Concreting sits at the bottom of the construction award band, and the reason has nothing to do with how hard the work is. Here are the actual Fair Work minimums as at 1 July 2026, and an honest look at what the trade offers.
What a concreting apprentice earns
Legal minimums for a four-year apprenticeship in the residential sector under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), for apprenticeships started after 1 January 2014. Concreting falls into the award’s general trades band.
| Stage | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year — did not complete Year 12 | $613.27 | $16.14 |
| 1st year — completed Year 12 | $669.23 | $17.61 |
| 2nd year — did not complete Year 12 | $725.18 | $19.08 |
| 2nd year — completed Year 12 | $781.14 | $20.56 |
| 3rd year | $893.05 | $23.50 |
| 4th year | $1,060.91 | $27.92 |
That’s about $41 a week below a carpenter in first year. The gap is the tool allowance built into the rate — concreting requires less personally owned kit than the tool-heavy trades. The base percentage of the qualified rate is identical.
Overtime is a bigger part of the pay than the table suggests
This matters more in concreting than in almost any other trade. A pour can’t be paused. Once concrete is on site you finish it, which means early starts to beat the heat, late finishes when a pour runs long, and weekend work when the schedule demands it.
Overtime runs at time-and-a-half for the first two hours and double time after, with Saturday and Sunday penalties on top. For a lot of concreting apprentices, actual take-home sits meaningfully above the base table because of it. That’s genuine extra money, but it’s earned through unsociable hours rather than handed over.
Weather runs your calendar
Rain stops pours and heat brings starts forward. Concreting has more schedule volatility than most trades, which affects both hours and consistency of income once you’re contracting. As an employed apprentice you’re on your weekly rate regardless, but it’s worth understanding the rhythm of the trade before committing.
Silica and manual handling
Cutting and grinding cured concrete generates respirable crystalline silica, and Australia’s exposure rules tightened considerably in recent years. Wet cutting and on-tool dust extraction are legal obligations on your employer. The trade is also heavy on the back and knees — screeding and finishing are sustained bent-over work.
Where concreting goes after you qualify
Decorative and polished concrete, exposed aggregate and formwork specialisation all pay above standard slab work. Civil and infrastructure concreting sits on a higher award schedule than the residential rates above, and large civil projects are frequently covered by enterprise agreements that pay well beyond award minimums.
Your qualification
The trade qualification is CPC30320 Certificate III in Concreting, covering placement, screeding, finishing, formwork basics and decorative finishes. Concreting is generally not a licensed trade for employees, though contracting above certain job values requires a licence in most states.
How to check your exact rate
Run your award, sector, year and start date through the Fair Work Pay Calculator. Given how much of concreting pay comes from overtime and penalties, check those entitlements too. The Fair Work Ombudsman helpline is 13 13 94.
FAQ
How much does a first-year concreting apprentice get paid?
From 1 July 2026, $613.27 a week without Year 12 or $669.23 with it, for residential work under MA000020 — $16.14 and $17.61 an hour.
Why is concreting the lowest paid construction apprenticeship?
On base rate, because of a lower tool allowance. In practice the gap often closes or reverses once overtime and weekend penalties are counted.
Do concreters get paid for early starts?
Work outside ordinary hours attracts overtime or shift loading depending on how it’s rostered. Early starts shouldn’t simply be absorbed into your normal rate.
Is concreting a licensed trade?
Not for employees. Contracting for yourself generally requires a licence above a job-value threshold that varies by state.
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.
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