22 Jan 2017

As far as jobs go, being a bricky isn’t exactly top of mind when people are thinking about an apprenticeship. But there is a new generation of young bricklayers emerging that understand that there’s more to bricklaying than slapping a bit of mud onto a brick. This group are fit, bright, ambitious and are focused on a successful career and an awesome lifestyle.

Bricklaying gets you an all-important qualification that can lead to becoming a registered builder. You could also be your own boss once you’re qualified and the options there are endless.

As a brickie, you get to spend a lot of your time outside and since a day of work is basically akin to a solid sesh at the gym, it’s a profession that keeps you fit, strong and healthy.  Bricklaying also involves using your grey matter so you’ll never be bored.

We’re not sure whether it’s the physical demands or the cultural associations, but ‘Straya has a problem: No one seems to want to be a bricky these days.

Stats show that our brickies are getting older, with 47% of bricklayers over the age of 40 and 24% over the age of 50. This, along with a massive increase in new housing construction, means that there are lots of opportunities for brickies in current times and there will be into the future. What this means, in simple terms, is that there’s huge career opportunities and way more cash money to be made through the trade of bricklaying. Geoff Noble, the CEO of the Australian Bricklaying and Training Foundation wrote:

“Bricklayers on average lay 300-500 bricks per day subject to weather conditions and the complexity of the job.  The current laying rate in Sydney is around $1.50 per brick but can be as high as $1.90.”

So if we take the lower numbers here, and assume a bricklayer lays 300 bricks a day at $1.50 per brick, that’s a pay rate of $450 per day before tax. This equates to $2250 per week. At the higher end of the scale, you’re looking at making over $4000 a week before tax. Pretty damn baller wages

To be fair, these are the rates in Sydney, which are the highest in the country, so not everyone is making this much. But even in other Australian cities and rural areas, bricklayers are making pretty serious money.

Apprenticeships usually take 3–4 years and apprentices typically earn $400 to $500 per week. After that, they’re equipped with a solid profession for which we have a national skills shortage. This means that for the foreseeable future, there will always be plenty of work.

Want something to show for your efforts at the end of the day?  Bricklaying gives you something to show your family and friends and say “I built that!”  You don’t get that in retail or driving a desk.

There are also extensive travel opportunities… and who doesn’t love a lil bit o’ travel-travel?  Bricklaying provides great opportunities to travel the country and the world. Bricklayers are needed EVERYWHERE so there is always a job waiting for you, coupled with a sweet experience to boot.

Between the baller wages, the job security, the strength and fitness aspect, and it’s certainly a trade worth considering. ‘Straya needs ya!

If you’re interested in becoming a bricky, or you’d like to know more about it, check out the apprenticeships offered through the Housing Industry Association (HIA).