Bricklayer

Overview

Lays bricks, pre-cut stone and other types of building blocks in mortar to construct and repair walls, partitions, arches and other structures. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skills

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

Tasks

• studying plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures
• erecting and dismantling restricted height scaffolding
• sealing foundations with damp-resistant materials and spreading layers of mortar to serve as base and binder for blocks using trowels
• laying bricks in rows, designs and shapes, and spreading mortar between joints
• embedding blocks in mortar and removing excess mortar
• checking vertical and horizontal alignment
• cutting, shaping and polishing stones and bricks using machines and hand tools, and shaping bricks to fit irregular spaces
• repairing and maintaining bricks, cement blocks and related structures
• designing and cutting monumental masonry and lettering
• constructing walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks

Alternative Titles

• Blocklayer

Specialisations

• Chimney Builder
• Refractory Bricklayer
• Retort Setter (Bricklaying)
• Tuckpointer

Related Occupations

• Stonemason