Road Traffic Controller

A Road Traffic Controller directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic at construction sites, roadworks, events, and accident scenes across Australia. Working under the direction of site managers or traffic management companies, they use hand signals, portable stop/slow boards, and communication devices to safely guide traffic flow and protect both workers and the public in temporary traffic control zones.

Position and deploy portable stop/slow boards and traffic cones to establish temporary traffic control zones in compliance with Australian Standards AS 1742 series. Direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic using hand signals, audible signals, and portable devices in accordance with site-specific traffic management plans. Communicate via two-way radio with other traffic controllers, site supervisors, and emergency services to coordinate safe traffic flow. Monitor traffic patterns and congestion levels throughout the shift and adjust traffic control methods to maintain safety and minimise delays. Conduct pre-shift safety briefings and toolbox meetings to brief team members on traffic control procedures and site-specific hazards. Maintain line of sight and awareness of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles in the work zone and adjacent areas at all times. Respond to emergency situations by stopping traffic, clearing work zones, and assisting emergency service personnel at accident or incident scenes. Record traffic volumes, incident reports, and non-conformances in site logbooks and submit reports to site supervisors and traffic management companies.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate I or compulsory secondary education (ABS skill level 5). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You're standing on the roadside in all weather for 8 to 10 hour shifts, exposed to vehicle fumes, noise, and the constant risk of being hit by distracted or speeding drivers. Pay caps out relatively low compared to other site roles, and there's limited progression unless you move into supervision or traffic management planning. The work is repetitive and physically demanding.

In practice, jobs concentrate in major metro areas where construction and roadworks are heaviest. Regional Australia has steady work during major infrastructure projects, but it's less consistent. Work is site-based, not remote. Employment depends on the construction and transport sectors' activity levels.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 8999, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Conflict De-escalationcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Multitaskingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Dispatch Documentation
• Stakeholder Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Workload Self-Management
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026