Occupation Guide
Migrate as a Bricklayer
Bricklayers build and repair walls, foundations, chimneys, arches and other structures using brick, block and stone, working from drawings to lay courses accurately, spread mortar, check level and plumb, and produce clean pointing and finishes. It is a skilled trade in constant demand wherever housing and infrastructure are being built, and several countries facing acute construction shortages actively recruit qualified bricklayers on skilled-worker and points-based routes, some with a clear path to permanent residence.
Global Demand for Bricklayers
Housing targets, ageing tradespeople and slow apprentice pipelines have left bricklaying on the skilled-occupation shortage lists of Australia, Canada and much of Europe. Australia lists bricklayers on its Core Skills Occupation List, New Zealand keeps them on the Green List's work-to-residence tier, and Canada recognises the trade under NOC 7281. Wages have risen sharply as builders compete for scarce labour, and employers increasingly sponsor overseas tradespeople, assist with skills assessments and cover trade-recognition costs to secure reliable brickies.
Best Countries for Bricklayers
Top destinations with proven visa pathways and strong demand for international bricklayers.
Australia
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) / Skilled Nominated (190) / Regional (491)
AUD $65,000 – $95,000/yr (AUD $35–$50/hr)
Bricklayer (ANZSCO 331111) sits on the Core Skills Occupation List, so employers can sponsor you on the subclass 482 and states nominate the trade for permanent 190/491 visas. A successful Trades Recognition Australia skills assessment, usually via the Offshore Skills Assessment Programme, is the key step and can lead to permanent residence.
New Zealand
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) / Green List work-to-residence
NZD $60,000 – $90,000/yr (NZD $30–$45/hr)
Bricklayers and blocklayers are on the Green List (Tier 2), giving a work-to-residence pathway after two years with an accredited employer. The AEWV lets approved builders sponsor overseas brickies directly, and strong post-quake and housing demand keeps rates high, particularly in Auckland and Christchurch.
Canada
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) / Express Entry (Federal Skilled Trades)
CAD $50,000 – $80,000/yr (CAD $28–$42/hr)
Bricklayers fall under NOC 7281, a skilled trade eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades stream and many Provincial Nominee construction streams (Ontario, BC, Alberta and the Atlantic provinces). Trade certification is provincially regulated, and a job offer plus a Certificate of Qualification greatly strengthens an Express Entry profile toward permanent residence.
United Kingdom
Skilled Worker visa (bricklayers and masons, SOC 5312)
£30,000 – £45,000/yr (£17–£24/hr)
Bricklaying is an eligible Skilled Worker occupation (SOC 5312), letting a Home Office-licensed sponsor hire you if the role meets the salary threshold. Persistent shortages against national housebuilding targets keep day rates strong, and the Skilled Worker route can lead to settlement (ILR) after five years.
General Requirements
A recognised trade qualification or an assessed equivalent in bricklaying/masonry, plus documented work experience (typically 3+ years for skilled-worker and skills-assessment routes)
A job offer from an approved or licensed sponsor for most work visas (Australia 482, NZ AEWV, UK Skilled Worker) or a provincial nomination for Canada
A positive skills/trade assessment where required — Trades Recognition Australia for the 482/190, or a provincial Certificate of Qualification in Canada
Proof of English at the required level (IELTS, PTE Academic or an accepted equivalent) as set by the specific visa
Valid passport, police/character clearance and any health check or chest X-ray the visa demands
Meeting minimum salary and, where relevant, age or points thresholds for the chosen route (e.g. Australia's points test for 190/491)
Key Certifications & Assessments
A vocational bricklaying qualification such as NVQ/SVQ Level 2–3 in Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying), a City & Guilds diploma, or an equivalent apprenticeship completion from your home country
A CSCS card (typically the Blue Skilled Worker card) to work legally on UK construction sites, obtained after passing the CITB Health, Safety & Environment test
A Trades Recognition Australia skills assessment (Offshore Skills Assessment Programme) for Bricklayer (ANZSCO 331111) — the gateway to the 482 and skilled visas
A provincial Certificate of Qualification / Red Seal endorsement in Canada for NOC 7281, where trade certification is compulsory in that province
A general construction safety induction for the destination country (e.g. Australia's White Card, or NZ Site Safe / Construct Safe) plus working-at-height and manual-handling training
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need formal qualifications to migrate as a bricklayer, or is experience enough?
You generally need both. Skilled-worker and points routes want a recognised trade qualification (or an assessed equivalent) backed by several years of documented experience. Australia requires a Trades Recognition Australia skills assessment that reviews your qualification and work history, and Canada often requires a provincial Certificate of Qualification. Time-served experience without any certificate can sometimes be recognised through a trade test, but a formal qualification makes every route far smoother.
Which country is easiest for a bricklayer to get permanent residence?
Australia and New Zealand offer the clearest paths. In Australia, bricklaying is on the Core Skills Occupation List, so the 190/491 nominations lead directly to PR. In New Zealand, the trade is on the Green List's work-to-residence tier, giving residence after two years with an accredited employer. Canada's Provincial Nominee and Federal Skilled Trades streams also lead to PR but usually need a job offer plus certification. The UK Skilled Worker route can lead to settlement after five years.
Will my home-country bricklaying qualification be recognised abroad?
Not automatically — most countries assess it. Australia checks your qualification and experience through Trades Recognition Australia; Canada assesses through the relevant provincial trade authority and may require a challenge exam; and the UK expects an NVQ Level 2–3 or an equivalent to obtain a CSCS card. Gather your certificates, apprenticeship records and detailed employer references early, as the assessment or credential-recognition step is often the longest part of the process.
How much can a bricklayer realistically earn overseas?
Rates are strong because the trade is in short supply. Expect roughly AUD $65,000–$95,000 a year in Australia, NZD $60,000–$90,000 in New Zealand, CAD $50,000–$80,000 in Canada and £30,000–£45,000 in the UK, with self-employed or piece-rate brickies often earning more during busy periods. Be cautious of any recruiter promising far above-market pay or charging large upfront fees — legitimate sponsors and government schemes do not require big recruitment payments.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and rules change often. Always confirm the current requirements on the official government website for your destination. How we research & source our guides.
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