Do you feel at ease working at heights with bricks, stones, and concrete? Then you could be a good fit for a bricklayer job in Australia. Bricklayers review construction designs and specifications, take measurements and create a range of buildings using brick and blockwork. They place bricks, concrete blocks, and pre-cut stones to build and restore walls, foundations, buildings, partitions, internal and exterior walls, cemented areas, and other constructions.
This blog explains How to Become a Professional Bricklayer in Australia, the function of a bricklayer, and the certifications and actions required to pursue this vocation. You’ll also discover about their salaries, working environment, employment prospects, and career options.
Bricklaying is a concrete, gratifying, and hands-on job where a bricklayer plays an important role in the construction of a wide range of structures for both residential dwellings and commercial buildings. They shape stones, bricks, and concrete and utilise cement and mortar to create and repair a range of architectural structures.
A bricklayer typically lay between 300 and 500 bricks every day, depending on the weather and the complexity of the job. They also occasionally undertake decorative work, which is installing colours or patterns in walls, structures, floors, or archways.
On the working site, bricklayers typically work in teams with other construction experts.
A bricklayer uses mortar to create and repair complete brick construction, veneer construction, and other buildings using concrete blocks, clay bricks, and other building materials.
● Determine the proper material, construction material dimensions, and installation processes to undertake manual bricklaying work based on building designs and requirements.
● Cut, shape, and refine blocks, bricks, and stones to fit asymmetrical areas using hand tools or brick cutting machines.
● Use mortar as a foundation and binding agent to connect bricks in a variety of rows, forms, and patterns.
● Apply layers of mortar between joints and remove surplus mortar
● Use water-resistant materials to seal foundations
● Repair and maintain cement blocks, cement bricks, clay bricks, and other structures as needed.
● Putting up scaffolding (as per the state-level licence requirements).
● Carry out ornate brickwork and construct arches
● Verifies the horizontal and vertical alignment of blocks and bricks
● Constructs window and door frames
Bricklaying is physically difficult work that demands a high level of stamina and athleticism. As a bricklayer must read the building plan and specifications before installing the bricks and blocks, prospective bricklayers must also have high technical aptitude and interpretation abilities to correctly grasp specs and plans.
Bricklayers must also have strong hand-eye coordination, which allows them to do their tasks with higher accuracy and in less time. Here is a comprehensive list of the most sought-after talents and qualities for a successful bricklayer job:
● Knowledge of construction and building
● Enjoy doing practical hands-on work
● Knowledge of safety rules and standards
● Detail-oriented
● Precision
● Flexibility in work and workplace
● Physical strength
● Technical aptitude
● Good interpretation skills
● Good hand-eye coordination
● Patience
● Able to work well under pressure
● Finish your tenth-grade schooling.
● Earn a Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying.
● Complete construction induction training and obtain a Construction Induction Card from a Registered Training Organization.
● Accreditation is required in several Australian states and territories for bricklayers. So, check with your state’s building authority to see if there are any additional criteria to operate as a Bricklayer.
From preparing bricks to strengthening and repairing building structures, bricklayers oversee the entire process from start to finish. So, here are the methods that will assist you in creating a solid foundation in your bricklaying career:
In Australia, it is required to hold a Construction Induction Card (CIC) to work in the construction business.
As a result, as a bricklayer, you must get safety induction training from a registered training company certified by the WorkSafe Division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation, and Safety and obtain a CIC card.
Most Australian jurisdictions require bricklayers to have a Certificate III in Bricklaying and BlockLaying.
The bricklayer course prepares students to work with concrete blocks, clay bricks, and mortar, allowing them to pursue a rewarding career in a booming profession.
You will be able to earn money while learning job-specific skills. The curriculum also allows students to attend both classroom and practical sessions at the same time.
The next step is to apply for a bricklaying licence if you are qualified and have a CIC card. As the criteria for bricklaying licences differ from state to state, aspiring bricklayers should verify with the building commission of the state where they intend to work. Obtaining the proper bricklaying contractor licence will allow you to work on building and construction projects while adhering to state-level licencing requirements.
A bricklayer, if qualified, can work in a variety of situations, including housing, civil, and commercial building sites.
Bricklayers have the option of working as full-time workers, self-employed, or on a subcontract basis with general building contractors or bricklaying companies. The majority of bricklayers are employed in Western Australia, according to the Job Outlook website.
As you gain expertise, you may be able to rise to supervisory, professional building, and managerial responsibilities in the construction business, such as:
● Construction estimator
● Construction supervisor
● Construction inspector
● Registered builder
● Project manager
An experienced bricklayer can advance their career in the building and construction business by focusing on the following areas:
● Arch builder
● Chimney builder
● Tuck pointer
● Retort Setter (Bricklaying)
● Refractory Bricklayer
Brick and block are essential components of every construction or building project.
Given Australia’s population growth and economic expansion, there will always be employment for bricklayers in new home projects, civil tasks, and commercial structures in practically every state.
The Government’s Job Outlook website predicts steady future development in the bricklaying industry, ensuring the ongoing need for bricklayers across Australia.
A certified bricklayer might find a lot of career options and room for advancement in this industry by completing suitable courses and obtaining work experience.
Skills Australia Institute (RTO Number 52010 | CRICOS Code 03548F) is one of the top colleges in Perth Australia to learn a bricklaying certificate course. SAI offers a blocklaying course to assist you further your career in the construction industry.
After completing this course, you will receive a Certificate III. This qualification reflects the trade qualified role of a bricklayer, block layer, or paver who may be responsible for heritage bricklaying, refractory bricklaying, bricklaying, block laying, and paving work in residential, industrial, and commercial contexts, in both existing and new constructions.
The bricklaying, block laying, and paving industries firmly believe that training and assessment leading to skill recognition must take place in a genuine or closely reproduced workplace setting, and this qualification demands that all units of competency be given and assessed in this context.
State licencing, legislative, regulatory, and certification requirements differ. To confirm such criteria, relevant state and territorial regulatory agencies should be informed.
Students who complete the CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying will be able to work in the following positions:
● Bricklayer
● Blocklayer
● Paver
The Skills Australian Institute is an excellent place to learn Bricklayers from the best experts. These sectors are growing regularly and will present an opportunity for its members to attain more success in the future as a consequence of societal advancements and their remarkable abilities.