential part of Australia’s construction industry.

On a typical day, you will erect formwork, lay steel reinforcing, and pour concrete. You will use screeds, trowels, and trowelling machines to create smooth, level surfaces. You will also tamp and seal the concrete to ensure it sets correctly and looks great.

You do not need a formal qualification to get started. Completing the Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30320) at a TAFE or RTO gives you a real edge. It takes around 3 years and sets you up for contractor licensing later on.

About 44,600 concreters work across Australia right now, and the trade is growing (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Full-time pay averages around $115,000 a year. It is a well-paid, hands-on trade with plenty of work on offer.

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Career Outlook for Concreter

Concreters have strong job prospects in Australia right now. About 44,600 people work in the trade, with job growth of around 3,200 in the past year (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Most work full-time, averaging 45 hours a week. The median age is just 35 years.

Pay is good and grows with experience. Median full-time weekly earnings are $2,209 (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). That works out to about $115,000 a year. Entry-level concreters earn from around $75,000, with skilled workers reaching $130,000 or more.

Demand for concreters keeps growing. Home building, roads, and commercial projects all need skilled tradespeople. Getting the Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30320) boosts your chances and opens the door to a contractor licence.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become a Concreter

Step 1: Complete General Construction Induction Training (White Card)

Get your White Card before setting foot on any Australian construction site. Complete a General Construction Induction Training course (CPCWHS1001) at an accredited RTO. The course takes around half a day and is available online or in person. It is a legal requirement for all construction workers.

Step 2: Complete the Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30320)

Complete the Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30320) at a TAFE or RTO. This course takes up to 3 years full-time and covers pouring, formwork, finishing, and site safety. It is the key credential for concreters and needed for a contractor licence in most states. Confirm the code on training.gov.au before enrolling.

Step 3: Gain Experience Through an Apprenticeship or Entry-Level Role

Apply for a concreting apprenticeship with a construction company or concreting contractor. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with formal study, typically over 3 years. If no apprenticeship is available, start as a labourer on concrete jobs and build your skills from there.

Step 4: Apply for a Contractor Licence

To work as an independent concreter, you need a licence from your state or territory authority. In NSW, apply through NSW Fair Trading. In Queensland, apply through the QBCC. In Victoria, register with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Licences typically require the CPC30320 and proof of work experience.

Step 5: Build Specialist Skills

Experienced concreters can branch into decorative concrete, exposed aggregate, or structural formwork. These skills boost the value of your work and can lead to higher-paying contracts. Check training.gov.au for short courses and unit codes that match your area of interest.

What does a Concreter do?

A concreter’s day is busy, physical, and satisfying. It starts with setting up formwork and laying steel reinforcing to prepare the pour. Then comes the main event: pouring, spreading, and levelling the concrete using screeds and trowels. Once down, you tamp and smooth the surface to the right texture and finish. You work as a team all day, adapt to site conditions, and keep your tools in good shape. Every job leaves something you can point to and say: I built that.

Tasks

Concreters work outdoors on busy construction sites every day. They build structures that last decades, from driveways and paths to bridges and commercial floors. Here is what a typical day on the tools looks like.

  • Erecting concrete formwork: building the moulds that shape the pour.
  • Laying steel reinforcing: placing steel bars or mesh to strengthen the structure.
  • Pouring concrete: mixing and placing concrete into the prepared formwork.
  • Spreading and levelling: using screeds and templates to create a flat, even surface.
  • Tamping and smoothing: compacting the concrete and finishing for a neat result.
  • Sealing and curing: covering the concrete while it sets for the best outcome.
  • Reading site plans: understanding drawings and specs to get the job done right.
  • Working with the team: communicating with builders and other tradespeople on site.

Skills for Success

To do well as a concreter, you need physical strength and the stamina to keep going all day. You also need a sharp eye for detail, since concrete must be smooth, level, and set to spec. These two things, fitness and precision, sit at the heart of the trade.

Teamwork and communication are important too. You will work alongside builders, engineers, and other trades every day. Basic maths helps with measuring and mixing, while good safety habits protect you and your team. The Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30320) gives you all these skills in a structured, nationally recognised program.

Skills & Attributes

  • Physical fitness and stamina for outdoor manual work
  • Attention to detail when pouring and finishing concrete
  • Ability to read and follow site plans
  • Teamwork and communication on busy construction sites
  • Basic maths for measuring and estimating quantities
  • Knowledge of safe work practices and WHS regulations
  • Skill with hand tools, power tools, and trowelling machines
  • Problem-solving when site conditions change
  • Time management to meet project deadlines
  • Ability to work in varied weather and outdoor conditions

Average Salaries

Concreters in Australia earn a median of $2,209 per week full-time (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). That works out to about $115,000 a year. Entry-level roles start from around $75,000. Skilled concreters can earn $130,000 or more based on location and specialty work.

min $75 K

max $130 K

av $105 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.