Concreter in Australia
Civil, Formwork & FIFO
The complete guide to becoming a Concreter. From residential slabs to major civil infrastructure and high-paying FIFO formwork roles.
Overview
Concreters are the foundation of the construction industry. They pour, spread, finish, and cure concrete for everything from residential driveways to massive infrastructure projects like bridges, tunnels, and airports.
High Demand
Essential for Australia's booming civil infrastructure projects.
Formwork Pathways
Combining concreting with formwork skills unlocks huge earning potential.
Easy Entry
One of the most accessible trades to enter, often starting as a laborer.
What Does a Concreter Do?
It's physically demanding, fast-paced work where timing is everything. Tasks include:
- Pouring, spreading & screeding wet concrete
- Setting up formwork (molds) for slabs and walls
- Placing steel reinforcement (rebar & mesh)
- Operating trowel machines (helicopters) and vibe shafts
- Finishing surfaces (exposed aggregate, stencilled, smooth)
- Cutting expansion joints and sealing concrete
- Reading construction plans and checking levels
- Working safely around concrete trucks and pumps
Work Environments
Concreter Salary (2025)
While starting rates are modest, civil and formwork specialists earn impressive wages.
| Experience Level | Salary / Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Apprentice / Trainee | $16 – $28 / hr |
| Newly Qualified Concreter | $55,000 – $70,000 |
| Experienced Concreter | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Civil Construction Concreter | $90,000 – $120,000 |
| Formwork Specialist | $110,000 – $150,000 |
| FIFO Civil / Formworker | $130,000 – $180,000+ |
Pathways & Training
You can start as a labourer, but the CPC30320 – Certificate III in Concreting is the formal trade qualification. It takes about 3 years.
Start Working
Many start as labourers. Show up on time, work hard, and you'll get picked up quickly.
Study (CPC30320)
Formalize your skills at TAFE. Learn plan reading, reinforcement, and safety.
Get Tickets
Get your Excavator, Skid Steer, and EWP tickets to become more valuable.
Qualify
Become a qualified tradesperson. Move into Civil or Formwork for better pay.
Looking for a Concreting Job?
Use our free tool to search for apprenticeship and labourer positions by state.
Launch Apprenticeship Finder ToolLicences & Tickets
You don't need a trade licence to be a concreter, but operating tickets are essential for civil work.
Site Requirements
-
White Card Mandatory for all construction sites.
-
Machinery Tickets Skid Steer, Excavator, and Roller tickets are highly valued.
-
HR Truck Licence Great for civil roles where you may drive tippers.
Training Providers
CPC30320 Providers
Available at most major TAFEs across Australia.
Where are the jobs?
Civil Infrastructure
Major road, rail, and tunnel projects in NSW & VIC.
Residential Slabs
Constant work in new housing estates pouring house slabs.
Commercial
High-rise construction requiring extensive formwork and suspended slabs.
Precast
Factory-based work creating concrete panels and beams.
FIFO Concreter?
Yes, in Civil & Mining Infrastructure.
Mines are constantly building. They need concreters for processing plant foundations, wash bays, workshops, and accommodation camps. It pays extremely well.
FIFO Roles for Concreters:
- Heavy Civil Foundations
- Camp Construction (Pathways & Slabs)
- Concrete Batch Plant Operation
FIFO Salary
Is it worth it?
The Good
- Easy entry with no prior experience
- High earning potential in Civil/FIFO
- Constant demand across Australia
- Skills multiply (Formwork, Steel, Machine)
The Challenges
- Very physically demanding
- Early starts and long days
- Exposed to all weather (hot/cold/wet)
- Heavy lifting and repetitive strain
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Concreting a good job?
Yes, if you enjoy hard physical work. It offers a low barrier to entry and high earning potential if you move into civil construction or formwork.
Do I need a licence?
No, you don't need a trade licence like a plumber or electrician. However, you will need a White Card and machine tickets (Excavator/Skid Steer) are highly recommended.
Can Concreters earn over $150k?
Yes. Experienced concreters working in Civil Construction, Formwork, or on FIFO rosters regularly earn between $130k and $180k+.
How long is the training?
The Certificate III takes about 3 years, but many concreters learn on the job without a formal apprenticeship. Formal qualifications do help with career progression though.