Bricklaying pays differently to most trades once you’re qualified, because a lot of the industry works on tally rather than hourly. As an apprentice though, you’re on award wages, and these are the actual Fair Work minimums as at 1 July 2026.
What a bricklaying apprentice earns
Legal minimums for a four-year bricklaying apprenticeship in the residential sector under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), for apprenticeships started after 1 January 2014.
| Stage | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year — did not complete Year 12 | $642.53 | $16.91 |
| 1st year — completed Year 12 | $698.49 | $18.38 |
| 2nd year — did not complete Year 12 | $754.44 | $19.85 |
| 2nd year — completed Year 12 | $810.40 | $21.33 |
| 3rd year | $922.31 | $24.27 |
| 4th year | $1,090.17 | $28.69 |
Bricklayers sit slightly below carpenters on the award — roughly $12 a week in first year — because the tool allowance for the trade is set lower. The rates above already include both the industry and tool allowances.
The tally system, and why it matters later
Much of the bricklaying industry pays qualified layers per thousand bricks rather than per hour. That’s why experienced bricklayers can out-earn other trades substantially, and also why income can be inconsistent — weather, brick type and site access all affect how many you lay in a day.
As an apprentice you’re not on tally. You’re entitled to the award rate above regardless of how much you lay, and an employer can’t pay you piecework instead of your minimum. Worth knowing, because it does get suggested.
The physical side is a pay consideration
Bricklaying carries one of the higher rates of back, shoulder and knee injury in construction. That matters financially as well as physically: time off, reduced hours later in your career, and the reason many bricklayers move into supervision or contracting. Factor it in when you’re comparing the trade against others on pay alone.
What sits on top
The table covers ordinary hours only. Overtime runs at time-and-a-half for the first two hours and double time after, with weekend and public holiday penalties on top. Most on-site bricklaying apprentices also receive the daily fares and travel allowance. Commercial and civil work sits on a higher schedule than the residential rates above, and any enterprise agreement on your site overrides the award entirely.
Adult apprentices
Starting at 21 or over puts you on a higher minimum than the rates above. Bricklaying attracts a reasonable number of adult apprentices and career changers, so this applies more often here than in some trades — confirm your rate with Fair Work directly.
Your qualification
The trade qualification is CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying, which covers bricklaying, blocklaying and paving across residential, commercial and industrial work, and includes heritage and refractory bricklaying as specialisations. Refractory work — lining furnaces, kilns and industrial heat equipment — is a genuinely different income bracket and worth knowing about early.
Bricklaying isn’t licensed for employees. Contracting for yourself generally requires a trade contractor licence above a certain job value, through NSW Fair Trading, the QBCC in Queensland, the VBA in Victoria or your state’s equivalent.
How to check your exact rate
Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator with your award, sector, year and start date to confirm your legal minimum. If the numbers don’t match your payslip, the Fair Work Ombudsman helpline on 13 13 94 is free and can investigate underpayment.
FAQ
How much does a first-year bricklaying apprentice get paid?
From 1 July 2026, $642.53 a week without Year 12 or $698.49 with it, for residential work under MA000020 — $16.91 and $18.38 an hour.
Can my boss pay me per brick instead of the award rate?
No. Apprentices are entitled to the award minimum regardless of output. Tally arrangements apply to qualified bricklayers, not apprentices.
Why do bricklayers earn less than carpenters as apprentices?
The gap is small — about $12 a week in first year — and comes from a lower tool allowance built into the rate, not a lower base percentage.
Do qualified bricklayers earn well?
On tally, experienced bricklayers can earn strongly, though income varies with weather and site conditions in a way hourly trades don’t experience.
General information only — not financial or legal advice. Rates were correct at 1 July 2026 and change annually. Check the official source and your state authority before acting.
Related guides
Get one email a week with the stuff that actually matters — entitlement changes, pay updates, and the guides tradies actually bookmark. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.