What is construction management?

Building and construction management is the planning, executing, and directing of construction projects, including small and large-scale building, and engineering projects. In 2019 construction accounted for 9% of all Australian jobs, making it one of the fastest-growing and largest industries.

The construction industry’s vast scale provides extensive management opportunities. Within the industry, the work ranges broadly between commercial, such as hotels and large office buildings, and residential development.

Managing building and construction projects is one of the highest paying roles in Australia, mostly due to the skill level, job responsibilities and challenges that come with managing any project. There are many entry-level construction management roles that skilled construction workers can find lucrative as they look to progress their career, away from tools but still in an exciting industry. Entry-level roles can include contract administrators, site managers, and building estimators.

In both entry-level and senior-level construction management positions, you will be looking after multiple teams of labourers and a variety of stakeholder groups, all whilst balancing budgets, estimates, contracts, costs, timelines and resources.

SKILLS THAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR

Employers are looking for professionals with a good work ethic, problem-solving skills and individuals who are organised, efficient and can keep to strict deadlines. People skills are a must in this career, as construction managers are dealing with different stakeholders every day. The ability to delegate effectively is crucial to managing work teams, and employers highly value professionals who are proactive in planning, communicating and executing tasks.

HARD SKILLS

  • Numerical and analytical skills
  • Procedural knowledge
  • Proficient in project management technology
  • Writing and documentation management skills

SOFT SKILLS

  • Ability to prioritise
  • Problem solving skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Ability to delegate effectively and efficiently

TRAITS

  • Adaptable
  • Motivating
  • Logical reasoning
  • Calm under pressure
  • Continually seeking improvement

Which pathway is best for me?

There are many pathways into a construction management role that may suit you depending on your career goals and past experience. Whether you’re ready to get off the tools, or you enjoy working on-site but want to work in a senior position, there is something for everyone. 

Find out what building and construction management positions are best suited for you. 

Contract Administrator v Building Estimator 

These specialist positions are perfect for those with experience working in construction who may have yet to take on managerial roles. While both these jobs may spend some time at job sites, they’re a perfect way to get off the tools with varied workdays filled with a range of responsibilities focused off-site. 

Site Manager v Registered Builder

For those ready to take a step into a higher-level construction position, becoming a Site Manager or Builder could be for you. While both of these roles are found on-site, a Site Manager can enjoy an ‘off-the-tools’ approach to work, whereas builders still work directly with them. Both need a good understanding of how a construction site operates, and many years of experience working on one to be successful in these positions. 

Project Coordinator v Construction Manager

Moving into senior construction management positions, with experience and a Diploma qualification you can enjoy roles such as Construction Project Manager or Construction Manager. While both will see you working on and off-site and managing teams and deadlines, they have some key differences in workload and responsibilities. 

JOB ROLES

Contract Administrator

Average Salary
$110,000

A Contract Administrator oversees the planning, negotiation, and delivery of contracts on construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that contracts are properly drafted and executed by both parties.

Builder

Average Salary
$81,000

A builder works on commercial and industrial projects to complete new builds, renovations and demolitions. Builders carry out specific tasks relating to the construction of buildings, including physical labour, operating machinery, and using tools.

Health And Safety Manager

Average Salary
$117,000

Health and Safety Managers are responsible for managing all of a business’s WHS requirements on behalf of an employer. They ensure that the workplace complies with all relevant WHS laws. This role requires a higher level of technical knowledge and responsibility than a Work Health Safety Advisor, and often are responsible for more employees and departments within a larger organisation.

Health And Safety Advisor

Average Salary
$85,000

A Health and Safety Advisor is responsible for advising management on any workplace health and safety issues that may arise, either existing or potential future risks. They identify risks within the business, manage all safety issues, train staff and communicate with internal and external stakeholders about improving the safety standards within the organisation.

Estimating Manager

Average Salary
$125,000

This role is often for professionals looking to progress from a construction management role into a more strategic management role within an organisation. As one of the most important aspects of a project is cost and meeting budget requirements, estimating managers are responsible for project cost estimation and managing the financial side of construction projects.

Construction Manager

Average Salary
$165,000

Construction Managers oversee and manage multiple functions within the construction process, including people and budget management, policy creation and documentation and stakeholder management. This role has lots of responsibilities over a variety of areas and requires excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.

Construction Foreman

Average Salary
$135,000

Foremen work alongside or under the site supervisor to manage one, two, or several work teams. This is more of a people management position, providing correct documentation and leadership support to employees.

Construction Project Manager

Average Salary
$125,000

Construction Project Managers oversee and manage multiple functions specifically for large-scale construction projects that require a lot of organisation and planning. CPMs are responsible for people and budget management, policy creation and documentation and stakeholder management. This role has a lot of responsibilities over a variety of areas and requires excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.

Health And Safety Officer

Average Salary
$69,000

Health and Safety Officers are responsible for implementing and improving safety systems within an organisation. They are responsible for identifying risks and hazards and putting the right processes and controls in place to remove, mitigate or reduce risk to employees. Depending on the size of the organisation, Health and Safety Officers may have a different primary role within the business and have WHS responsibilities on top of that role.

Site Supervisor

Average Salary
$100,000

Supervisors work underneath the Construction Manager or Construction Project Management team and oversee the general day-to-day management of the worksite’s people, processes and operations to ensure the site is operating effectively and efficiently.

Work Health & Safety Coordinator

Average Salary
$72,000

A Work Health and Safety Coordinator ensures all OHS guidelines are followed within a workplace and are usually responsible for providing operational assistance and advice to the organisation regarding the day-to-day management of WHS risks. Depending on the size of the organisation, this job title is similar and interchangeable to WHS Officer and Health Safety Advisor job titles, however in larger organisations there may be multiple WHS Coordinators working within a team under the management of a Health and Safety Manager.

Contract Administrator

Average Salary
$110,000

A Contract Administrator oversees the planning, negotiation, and delivery of contracts on construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that contracts are properly drafted and executed by both parties.

Builder

Average Salary
$81,000

A builder works on commercial and industrial projects to complete new builds, renovations and demolitions. Builders carry out specific tasks relating to the construction of buildings, including physical labour, operating machinery, and using tools.

Health And Safety Manager

Average Salary
$117,000

Health and Safety Managers are responsible for managing all of a business’s WHS requirements on behalf of an employer. They ensure that the workplace complies with all relevant WHS laws. This role requires a higher level of technical knowledge and responsibility than a Work Health Safety Advisor, and often are responsible for more employees and departments within a larger organisation.

Health And Safety Advisor

Average Salary
$85,000

A Health and Safety Advisor is responsible for advising management on any workplace health and safety issues that may arise, either existing or potential future risks. They identify risks within the business, manage all safety issues, train staff and communicate with internal and external stakeholders about improving the safety standards within the organisation.

Estimating Manager

Average Salary
$125,000

This role is often for professionals looking to progress from a construction management role into a more strategic management role within an organisation. As one of the most important aspects of a project is cost and meeting budget requirements, estimating managers are responsible for project cost estimation and managing the financial side of construction projects.

Construction Manager

Average Salary
$165,000

Construction Managers oversee and manage multiple functions within the construction process, including people and budget management, policy creation and documentation and stakeholder management. This role has lots of responsibilities over a variety of areas and requires excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.

Construction Foreman

Average Salary
$135,000

Foremen work alongside or under the site supervisor to manage one, two, or several work teams. This is more of a people management position, providing correct documentation and leadership support to employees.

Construction Project Manager

Average Salary
$125,000

Construction Project Managers oversee and manage multiple functions specifically for large-scale construction projects that require a lot of organisation and planning. CPMs are responsible for people and budget management, policy creation and documentation and stakeholder management. This role has a lot of responsibilities over a variety of areas and requires excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.

Health And Safety Officer

Average Salary
$69,000

Health and Safety Officers are responsible for implementing and improving safety systems within an organisation. They are responsible for identifying risks and hazards and putting the right processes and controls in place to remove, mitigate or reduce risk to employees. Depending on the size of the organisation, Health and Safety Officers may have a different primary role within the business and have WHS responsibilities on top of that role.

Site Supervisor

Average Salary
$100,000

Supervisors work underneath the Construction Manager or Construction Project Management team and oversee the general day-to-day management of the worksite’s people, processes and operations to ensure the site is operating effectively and efficiently.

Work Health & Safety Coordinator

Average Salary
$72,000

A Work Health and Safety Coordinator ensures all OHS guidelines are followed within a workplace and are usually responsible for providing operational assistance and advice to the organisation regarding the day-to-day management of WHS risks. Depending on the size of the organisation, this job title is similar and interchangeable to WHS Officer and Health Safety Advisor job titles, however in larger organisations there may be multiple WHS Coordinators working within a team under the management of a Health and Safety Manager.

What does an average day look like in a construction management position?

Your everyday responsibilities and tasks will depend on your role in construction management. However, all construction management positions come with a challenging but rewarding schedule.

As a construction manager, you will be checking in with the teams you are responsible for, to ensure they have everything they need to complete their jobs and keep the project running to schedule. You will also be potentially meeting with stakeholder groups to address concerns, such as shareholders, other management professionals and community leaders where the project is located. You will be checking on the status and provision of materials and resources to ensure everyone has the tools they need to complete their respective jobs.

Construction management in Australia

Despite the events of 2020 and restrictions placed on projects, building sites and construction work, the current Australian construction industry is still speculated to see strong future growth.1

Most common industries:

  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
  • Manufacturing

Currently, only 12.1% of the construction workforce is female, however this number is set to increase over the next 5 years as gender norms continue to be challenged and attractive salary packages continue to increase in the industry.2

Average weekly earnings of Construction Managers are over double all jobs average, at $3,450 compared to $1,460 for all jobs.1

1Job Outlook, 2020 2ABS, 2019

Industry Insights

How to Get a Builders Licence

Becoming a builder is often the natural job progression for workers in construction. For those ready to take the next step in their building and construction career and become a registered builder, you need to obtain a builder’s licence.

Along with experience, you need formal qualifications in almost all states to obtain a builder’s licence. The first step to obtaining a builder’s licence is completing a Certificate IV in Building & Construction (Building) (CPC40120). This course will provide you with the first basic units and entry points into the requirements needed for a builders licence in each state.

With our flexible online study, you can complete your qualification while gaining industry experience. Find out how you can grow your career in construction and obtain your builder’s licence in your state.  

Demonstrate your commitment

As an AIPM Member, you'll enjoy:

  • Access to largest most exclusive online community of project managers
  • Certification and Industry recognition at a Certified Practising Project Practitioner (CPPP) level
  • Online access to project management resources and templates
  • Access to career opportunities through personalised and curated online jobs marketplace
  • Invitation to exclusive member-only events
  • Events and webinars at discounted rates

Courses in Building and Construction Management

If you’re ready to get off the tools and pursue a career in building and construction management, having a formal qualification behind you is essential to success. Whether you’re after specialist and administrative roles such as contract administration or building estimator, or you’re ready to manage entire projects, CAL has a range of building and construction courses available to propel your career. 

The value of our Building & Construction Management qualifications is that the skills covered are practical and can be applied to your job from day one. It can ensure you’re highly qualified and ready to take on a management role immediately upon completion. Thanks to our online and self-paced study options, you also have the unique opportunity to progress in your career while still studying.

WHY STUDY WITH CAL?

Real Outcomes. Guaranteed.

Our Real Outcomes Guarantee is our commitment to you and your career goals, ensuring that your studies will give you real-world benefits.

Our team, assessments and feedback are all focused on helping you in your career, not just completing your course. As the only RTO offering this, our guarantee is part of our ongoing work to go beyond just a piece of paper.

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CAL Careers Hub and Career Counselling

We support you beyond achieving your qualifications – we want to help you be as prepared as possible for taking the next step in your career. Our Careers Hub gives you complimentary and exclusive access to resources and personalised advice from our in-house Career Coach.

My experience with Jenni the career counsellor was exceptional…The feedback was so helpful. She was encouraging too, and made me feel more sure about how to ‘sell myself’ to the target employers. I am very impressed with CAL’s careers hub – many resources that I will use. Thank you very much for your help.

– Samantha M.

Every member of our team is here to support you beyond achieving your qualifications. We want you to be as prepared as possible for taking the next step in your career. As a CAL student you’ll gain access to our Careers Hub through our online learning hub ‘Spark’.

Learn more about the cal career hub

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