Installs, maintains and designs below-ground drainage systems and associated sewerage or effluent disposal systems. Registration or licensing is required.
Previously referred to in ASCO as:
4431-15 Drainer
Drainlayers install, maintain and repair pipes in stormwater or sewerage
systems drains, and install associated sewerage or effluent disposal systems.
Drainlayers work outdoors with other tradespeople on building and construction
sites. They often start (and finish) work early in the day and may be required
to travel between locations.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Drainlayer earn an average of $1178 per week. The [average
annual salary for this job is $61256 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
enjoy practical work
good hand-eye coordination
able to work independently
technical aptitude
able to follow plans
able to work in various weather conditions
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
good interpersonal skills
good mobility.
This job also involves:
Full use of hands/fingers
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements
are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination
or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to
undertake.
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Mainly outdoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day outdoors, exposed to the weather. They may report
back to an office, station, depot or other central site.
Physical effort
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs require daily physical
exertion, such as bending and twisting, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing,
carrying or other effort where physical fitness is required. People with
heart, back or other conditions who should avoid physical strain may wish to
avoid these jobs.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Skilled Trade Jobs
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however
further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job
training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Industrial Arts
School subjects that include some aspect of INDUSTRIAL ARTS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases an industrial arts-related subject is
a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Drainlayer
Drainlayers may perform the following tasks:
set out and install below-ground sanitary and stormwater drainage systems
carry out site drainage and de-watering procedures, employing stormwater, sub-soil and pumped systems
install septic tanks, effluent disposal and disinfection systems
find and clear blockages in drainage systems
replace sections of below-ground drains
excavate and level according to line, depth and grade
install excavation supports in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements
cut and join piping
test drainage systems
construct brick or concrete pits.
Specialisations
With experience, and sometimes further training, it is possible to become a
licensed drainlayer.