Trade roles with QBuild

Interested in joining QBuild? Visit QBuild careers.

Work that matters

The work we do at QBuild is more than building and maintenance. QBuild tradespersons are amongst the first responders in supporting local communities during disasters. They are also directly shaping the next generation by mentoring and supporting apprentices while completing a range of works from maintenance services to large-scale capital projects.

We make a positive impact on the lives of Queenslanders every day. No day is the same. You will have the chance to work on a wide variety of interesting work and projects, across a variety of locations, no matter what role you’re in.

Build your career while building Queensland

There are a variety of trades to choose from:

• carpenter
• electrician
• plumber
• refrigeration mechanic
• painter.

Benefits of working for QBuild

Stability and balance

Our steady pipeline of work allows QBuild to create a supportive work environment where we work hard for Queenslanders, but work-life balance is equally valued. QBuild people have access to flexible work conditions to meet any stage of life – transitioning to retirement, growing a family or taking on additional study – we cater to our people’s needs.

Salary and allowances

We pay a competitive salary for our tradespeople, plus superannuation and allowances. On employment, your salary will be classified based on your level of skills and qualifications. Then after your probation period, you will have further opportunities for higher classification as you develop more skills or qualifications.

Your take-home pay each fortnight will include your base salary plus your Single Fortnightly Payment and any claimable allowances you are entitled to.

Base salary range

The base salary for tradespersons is between $2,609.00 to $3,490.30 per fortnight.

This is based on a full-time employee’s earnings and does not include employer superannuation contributions (12.75%) and 17.5% annual leave loading.

Single fortnightly payment

In addition to your base salary, you will receive a fortnightly allowance called a Single Fortnightly Payment (SFP), which is approximately $176.40 to $346.70 per fortnight.

Other claimable allowances

• distant work (meal and incidental)
• site
• working in the rain
• on-call and call-out
• remote work
• unpleasant conditions
• overtime meals
• weekend work
• excess kilometres
• First Aid
• motor vehicle drawing trailers
• divisional and district parities
• leading hand.

More information can be found in sections 3.9 and 3.11 Allowances and Payments in the QBuild Field Staff Certified Agreement 2022.

Earnings per year

The average tradesperson at QBuild (when combining their base salary and fixed allowances) can expect to earn between $75,188 to $100,466* per year, depending on your trade.

(*actual earnings will vary based on individual circumstances, data correct as at September 2023).

Other benefits

You will be provided with uniforms, personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools for work. You may also have access to a QBuild vehicle to perform your work.

Travel

Leave entitlements

The Queensland Government website outlines leave entitlements including annual holiday leave, personal or compassionate leave, parental leave, long service leave, and community service leave.

Superannuation

QBuild will also contribute $25 per fortnight additional employer superannuation to your QSuper or nominated superannuation fund account.

Work hours

Your standard working hours as a full-time QBuild tradesperson are 8 hours and 26 minutes per day, worked over a 9-day fortnight, between 6:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.

In working these hours, you will accrue and have access to one rostered day off (RDO) each two week period.

Women in construction

QBuild are corporate members of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) which allows all QBuild people to receive access to NAWIC events, mentoring programs, scholarships, awards, networking and professional development.

We are also committed to NAWIC’s 11% target of female participation in frontline roles and QBuild actively pursues initiatives to exceed this target on projects.

QBuild has been leading the way in Queensland to help boost levels of female participation in the building and construction industry for many years now.

In July 2021, QBuild completed a 20-apartment, five-storey social housing complex exemplar project in Cannon Hill, with a strong focus on a diverse workforce. This project saw 31% overall female participation with approximately 22% of the frontline workforce including trades like plumbing, electrical, fencing and painting.

This project was a trailblazer in the industry and is a wonderful example of how we are breaking down barriers to gender diversity. What we learn from these types of projects helps to inform us how we can encourage greater diversity in the future. By increasing the visibility of women in trades, we aim to encourage other women to take up a trade.

Testimonials

Tradepersons

Everything from social housing homes to local schools and cyclone shelters, I’ve painted it. I love the variety at QBuild where no two days are the same, and each day provides new and interesting challenges. On any given day I can be found applying a new lick of paint to government-owned buildings in the region. If you’re thinking about becoming a painter - I say, 'Go for it! It’s a great trade to be a part of and you get to witness first-hand the difference your work makes to a job, and that’s rewarding.'

Lincoln – painter, Far North Queensland team

Supervisors

I joined QBuild as an apprentice 14 years ago. During that time no two days or projects have been the same. So far it has been a rewarding career where different projects introduce you to different skills. I enjoy the variety of work and being able to work outside and use my hands.

I have delivered everything from government employee housing condition assessments at Thursday Island, to the Townsville TAFE building fit out, as well as working on school upgrades and urgent maintenance and repairs to local social housing properties.

Cheri – carpenter, leading hand, Sunshine Coast

I started out as an apprentice carpenter back in 1975 with State Works Department (now QBuild).

After I finished my apprenticeship, I progressed to leading hand and foreperson roles and spent much of my time working in remote communities in Far North Queensland (FNQ). I am currently a foreperson in a maintenance team working on social homes and government employee homes in FNQ.

I have worked on everything from maintenance to major construction projects in Cape York and throughout the Torres Strait Islands.

Don (aka Wusty) – foreperson, Far North Queensland