Based on approximately 33 years’ experience in the building industry – as a director of a building company, providing taxation and business advice to a number of building industry clients, and providing forensic services relating to the building industry – it is my opinion that the Australian Bureau of Statistics data is not representative of many workers in the building industry for the following reasons:
- A substantial number of workers in the building industry work as subcontractors – their earnings are not included in the survey of employee earnings and hours.
- The averages do not include the SGC superannuation of 9%.
- The averages do not include fringe benefits such as provision of motor vehicles and tools, salary sacrifice to superannuation, payments of otherwise deductible expenses,etc.
- The survey excludes proprietors/partners in businesses who are not paid a salary.
- The salaries for business owners can be manipulated lower by their tax accountants to minimise taxes by the use of partnerships, trusts, company retention of profits, etc.
- The averages do not include commissions or bonuses.
- The averages include workers at minimal skill levels earning award wages.
- The averages include part-time workers.
The Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, Aug 2008 Report shows the following earnings for male full-time non managerial employees as:
| Total Earnings |
| 331 Bricklayers, and carpenters and joiners |
$ 1,187.70 |
| 332 Floor finishers and painting trades workers |
$ 1,033.00 |
| 333 Glaziers, plasterers and tilers |
$ 945.40 |
| 334 Plumbers |
$ 1,018.70 |
| 821 Construction and mining labourers |
$ 1,243.70 |