A guide to Women in trades Victoria, apprenticeships, and career pathways in the construction industry.
Women are entering the construction industry in record numbers, and not just in office or administrative roles. Across Victoria, women are increasingly taking up apprenticeships and on-site roles in traditionally male-dominated trades, driven by skills shortages, changing workplace culture, and targeted government investment.
According to the Australian Government, nearly 80% more women are now undertaking apprenticeships in male-dominated trades than five years ago, marking a significant shift in the construction workforce pipeline. This growth is a critical step toward addressing long-standing skills shortages across the industry and expanding opportunities for women in building and construction.
At the Building & Construction Foundation, we see these shifts firsthand through our work supporting women who are experiencing barriers to access training, apprenticeships, and real pathways into construction careers.
So, which construction jobs are seeing the fastest growth and strongest interest among women in Victoria?
Electrical trades
Electrical is emerging as one of the most popular and fastest-growing skilled trade pathways for women.
Women starting electrical apprenticeships have increased by approximately 115% since 2019, reflecting strong uptake nationally and in Victoria. Electrical work combines technical skill, safety awareness, and structured training which are all qualities that make it attractive to many women entering construction, particularly women exploring a career change.
While it is still a physically active job, electrical work is less reliant on heavy manual labour than some other trades and places a strong emphasis on:
- Education and licensing
- Risk management and safety
- Accuracy and problem-solving
As construction becomes more technologically complex, electrical trades are expected to remain in high demand across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
Painting Trades
Painting continues to stand out as one of the most accessible construction trades for women and is often cited among the best trades for women entering the industry.
Women make up around 4% of painting trades workers, which is higher than many other hands-on trades such as electrical (around 3%) and plumbing (around 1%) according to ABS labour force data. While still a small proportion overall, this comparatively higher participation signals that painting is already a more common entry point for women.
Importantly, painting trades workers are also identified as an in-demand occupation in Victoria’s construction labour market. Employment projections show painting among the key occupations where new workers are expected through 2026, driven by:
- Ongoing residential construction
- Renovations and maintenance
- Commercial and infrastructure finishing work
Unlike many other trades, painting places a strong focus on attention to detail, colour, and finish, alongside technical skill. As the industry places greater emphasis on quality and presentation, painting has become a trade where women are increasingly finding a strong fit and clear career pathway, particularly for those seeking construction training in Victoria that balances skill and creativity
Carpentry & Joinery Trades
Carpentry remains one of the largest and most in-demand trades in Victoria in general, underpinning nearly every construction project.
Female participation in carpentry is still low, but it is slowly growing from a very small base. With ongoing housing demand and workforce shortages, the industry can no longer rely solely on male labour to meet demand, and this is creating real opportunities for women.
In practice, many employers are actively seeking to diversify their carpentry teams, and training organisations are seeing increased interest from women considering carpentry as a long-term career.
Within our own trade network and participation in the Building Women’s Careers (BWC) program, carpentry consistently ranks as one of the highest-interest trade interests for women, particularly among those seeking a practical, creative, and future-proof career.
Tiling Trades
Tiling is another trade gaining traction among women, particularly in residential construction.
Female participation in tiling sits below painting but above plumbing, placing it mid-range among traditional trades. Demand for tilers remains strong due to sustained construction activity and the ongoing need for skilled finishing work.
Tiling is increasingly seen as an accessible pathway for women because it:
- Emphasises precision and technique
- Requires attention to detail and visual quality
- Is one of the more creative trades available
- Offers opportunities to specialise in areas such as wet areas and finishing
For many women entering tiling, the pathway doesn’t stop at laying tiles. Finishing work opens the door to further specialisation, with caulking emerging as a key complementary skill. While caulking is not a standalone trade, it is taught as part of tiling apprenticeships and often becomes a specialist skill. The growing visibility of female tilers and caulking specialists through social media is helping shift perceptions and attract more women to this trade.
Work Health & Safety (WHS) Officers and Site Safety Coordinators
While not a traditional “on-the-tools” trade, safety roles are becoming increasingly central to construction delivery.
With rising compliance requirements, larger projects, and stricter regulation, Work Health & Safety officers and site safety coordinators are in strong demand across Victoria.
These roles also have significantly higher female participation, estimated at 15–25%, well above most trade occupations. While growth is relatively stable rather than accelerating this year, the overall size of the workforce continues to create meaningful opportunities for women to enter the industry.
Safety roles appeal to women seeking:
- Construction site involvement without heavy manual labour
- Leadership and coordination responsibilities
- Strong alignment with risk management and compliance skills
As major infrastructure and commercial projects continue across Victoria, safety roles are expected to remain one of the most accessible and consistent pathways for women in construction.
Building the Future Workforce
Victoria’s construction workforce is changing. Skills shortages, evolving project demands, and a growing focus on diversity are opening doors that were once difficult for women to access. To explore deeper insights and practical next steps for women considering a trade career, check out “Women in Construction: What’s Really Possible?”
While challenges remain, the growing participation of women in electrical, painting, carpentry, tiling, and safety roles shows that construction careers are becoming more achievable and more visible. With the right support, training, and workplace culture, these roles offer women the chance to build long-term, skilled, and future-proof careers, while helping the industry meet its critical workforce needs.
If you are a woman or girl exploring construction pathways and would like some support, please contact us today. We have partnered with Incolink and funding from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), to launch the Building Women’s Careers (BWC) program, supporting women, girls and gender diverse people who identify as women, who have traditionally been locked out of trade opportunities due to financial hardship or barriers such as caring responsibilities, discrimination etc. To learn more about eligibility please visit our scholarships page.
