Duties and Tasks

Concreters may perform the following tasks:

• mix cement, gravel, sand and water to make concrete on site
• move concrete into position using a concrete pump
• place concrete into the formwork (usually temporary wood or steel moulds), making sure that it is spread and levelled, then compacted using vibrators
• operate paving and trowelling machines to float, trowel and polish the concrete surface
• create different surface textures by tamping, smoothing and shaping the concrete surface with a variety of hand tools
• cut joints into hardened concrete
• mix and apply pigments when a coloured surface is required
• dig foundation trenches if working on residential or small commercial projects.

Specialisations

Concreters may specialise as concrete finishers or concrete slab layers. There are large differences in the work done by concreters working on high-rise buildings and those working on smaller residential and commercial buildings.

Work Conditions

For most jobs, concrete is mixed at a pre-mix concrete supplier's factory and delivered to the site in a pre-mix concrete truck.

Concreters usually work outside on construction sites which may be dusty and noisy. Much of their time is spent standing or kneeling and they may also have to work at heights or underground in tunnels. Concreters may travel from job to job and usually begin work very early in the morning.

There is a growing industry in pre-cast concrete where concrete elements are cast and cured in factories and then transported to the site for use.

Personal Requirements

• physically fit
• able to lift heavy objects
• enjoy practical work
• enjoy outdoor work.

Related Industries

Construction Services

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Concreters

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Concreters (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Work Opportunities websites

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