Skilled Labour & Employment
Local Training & International Talent
Australia’s scaffolding industry has faced significant labour shortages, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, SMS Group Services is committed to upskilling local workers and offering pathways for experienced international scaffolders through the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482).
We provide specialised training programs for local workers to equip new scaffolders with the skills required for the evolving industry. Meanwhile, international workers on Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visas (subclass 417/462) can work with SMS, experience life in Australia, and express interest in long-term sponsorship under the TSS visa.
The Future of Scaffolding as a Recognised Trade?
With New Zealand moving towards recognising scaffolding as a formal trade, Australia is likely to follow. This shift would elevate industry standards, requiring formal qualifications and technical expertise. At SMS, we proactively invest in skilled staff, structured training, and industry-leading safety practices to stay ahead of these changes.
Whether through training local talent or sponsoring experienced international scaffolders, SMS Group Services ensures a highly skilled, adaptable workforce that meets the demands of Australia’s growing access and industrial services sector.
Looking for Labour?
We know the right person for the job. Our recruitment database gives us access to large personnel groups at short notice. We currently have a pool of 400+ on-boarded SMS employees looking for employment. For labour and equipment that can be mobilised as part of a complete scaffold access management package, make SMS your preferred provider. Contact us for a free estimate.
Skilled Specialist Labour
SMS Group Services are your recommended trained labour specialists for all projects, great and small. Whether you require skilled labour for industrial jobs, major mining projects, maintenance or commercial projects, we’ve got a specialist who is perfect for you. All our staff are knowledgeable, flexible and motivated to perform to the highest standards.
Specialist Managers
We have a pool of experienced managers who specialise in various aspects of the industry. Once we have assessed the labour and equipment requirements for your job, we can assign a highly experienced manager with the skills and experience to deliver a successful project outcome.
Inspectors
We have access to a pool of inspectors equipped with broad-scale qualifications. Our inspectors work across a range of industries and can be embedded on-site for the duration of a project or make frequent visits to multiple sites in your portfolio.
Supervisors
Our database of supervisors are all competent industry veterans and available to work across projects.
Leading Hands
A leading hand is generally a qualified operator who takes on more responsibility within a team. While this is not exactly a supervisory job, it does require a ‘hands-on’ approach and the ability to lead by example.
Scaffolders
Scaffolding is a critical part of many construction and civil sites. That’s why only qualified individuals should carry out this task. We have competent scaffolders on call, with the necessary experience to work professionally, efficiently and safely.
Confined Space and Gas Test Sentries
Our sentries are trained to monitor confined space entry and atmospheric conditions, ensuring safe access for workers at all times. They oversee permit compliance, maintain constant communication, and are equipped to respond immediately to emergencies.
Rope Access Technicians
Our IRATA-certified rope access technicians provide safe, efficient access to hard-to-reach areas without the need for traditional scaffolding. They are skilled in inspection, maintenance, and installation tasks across industrial, commercial, and resource sectors.
Corrosion Control
Our blast and paint teams specialise in surface preparation and protective coatings to extend asset life and manage corrosion risk. They deliver high-quality finishes across structural steel, tanks, pipelines, and other critical infrastructure.
Looking for employment?
We are always looking for experienced professionals to join our workforce. If you want to build a career with SMS Group Services, visit our Careers page to view our current vacancies.