A tradie has claimed he is doing it tough despite earning a staggering $160,000-a-year after tax.
The Brisbane concrete patcher made the frank admission after he was stopped on the street by job app Getahead.
He explained he earned between $2,500 and $3,000 a week after pulling 10-and-a-half-hour days, five days a week.
He can make an extra $200 if he puts in another six to eight hours on Saturdays.
‘I’m working to survive at the moment, he said.
‘I wish I could win the lotto or something. This is alright for the time being,’ he said.
The concrete patcher is one of countless Australians who are struggling to keep up with the cost-of-living prices.
Inflation is currently at 2.7 per cent while the cash rate is at 4.35 per cent - the highest it has been in 12 years - causing mortgage stress for millions of households.
A tradie has revealed he is doing it tough despite earning a staggering $160,000 a year after tax
The tradie said working as a concrete patcher can be very physically demanding at times, but also ‘one of the easiest jobs in construction.
During the interview, the tradie offered advice for school leavers to get into the industry.
He suggested high school graduates should contact the trade union, use common sense by going to construction sites and ‘put feelers out there’.
When asked his number one piece of advice for someone leaving school, the tradie replied: ‘Ditch your phone at home, don’t use your phone at work and just put all your energy into work.’
Some social media users were left confused about how a tradie earning $160,000-a-year could be struggling.
Working to survive? 120-150k a year after tax? one wrote.
The tradie suggested school leavers wanting to work in the industry should contact the trade union, use common sense by going to construction sites and ‘put feelers out there’
3k a week after tax. and working to survive? my brain aint braining on this one, another added.
$3,000 a week after tax is $156,000 a year that’s a lot of money I hope he is living below his means to have lots left over to invest in.
Others were more sympathetic arguing a six-figure salary didnt go as far as it used to.
10 years ago making 100k meant you were doing OK. Now days 100k is poverty, one wrote.
Another added: Stay away from concrete it’s bleeding torture all aspects of it.
One blamed the high income for the soaring construction costs in Australia.
Thats why construction costs way to much in this country. they taking the p*ss, they wrote.
Thats like $300k before tax. No wonder healthcare is stuffed no ones will be nurses or doctors anymore.