If you are an experienced bricklayer or stonemason and have been thinking about Australia, there is an important update to know.
Australia’s current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) includes both:
– Bricklayer — ANZSCO 331111
– Stonemason — ANZSCO 331112
That means these occupations can be relevant to certain skilled employer-sponsored visa pathways, subject to the applicant and position meeting all visa requirements.
LATEST UPDATE: 19 SEPTEMBER 2026
On 19 September 2026, Australia’s new skilled-visa processing priorities came into effect.
Construction is now in the first priority group for certain skilled visa applications, alongside sectors including healthcare, teaching, agriculture and resources.
This is an important change for construction workers, but there is a crucial point:
Priority processing does NOT mean automatic visa approval.
Applicants still have to meet the requirements of the particular visa, occupation and employer sponsorship.
WHAT DOES A BRICKLAYER DO?
A bricklayer constructs and repairs structures using bricks, blocks and mortar.
Typical work can include:
– Building walls
– Laying bricks and blocks
– Constructing partitions
– Building arches
– Repairing brick structures
– Reading construction plans
– Measuring and setting out work
– Preparing and applying mortar
– Following workplace health and safety procedures
For migration purposes, the exact duties performed are important because Australian authorities assess whether an applicant’s employment experience matches the nominated occupation.
WHAT DOES A STONEMASON DO?
A stonemason works with natural or manufactured stone in construction and restoration work.
Depending on the position, duties can include:
– Cutting and shaping stone
– Preparing stone for construction
– Installing stonework
– Building walls and structures
– Repairing or restoring stone structures
– Reading plans and measurements
– Using specialist tools and equipment
The applicant should make sure that their actual experience matches the duties of the nominated occupation.
QUALIFICATIONS
For bricklayers, Australia’s Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) lists Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying — CPC33020 as the relevant Australian qualification.
Foreign workers do not necessarily need to hold that exact Australian certificate, but their overseas qualification and training may need to be assessed against Australian standards depending on the migration pathway.
A useful qualification may include:
– Bricklaying or masonry trade qualification
– Apprenticeship or formal trade training
– Vocational certificate
– Relevant technical training
– Documented practical trade experience
Important: TRA states that work experience cannot simply substitute for a required formal qualification in its skills-assessment programs.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Experience requirements depend on the visa and the skills-assessment pathway.
For example, the Skills in Demand subclass 482 requires the applicant to have the skills needed for the nominated position and generally at least one year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
For other migration pathways, the experience requirement can be higher.
For example, the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 Direct Entry generally requires at least three years of relevant work experience, unless an exemption applies. A positive skills assessment is also generally required.
So a worker should never assume that simply having several years of experience automatically qualifies them for a particular visa.
SKILLS ASSESSMENT
This is one of the most important parts for overseas tradespeople.
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) conducts skills assessments for people with trade skills gained overseas or in Australia for migration purposes.
For bricklayers, the assessment can involve evidence of:
– Identity
– Qualifications
– Apprenticeship/training
– Employment history
– Duties performed
– Employer references
– Technical skills and knowledge
Depending on the assessment pathway, applicants may also have to complete a technical assessment.
TRA explains that applicants without a relevant Australian qualification can be required to provide documentary evidence and then undertake a technical assessment with an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
BRICKLAYERS FROM CERTAIN COUNTRIES
Bricklayer is one of the occupations included in Australia’s Offshore Skills Assessment Program list.
TRA currently lists Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Macau SAR, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and Zimbabwe for Bricklayer [331111] under its nominated-country arrangements.
However, skills-assessment rules depend on the occupation, passport country and visa pathway, so applicants should use TRA’s current eligibility tool rather than assuming the same process applies to everyone.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENT
English requirements depend on the visa pathway.
For example, applicants for the Skills in Demand subclass 482 generally need to meet the applicable English-language requirement unless an exemption applies.
Therefore, applicants should check the exact English requirement for their visa before booking an examination.
CONSTRUCTION LICENCE AND WHITE CARD
Working legally on an Australian construction site can involve additional workplace requirements.
A White Card is commonly required for people carrying out construction work in Australia.
Other licensing or registration requirements can depend on the occupation and state or territory.
Before travelling, workers should check the requirements applying to the particular job and location.
POSSIBLE VISA PATHWAYS
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, employer-sponsored options may include:
Skills in Demand Visa — Subclass 482
This temporary visa allows an approved Australian employer to sponsor a suitably skilled worker for an eligible position.
The applicant must have an approved sponsor, the required skills and meet the relevant visa requirements.
Employer Nomination Scheme — Subclass 186
This is a permanent employer-sponsored visa for eligible skilled workers.
The Direct Entry stream generally requires:
– Employer nomination
– An occupation on the CSOL
– Relevant work experience
– A positive skills assessment where required
– English-language requirements
– Health and character requirements
There are also age requirements, with exemptions in specific circumstances.
Regional Employer-Sponsored Options
Some construction workers may also have regional employer-sponsored opportunities, depending on their occupation, employer, location and individual circumstances.
The exact pathway should be checked before accepting a job offer.
LEGIT RECRUITMENT AGENCIES TO CHECK
Being listed below does not mean that an agency guarantees visa sponsorship for bricklayers or stonemasons. Always check the individual vacancy.
1. Techforce
Techforce is an Australian recruitment company specialising in construction and other industries.
Its construction recruitment covers trades including carpenters, plumbers, concreters, steel fixers and other construction roles. Techforce also states that it recruits internationally and has experience sourcing workers from countries including the Philippines, Indonesia and India.
“Techforce Australia” (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/14)
2. Hays Australia
Hays has a dedicated construction and trades recruitment operation across Australia.
It recruits for construction, civil and residential projects and works with skilled tradespeople and other construction professionals. Hays also provides information for people considering relocation to Australia and recruits qualified tradespeople where suitable visa arrangements are available.
“Hays Australia Construction Jobs” (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/16)
3. Randstad Australia
Randstad has a dedicated Australian construction labour and trades recruitment operation.
Its current trades recruitment pages specifically list bricklayer among the occupations it recruits for.
“Randstad Australia Trades & Labour Jobs” (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/18)
BEFORE YOU APPLY
A foreign bricklayer or stonemason should prepare:
✓ Passport
✓ Trade qualification
✓ Apprenticeship/training records
✓ Detailed CV
✓ Employment certificates
✓ Employer references
✓ Proof of work experience
✓ Skills-assessment documents
✓ English evidence, if required
✓ Construction safety credentials where applicable
✓ Evidence of licensing/registration if required
BE CAREFUL WITH “AUSTRALIA SPONSORSHIP” ADS
This is extremely important.
A recruitment agency advertising construction jobs does not automatically mean that every job provides visa sponsorship.
Before paying anyone, ask:
“Does this exact position sponsor overseas workers?”
Then ask:
“Which Australian visa will the employer nominate me for?”
Do not pay an unknown person on Facebook, WhatsApp or Telegram simply because they promise an Australian construction job.
Australian immigration rules also prohibit benefits being offered or received in exchange for visa sponsorship.
THE BOTTOM LINE
For experienced foreign bricklayers and stonemasons, Australia is worth watching.
Both Bricklayer (331111) and Stonemason (331112) appear on the current Core Skills Occupation List, while construction has been placed in the first processing-priority group for certain skilled visas from 19 September 2026.
But the opportunity is not automatic.
Your occupation, qualification, experience, skills assessment, English, employer and visa pathway all matter.
Check the exact requirements before paying anyone or accepting an overseas job offer.
