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FREE JOB DESCRIPTIONS

100% free construction job description templates

Complete job description templates for Australian construction businesses. Covering labourers, trades, high-risk workers and supervisors. Aligned with the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. 100% free, fully editable and ready to download.

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These templates are designed to reflect Australian workplace standards and construction industry practices at the time of publication. They are provided as a general guide only and do not constitute legal advice. You should review and tailor each template to suit your business, project type, licensing requirements, modern award, enterprise agreement and specific requirements. Always verify licence requirements with your state regulator. For complex situations, seek independent legal or HR advice. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.

Construction job descriptions for Australian businesses

The construction industry is one of Australia’s largest employers, with over one million workers across residential, commercial, civil and infrastructure projects. From labourers to site supervisors, the industry requires clear role definitions to ensure safety, compliance and productivity.

Most on-site construction workers are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), which sets minimum pay rates, allowances, and conditions based on classification levels. Many roles also require specific licences including White Cards and High Risk Work Licences.

These templates provide compliant, industry-standard job descriptions that you can customise for your construction business. Each template includes duties, required skills, licensing requirements, and award classification guidance — then pair them with construction rostering software once your team is hired.

Construction workers on building site

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Click any role to view the full template and download as a PDF

TRADESKILLED

Concreter

Trade role placing, finishing and curing concrete including surface preparation, vibrating, screeding and trowelling.

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LABOURINGENTRY-LEVEL

Construction labourer

Entry-level role assisting tradespeople with manual tasks, material handling, site cleaning and general labour duties.

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HIGH-RISKLICENSED

Dogman

Licensed role directing crane operations using signals, slinging loads, and ensuring safe lifting procedures.

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TRADESKILLED

Formworker

Skilled trade role constructing timber and steel formwork for concrete structures, reading plans and working with concrete teams.

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HIGH-RISKLICENSED

Rigger

Specialist role setting up rigging equipment, calculating loads, selecting lifting gear and coordinating crane operations.

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HIGH-RISKLICENSED

Scaffolder

High-risk work role erecting and dismantling scaffolding systems, conducting inspections and ensuring safe access platforms.

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ADMINSUPPORT

Site assistant

Administrative and operational support role managing documentation, deliveries, contractor coordination and site records.

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MANAGEMENTSUPERVISION

Site supervisor

Leadership role managing daily site operations, coordinating teams, ensuring safety compliance and quality standards.

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SUPPORTINVENTORY

Tool store attendant

Support role managing tool inventory, issuing equipment, coordinating maintenance and maintaining accurate records.

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SAFETYLICENSED

Traffic controller

Safety-critical role directing traffic around construction zones, implementing traffic management plans and ensuring safe access.

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What's included in these templates?

Every construction job description template includes

Detailed duties and responsibilities
Required skills and attributes
Licensing and certification requirements
Award classification guidance
Working conditions and physical demands
Safety and PPE requirements

All templates are fully editable and designed for Australian construction industry compliance.

Who should use these templates?

These job descriptions are designed for Australian construction businesses

Residential builders
Commercial construction
Civil contractors
Trade contractors
Labour hire
Infrastructure

Award coverage for construction workers

Most on-site construction workers are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), the primary award covering employees performing on-site building and construction work. This includes labourers, trades assistants, operators, tradespeople and supervisors working on residential, commercial and civil construction projects. The award sets minimum pay rates, site allowances, travel allowances, tool allowances and conditions for construction employees across CW1–CW8 classification levels.

The Building and Construction Award classifies employees into CW (Construction Worker) levels based on skills, qualifications and responsibilities: CW1 is a new entrant with no construction experience or qualifications; CW2 is a labourer with some experience or basic plant operation; CW3 is an experienced labourer or tradesperson’s assistant with additional skills; CW4 is an operator of specific plant or holder of a trade certificate; and CW5–CW8 cover qualified tradespeople, leading hands and supervisors.

Licensing is central to construction compliance. Every worker requires a White Card (General Construction Induction) before they can work on a construction site, and they must carry it on site at all times. Specific roles require High Risk Work Licences for scaffolding (SB/SI/SA), rigging (RB/RI/RA), dogging (DG), crane operation (various classes) and forklift operation (LF). Employers must verify licence validity before workers commence and maintain records of all certifications and training. Use award interpretation software to calculate accurate pay rates including allowances.

Simplify construction staff rostering and payroll

Once you've hired your team, manage them efficiently with RosterElf. Handle complex multi-site rosters, calculate award rates and allowances automatically, track licences and certifications, and simplify timesheets — all in one platform built for Australian construction businesses.

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FAQ

Construction job description FAQ

  • A construction job description sets out the duties, required skills, licensing and working conditions for a role on a building or civil site — such as a labourer, scaffolder, rigger or site supervisor. A good one also notes the employment type, the applicable modern award and any mandatory certificates (like a White Card or High Risk Work Licence). Our 10 free templates give you a compliant, Australia-specific starting point for each common construction role.

  • We provide 10 free construction job description templates covering labourers, site assistants, traffic controllers, scaffolders, riggers, dogmen, formworkers, concreters, site supervisors and tool store attendants. All templates include duties, skills, qualifications, and award classifications aligned with Australian construction industry standards.

  • Yes, construction roles vary significantly in duties, licensing requirements and skills needed. A scaffolder requires different high-risk work licences than a rigger or dogman. Our templates are tailored for each specific role while maintaining consistency with the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020.

  • Yes, all templates are fully editable. You should adjust duties to match your specific projects (residential, commercial, civil), add site-specific requirements, and tailor qualifications to your needs. The templates provide a compliant foundation to build from.

  • Most on-site construction workers are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020). This award covers employees performing on-site building and construction work. Some specialised roles may fall under other awards depending on the specific work performed.