General Labourer
Tasks & duties
General labourers assist tradespeople in their tasks. They may do some or all of the following:
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help construct or demolish buildings
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maintain and plant gardens
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plant and care for forests
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construct scaffolding
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dig trenches and lay pipes or cables for drains and other services
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make and maintain roads, pathways or railways
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pour and finish concrete
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receive materials and goods from suppliers
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build retaining walls and fences
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perform everyday tasks on farms
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operate machinery such as mowers or concrete breakers
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maintain tools and equipment
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clean up work sites
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move equipment and materials
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manage traffic
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assist with administrative duties
Specialisations
General labourers can work in specific areas such as:
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bricklaying or paving
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building construction
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drainlaying
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farming or forestry
Skills & knowledge
General labourers need to have:
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a range of practical skills
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understanding of basic building methods and terms
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knowledge of worksite safety rules
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knowledge of correct lifting techniques
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skill using and caring for equipment
General labourers may also need to be able to operate heavy machinery or drive heavy vehicles.
Entry requirements
There are no specific requirements to become a general labourer, as skills are gained on the job.
Secondary education
Useful subjects include English, maths, woodwork and horticulture.
Training on the job
Skills are gained on the job. Some businesses have training programmes that allow labourers to become skilled in specific areas, such as driving heavy vehicles or operating heavy machinery.
Useful experience
Useful experience for general labourers includes building construction industry and farm work, and any work involving physical labour, such as road construction.
For more information, please refer to Career Services.
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