How much do construction workers earn in Australia?

How much do construction workers earn in Australia?

Construction pay can be confusing when job ads show different hourly rates, allowances and conditions.

There is no single rate for every construction worker in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the middle full-time construction worker earns $1,600 per week before tax (1). A separate ABS measure puts average weekly earnings for a full-time adult in construction at $1,985.30 (2) for regular hours. But those figures cover the whole construction industry — including licensed tradespeople and project managers who studied for years to get there.

Racking installation sits differently within that picture. It is not a certified trade, so the barrier to entry is much lower — but the base hourly rate reflects that too. What matters is the full picture: the base rate, how fast you can progress, and what else is on offer beyond the hourly number.
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Why doesn't racking pay match those headline figures?

Those industry-wide figures include a wide range of roles — including licensed tradespeople like electricians, plumbers and carpenters, who typically complete a multi-year apprenticeship or trade certificate before they can legally do the work. Project managers and site managers with formal qualifications also pull the averages up.

Racking installation isn't a certified trade. There's no apprenticeship, no trade certificate, and no years of low-paid training before you start earning a real wage. You learn on the job, and your pay grows as you build real skills and take on more responsibility — not because you've completed a formal qualification.

That's a genuine trade-off, and it's worth being upfront about. The ceiling on the base hourly rate is generally lower than a licensed trade. But so is the barrier to get started, and the time it takes before you're actually earning.
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What can affect your construction pay?

Several things can change your rate.
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The job you are doing

A new labourer, experienced installer, licensed operator, Leading Hand and Site Manager have different duties. Roles with more responsibility will usually pay more.
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Your experience and skills

Someone learning basic site tasks will not normally receive the same rate as someone who can operate equipment, lead a crew or manage a project.
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Whether you are casual or full-time

Casual workers often receive a higher hourly rate because they do not receive paid annual leave or paid sick leave. Full-time team members may have a lower hourly rate but receive paid leave and other benefits.
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The hours you work

Overtime, weekend shifts, public holidays and night work may be paid differently. The rules depend on the award, workplace agreement or contract covering your job.
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The location and project

Rates and allowances can change depending on where the work is, whether travel is required and how long the project runs. Some Melbourne projects also operate under a CFMEU Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA), where labourer and rigging classifications pay significantly more than standard rates — commonly $55–$60/hr as of early 2026, plus extra allowances (4).
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Who sets the minimum pay rate?

Many construction jobs are covered by an award. An award is a legal document that sets minimum pay rates and conditions for certain types of work.

Not every construction role is covered by the same award. Your duties and employment arrangement help determine which rules apply to you.

Your employer should tell you your hourly rate, employment type and any allowances in writing. If you are unsure whether the rate is correct, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's online Pay and Conditions Tool (3).
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How much do Racking Installers earn at BORACK?

BORACK uses a structured pay pathway. Your rate increases as you build your skills, pass the required assessments and take on more responsibility.

BORACK's updated hourly rates as of August 2026 are:

• Level 1: $33/hr
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• Level 2: $34/hr
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• Level 3: $35.50/hr
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• Level 4: $37/hr
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• Leading Hand: $39/hr
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• Supervisor: $42.50/hr
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• Site Manager: $45/hr

Level 1 to Level 4 team members also receive a $23.60 daily travel allowance.

These are BORACK's rates. They are not the standard rates for every construction or racking company in Australia.
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What could the hourly rate look like over a week?

Your weekly earnings depend on how many hours you work.

As a simple example:

• 38 regular hours at $33/hr equals $1,254 before tax
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• 38 regular hours at $37/hr equals $1,406 before tax
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• 38 regular hours at $42.50/hr equals $1,615 before tax
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• 38 regular hours at $45/hr equals $1,710 before tax

These examples do not include the daily travel allowance, Project Profit Share, overtime or other benefits. They also do not mean that every team member will work exactly 38 hours each week.

When comparing jobs, look at the full offer rather than the hourly rate alone.
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What else is included beyond the hourly rate?

The hourly rate is only part of the picture. At BORACK, team members also get:

• Project Profit Share
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• A daily travel allowance
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• A paid 30-minute break
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• Reimbursement for your scissor lift and forklift licences once you're eligible
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• Regular team events — including monthly get-togethers where BORACK covers food and drinks

None of that shows up if you're only comparing the hourly rate on a job ad. Jobs that offer a higher number on paper are usually asking for years of formal qualification first — and once you're there, it's often just that: a job. What BORACK is trying to build is different: a genuine pathway, a crew you actually know, and incentives that go beyond the hourly number.
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Is racking installation a long-term career, or a place to start?

It can be either.

Some team members build a long career in racking itself, working up through Leading Hand, Supervisor and Site Manager. Others use it as a starting point — a way to get genuine, hands-on construction experience and develop real leadership skills, like running a crew or coordinating a site, without needing a formal qualification first.

Those skills carry over. A Supervisor who has run BORACK job sites has real, transferable project and people management experience — useful whether you stay in racking, move into a different part of construction, or go somewhere else entirely.
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What should you check before accepting a construction job?

Before accepting an offer, ask:

• Is the role casual, part-time or full-time?
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• What is the base hourly rate?
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• How many hours can you reasonably expect?
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• When will overtime or higher rates apply?
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• Which allowances and benefits are included?
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• Is super paid in addition to the quoted rate?
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• Do you need to provide your own PPE, tools or transport?
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• When will your pay be reviewed?

Make sure these details are included in your written offer. It is easier to compare jobs when you know what the hourly rate includes and what you will receive on top of it.
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Ready to build your earning potential?

If you want practical work, a crew that will teach you properly and a role you can build a career out of, apply for a Racking Installer role with BORACK.

References:
(1) https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-and-industry-profiles/industries/construction
(2) https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/average-weekly-earnings-australia/latest-release
(3) https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/
(4) https://vic.cfmeu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Onsite-EBA-Rates.pdf