what is a concreter?
As a concreter, you pour, spread and smoothen concrete for structures under construction. Since you mix the concrete, you are trained in operating various machinery at the construction site. Your primary role is to create durable concrete surfaces. That means you need to mix the materials in the correct proportions and pour and smoothen the concrete to ensure a level surface. When spreading concrete, you incorporate fresh ideas, like creating unique shapes to match the design elements.
Aside from mixing and pouring concrete, you start by assembling building elements and ensuring the foundation is adequately prepared for concreting. You also install formwork made from concrete and provide practical solutions related to building and construction work. As a qualified concreter, you work on commercial and residential structures. Aside from laying concrete on buildings, you also work on bridges, roadways and pathways. Hence, you are likely to work in various industries, from construction and manufacturing to mining and resources.
Since you perform a wide range of tasks, you need diverse skills. For instance, the role requires physical stamina to excavate foundation trenches and pour concrete on the worksite. Knowledge of mechanical tools is also handy since you use concrete mixers to mix sand, gravel, cement and water.
view concreter vacanciesaverage concreter salary
Concreters take home an average salary of $80,000 annually in Australia. The remuneration package depends on the experience level and the employer. In an entry-level position, you earn up to $70,000 per year. However, with experience and additional skills, the remuneration increases to $90,000 yearly. The highest-paid concreters usually have extensive experience and perform additional duties other than mixing sand and cement.
what factors affect the salary of a concreter?
The remuneration package of concreters depends on skills and experience. While you don’t need extensive training and educational qualifications, you require some vocational training. Hence, a concreter with vocational educational training earns a higher salary than an apprentice. The skills and competencies you possess boost your earning potential. For instance, having knowledge or experience in formwork improves your earning prospects significantly.
Most concreters work in the construction industry, but the company's size influences your remuneration package. When you work for a large company, you likely handle complex projects. The complexity of the projects and the unlimited resources increase your salary prospects. Smaller companies may not have the resources to pay higher salaries.
Want to know what you will earn as a concreter? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of concreters
Concreters work on diverse projects and can specialise in providing services to a particular industry. For instance, some concreters specialise in structural work like bridge piers, pillars and beams. As a structural concrete worker, you focus on building upright, reinforced structures for public safety. You mix the concrete and reinforce it to meet public safety specifications. You also mix concrete used in laying the foundation and arranging bricks for residential projects. Sometimes, entire houses are made of concrete, and you mix concrete poured on walls to create a safe structure.
You can also focus on commercial and residential flatwork. This involves preparing roadways, street curbs, parking lots and gutters. Your job is to mix the concrete work and incorporate unique designs to make the floors beautiful and durable for high-traffic areas.
working as a concreter
Working as a concreter involves mixing and laying concrete mixtures to build structures. If you want to become a concreter, check out the specific duties and work environments of concreters.
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concreter job description
Concreters perform the following tasks:
- laying steel reinforcing: as a concreter, you mix concrete that affects the structural integrity of a building or a structure like a bridge. Before pouring concrete bases for ramps or bridges, you place steel reinforcement to create a durable and long-lasting structure. You also install wiring mesh to keep the concrete in place and ensure it dries properly.
- mixing and pouring concrete: since concrete is made from sand, gravel, cement and water, you determine the proportions. Depending on the project, you ensure the concrete has adequate cement or gravel and add other components required. You use a concrete mixer to prepare and pour the concrete onto the surfaces. If the concrete is mixed in a different location, you use a concrete pump to pour it from the truck.
- spreading and smoothing concrete: as a concreter, you spread the concrete evenly on the surface before it dries. You use trowels or trowelling machines to smoothen and level surfaces. Aside from ensuring a level surface, you also incorporate design ideas and shapes during spreading. Adding unique shapes and decorative pieces to concrete in high-traffic areas gives it a beautiful finish.
- colouring freshly poured concrete: if the design involves the addition of colour to the concrete surfaces, you incorporate the colours to the freshly poured concrete. You can colour them using powders of different materials.
- sealing and covering concrete: it is important to take appropriate measures to prevent defects and seal the concrete to preserve its life. After pouring and levelling concrete, you seal it to improve durability and cover the surface with sand or plastic to protect the surface while the concrete sets.
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work environment
Concreters work in the construction industry, creating pathways or roadways and mixing concrete for building structures. As a concreter, you work in diverse environments depending on the project. Hence, you should expect to work in all weather conditions since most of your duties are outdoors. Aside from the weather, the role has numerous physical demands, from heavy lifting to frequent bending, making concreters prone to injuries. Ensure your employer has workers' compensation approved by Safe Work Australia that covers on-site accidents. Using concrete pumps is dangerous, so you wear protective equipment, such as masks, goggles or gumboots, to minimise health and safety risks. As a concreter, you may travel frequently since construction projects can be in different states.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include carpenters, civil engineers and construction workers. You might also be working in close proximity to construction project managers and estimators, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, architects, machine operators and bricklayers.
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work schedule
Due to the nature of your work, you likely work irregular workdays. While most concreters work during the day, the typical workday starts at 6 or 7 AM and ends around 3 or 4 PM. While most concreter jobs require working during the week, you may work weekends or after hours when a job is running on a strict deadline. Most concreter jobs are available in full-time positions or on a contract basis. However, you can also find part-time concreter roles.
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job outlook
Working as a concreter is a promising career due to the diverse industries and areas of specialisation. You can specialise in concrete walls for commercial and residential buildings or grow your skills in flatwork, working with structural engineers to create bridges, roads and parking lots. As a concreter, you start your career as an apprentice or entry-level construction worker. However, with additional skills, you can progress to other roles in construction, like becoming a bricklayer or a site supervisor.
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advantages of finding a concreter job through randstad
Finding your concreter job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a concreter is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
While it is possible to work as a concreter in Australia without a formal qualification, you require basic training through a traineeship or apprenticeship to improve your skills. To join an apprenticeship, most employers expect you to have Year 10 qualifications. Combine the apprenticeship with a Certificate III in concreting or TAFE courses in a registered training organisation (RTO). If you want a qualification that covers a wide range of construction skills, undertake a Certificate III in civil construction.
Aside from educational qualifications, you require a White Card to work on a construction site in Australia. Getting a White Card requires completion of online or face-to-face training via an RTO. If you are looking for opportunities to improve your skills, undertake a specialised course in Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA).
concreter skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a concreter include:
- physical fitness: as a concreter, your role is physically demanding, from carrying heavy loads around the construction site to spreading concrete, which involves bending and crouching. Operating a trowelling machine is also physically demanding and requires strength. Being physically fit makes it easier to complete your tasks and reduces the risk of injury.
- teamwork: you are likely to work in teams when mixing and pouring concrete to ensure a job runs on time. Having teamwork skills makes it easier to complete the tasks since every team member understands their duties.
- communication skills: as a concreter, you work alongside multiple tradespeople at a construction site. Clear communication is essential to avoid mistakes affecting the project's progress. Your communication skills help you explain tasks clearly and ensure everyone follows the safety measures.
FAQs about working as a concreter
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a concreter.
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what are the duties of a concreter?
As a concreter, you mix sand, gravel and cement and pour the concrete on work sites. You spread and shape the concrete before it dries. Most of your duties revolve around spreading concrete and polishing surfaces. You also install steel plates, door sills and steel bolts.
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how much do concreters get paid in Australia?
The typical salary of a concreter is $80,000 per year. However, the remuneration package can be higher or lower, depending on your experience and educational qualifications. The highest-paid concreters earn over $90,000 annually.
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what does concreting involve?
Concreting includes excavation work done before laying down the concrete. While it does not include major site preparation, concreters ensure site and structure stability before pouring concrete on the surfaces.
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what skills are necessary for a concreter?
As a concreter, you require technical and soft skills to excel in the role. For instance, you need familiarity with safety regulations and potential occupational hazards. You also require physical skills and manual dexterity to use various tools.
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is being a concreter a good trade?
Working as a concreter is a promising career in the construction sector as well as the mining and resources industry. You have numerous opportunities for growth and areas of specialisation. You can work on the construction of building structures, bridges and parking lots.
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how do I apply for a concreter vacancy?
Applying for a concreter job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
