White Card, skills, tools, and what new steel fixers actually do on site
If you’re looking for a strong, stable career in construction, steel fixing is one of the best hands-on trades you can get into in Queensland. It’s physical, team-based, and you get to work on projects that actually shape the state’s roads, bridges, towers and infrastructure.
But if you’ve never worked in construction before, it can be hard to know where to start.
This guide covers exactly what you need to get your first steel fixing job in QLD, including:
- The mandatory requirements (like the White Card)
- Skills and fitness levels needed
- Essential tools
- What your first few weeks on site actually look like
- How to stand out when applying for steel fixing roles
If you’re serious about getting started, this is everything you need to know.
What is steel fixing?
Steel fixing (also called reo fixing) is the process of placing, tying and securing steel reinforcing bar and mesh before the concrete gets poured.
If you’ve ever walked past:
- bridge works
- road upgrades
- multi-storey buildings
- culverts and retaining walls
- big slabs in warehouses
…there’s a steel fixing crew behind it.
It’s a trade where you can start with no formal background and work your way up to steel fixer, leading hand or foreman over time.
Step 1: Get your Construction White Card (QLD requirement)
To step foot on any construction site in Queensland, you legally need a White Card.
It’s your first non-negotiable step.
What the White Card covers:
- Basic WHS/OHS laws
- How to identify and avoid hazards
- PPE (personal protective equipment)
- Emergency procedures
- Working safely around plant, machinery and other trades
In Queensland, White Card training must be completed face-to-face with a registered RTO.
Once you complete the unit CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry, you’ll receive:
- a Statement of Attainment
- your White Card (posted to you)
No White Card = no site access.
Every steel fixer, labourer and apprentice on a job in QLD has one.
If you don’t have one yet, organise it as soon as possible. Most RTOs run these courses daily.
Step 2: Know what employers actually look for
Good steel fixing crews value attitude, reliability and toughness more than anything.
Here’s what stands out:
1. Reliability
Construction starts early.
If you turn up on time, ready to go, you’re already ahead of half the pack.
2. Willingness to learn
Steel fixing is all about technique and speed.
Crew leaders can teach you the skills – they can’t teach you enthusiasm.
3. Physical fitness
You’ll be bending, walking, tying, carrying bar and working outdoors.
You don’t need to be a bodybuilder – just willing to work hard and stay safe.
4. Basic numeracy
You’ll be reading measurements, bar sizes and drawings.
Nothing complicated – just pay attention and check your work.
5. A good attitude on site
If you’re easy to work with, listen well and don’t complain every five minutes, foremen will move you up fast.
Step 3: Get the basic steel fixing tools
Most steel fixers eventually build their own kit, but beginners only need a few essentials.
Core tools you should bring
- Reo nips / tying pliers
- Tie-wire reel (goes on your belt)
- Tie-wire twister (hand or pistol style)
- Tape measure (8m+)
- Permanent marker or chalk
- Gloves
These tools cost very little but help you hit the ground running.
PPE to bring on day one
- Steel-cap boots
- Hi-vis shirt or vest
- Long pants
- Safety glasses
- Hard hat (most sites supply this, but having your own is useful)
- Hearing protection
The company or site will provide the larger equipment like:
- power cutters
- bar benders
- grinders
- site tools
- rebar stands, jigs and machines
You just need the basics and a solid work ethic.
Step 4: Understand the work you’ll actually be doing
Here’s a realistic look at the tasks new steel fixers handle in their first few weeks:
Moving and placing reo
You’ll help carry mesh, position bar, and place spacers and chairs.
Learning to tie
Your first job is getting comfortable tying reo quickly and correctly.
Assisting the crew
You’ll work side-by-side with experienced fixers, helping set out bar and keep work areas tidy.
Working on real projects
Expect to work on:
- commercial slabs
- footings
- car parks
- retaining walls
- civil infrastructure
It’s physical work, but you quickly develop skill and speed.
Step 5: Know your career path
Steel fixing is one of the easier trades to enter with no experience but offers genuinely strong progression if you stick with it.
The typical pathway:
- Labourer / Trainee steel fixer
- Steel fixer
- Leading hand
- Foreman / supervisor
From there, many go into:
- site management
- estimating
- construction supervision
- specialist civil roles
If you like hands-on work and want real upward movement, it’s a great trade.
Step 6: Choosing the right employer
The difference between enjoying steel fixing and hating it usually comes down to the crew you work with.
A good steel fixing company should offer:
- consistent work across commercial and civil projects
- clear communication from leading hands and foremen
- a mix of experienced fixers and younger workers
- safe, well-organised sites
- opportunities to step up as you improve
This is exactly the environment we’ve built at Spot On Reo.
Our teams work across Queensland, delivering high-quality commercial, industrial and civil steel fixing projects. We back reliable workers, promote from within, and focus on building crews that look after each other.
If you’re reliable, hardworking and keen to learn, you’ll fit right in.
Ready to get started?
If you’re looking for steel fixing work in Queensland, or you want to start your construction career the right way:
👉 Apply to join Spot On Reo’s crews – connect with us via our contact page
We’re always looking for motivated people who want a solid trade, consistent work and a team that has your back.