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How to Become A Bricklayer

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What is a Bricklayer

A bricklayer builds the walls, arches, and partitions that form the bones of homes, offices, and infrastructure across Australia. It is a hands-on trade where you can see your work take shape every single day.

Bricklayers lay bricks, blocks, and stone in mortar following detailed plans. They mix and spread mortar, align bricks in precise rows, check levels, and cut materials to fit. The work is physical, skilled, and deeply satisfying.

The job also covers repair and restoration. Many bricklayers work on heritage buildings, fixing and restoring old brickwork to its original look. This side of the trade takes creativity and a love of craftsmanship.

To become a bricklayer in Australia, you complete a four-year apprenticeship while earning a wage. You come out with the Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying (CPC33020) and a trade qualification that is recognised nationally. The construction industry needs skilled bricklayers, so the career outlook is real and solid.

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Career Outlook for Bricklayer

Bricklaying is a solid trade in Australia’s construction sector. Around 25,800 bricklayers and stonemasons are employed nationally. That is 84% in full-time work, with a median age of 39 years (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Bricklayers average 42 hours a week on the job (ABS Census, 2021).

Median full-time weekly earnings for the occupation group reached $2,317, around $120,000 a year including allowances and overtime (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). That puts bricklaying well ahead of many other trades. The most recent data shows annual employment change of -800 for the group (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). This reflects a slowdown in new residential builds. Infrastructure and restoration work continues to provide steady demand.

If you are skilled, licensed, and willing to move where the work is, the trade offers real earning potential. Experienced bricklayers can move into foreperson roles, start their own contracting business, or specialise in heritage masonry. The trade builds a career, not just a wall.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become a Bricklayer in Australia

Step 1: Finish secondary school to at least Year 10

Complete Year 10 at minimum before entering the bricklaying trade. Subjects like maths, technical drawing, and woodwork are useful. They help with measurements, blueprint reading, and understanding construction processes. Some employers and RTOs may prefer Year 12, so finishing school strengthens your options.

Step 2: Get your White Card

Before you can work on any construction site in Australia, you must hold a White Card. Complete the CPCWHS1001 (Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry) unit of competency through a registered training organisation (RTO). This usually takes one day and covers hazard identification, WHS duties, and safe work practices. The White Card is nationally recognised and does not expire.

Step 3: Complete the Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying (CPC33020) through an apprenticeship

Enrol in the Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying (CPC33020) through a four-year apprenticeship with an employer. You earn a wage while training, splitting your time between on-the-job experience and block release at a TAFE or RTO. The qualification covers mortar mixing, brick and block laying, scaffolding, heritage bricklaying, and WHS compliance. This is the nationally recognised trade qualification required for most state licensing pathways. Confirm the current code at training.gov.au before enrolling.

Step 4: Obtain your contractor licence or registration

Most states and territories require bricklayers who contract for building work to hold a licence or registration. Requirements differ by state. NSW requires a contractor licence through NSW Fair Trading. QLD requires a licence through the QBCC. VIC requires Domestic Builder registration through the VBA. In most cases, completing the CPC33020 apprenticeship satisfies the trade qualification requirement. Check your state’s relevant building authority for current requirements and fees.

Step 5: Join an industry association and build your network

Membership with Bricklayer Contractors Australia (BCA) connects you with other professionals in the trade. Industry bodies run events, training updates, and advocacy that can benefit your career. Staying connected helps you find work and keep up with code changes. Developing business skills early also pays off if you plan to go out on your own.

Step 6: Consider further qualifications for career growth

After gaining experience on the tools, you may want to move into site supervision or management. A Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) is a common next step. It takes around 12 months through a TAFE or RTO. The course covers project planning, contract administration, and site supervision. Some bricklayers also pursue a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50220. This opens the door to larger and more complex building contracts.

What does a Bricklayer do?

Each day on the job is hands-on and varied. Bricklayers start by reading the plans for the day, then prepare the site and erect scaffolding where needed. They seal foundations, spread mortar, and lay bricks in rows with care and precision. They check alignment constantly, cut bricks to shape, and repair existing structures as required. No two days are exactly the same, and the satisfaction of seeing a wall go up never gets old.

Tasks

The daily tasks of a bricklayer are physical, skilled, and rewarding. Here is what a typical day on site looks like:

  • Studying plans and specifications to determine materials, dimensions, and installation procedures.
  • Erecting and dismantling scaffolding to reach higher areas safely.
  • Sealing foundations with damp-resistant materials and spreading mortar as a base for blocks.
  • Laying bricks in rows, designs, and shapes while spreading mortar between joints.
  • Embedding blocks in mortar and removing excess for a clean finish.
  • Checking vertical and horizontal alignment at each stage of the build.
  • Cutting, shaping, and polishing stones and bricks using hand tools and machinery.
  • Repairing and maintaining brickwork, cement blocks, and related structures.
  • Designing and cutting monumental masonry and lettering in stone.
  • Constructing walls using stone slabs and large masonry block systems.

Skills for Success

Getting started in bricklaying does not need a long list of qualifications. But it does need the right skills. Attention to detail is the big one: every brick must be level and every joint clean. Physical fitness is equally important, since the work is active and outdoors, often in the heat.

You will also need basic maths for measuring and estimating, plus the ability to read a building plan. Problem-solving comes up daily on the job. You might be cutting a brick to fit an awkward angle or figuring out how to align a curved wall. Clear communication with your team and your employer keeps projects running smoothly.

Skills & Attributes

  • Attention to detail and precision in laying and aligning materials
  • Physical fitness and stamina for sustained outdoor work
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints and construction plans
  • Proficiency with hand tools, trowels, and power cutting equipment
  • Knowledge of building materials and mortar mixing
  • Strong maths skills for measurements, estimates, and calculations
  • Problem-solving and adaptability on site
  • Teamwork and clear communication with other trades
  • Time management and ability to meet deadlines
  • Understanding of workplace health and safety (WHS) standards
  • Creativity in decorative and heritage masonry work
  • Commitment to ongoing skill development and code compliance

Average Salaries

Bricklayers in Australia earn between $80,000 and $90,000 a year on average (SEEK, 2025). Median full-time weekly earnings for bricklayers and stonemasons reached $2,317, equivalent to around $120,000 annually including allowances and overtime (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, via Jobs and Skills Australia). Pay depends on experience and your state. Working as a contractor rather than an employee can also significantly lift earnings.

min $65 K

max $120 K

av $85 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.