Shelley Goodwin was the first female labourer to be hired in Victoria for the construction company she works for, which employs more than 500 men nationally.

Key points: The State Government will invest $500,000 over three years in the state's first Women in Construction Strategy

The State Government will invest $500,000 over three years in the state's first Women in Construction Strategy Women make up 2 per cent of Australia's construction workforce, despite one in 10 jobs in Victoria being in the building industry

Women make up 2 per cent of Australia's construction workforce, despite one in 10 jobs in Victoria being in the building industry The money will be used to connect women candidates with construction roles, provide career counselling, resume services and recruitment training

After helping her Dad with the handy work at home, she knew she liked working with her hands, but didn't begin her carpentry apprenticeship until age 30, because of the stigma surrounding women in the building industry.

"There is a misconception that the construction industry is a harsh and brutal place, but it's not, it's supportive," she said.

"There are a lot of women out there who can do this sort of work and would really enjoy the roles that the construction industry provides."

The 45-year-old former VFL player and mother-of-one said there were still a lot of barriers preventing women from getting into the industry, but she had noticed the culture starting to shift over the past 15 years.

"Some of the girls I've spoken to say it's been assumed they can't do the same physical work as a guy," she said.

"But I think the doors are beginning to open for women who want to do a trade, it's more flexible for me as a parent now, but it's been a long time coming."

Women make up just 2 per cent of Australia's construction workforce, despite one in 10 jobs in Victoria being in the building industry.

Lara Van Graas joined the construction industry four months ago, but it wasn't easy. ( ABC News: Gemma Hall )

The Victorian Government is launching a new strategy to encourage more women to consider a career in construction, which is the most male-dominated sector in the country.

Lara Van Graas joined the industry four months ago after working in retail for most of her life.

The 33-year-old works 25 metres underground as a spotter on Melbourne's Metro Tunnel project.

She said it wasn't easy getting a job in construction, despite having the qualifications.

"I really struggled for the first 12 months trying to get in," she said.

Victoria's construction industry is a male-dominated profession. ( ABC News: Gemma Hall )

"I didn't know many people in the industry, so being on my own with no contacts and very little experience was challenging."

Ms Van Graas was one of about 24 female CFMEU members who worked on the project, which employed thousands of men.

She said the long shifts often turned women off.

"We often do 12-hour shifts and alternate between day and night shifts, so if you're a caregiver it can be a struggle with the hours" she said.

"Some of the dads who work [in the tunnel] just see their family on weekends, they'll work in the city and go home on weekends, so that's something you need to weigh up."

Long work hours have traditionally been a barrier for women wanting to enter the construction industry. ( ABC News: Gemma Hall )

The Andrews Government will invest $500,000 over three years in the state's first Women in Construction Strategy.

The money will be used to create an online jobs portal to connect women candidates with construction roles as well as career counselling, resume services and recruitment training and support.

A new training program developed by the Victorian Trades Hall Council will educate workers and employers about gender bias and violence on construction sites, and a new set of recruitment standard practices for the construction industry will be created.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the construction industry needed to be changed "a little bit" to accommodate women.

"There is a lot of opportunity for women in construction, but we've got to recognise that workplace is not always an attractive place for women," Mr Pallas said.

"We need to recognise that in order to retain women then we essentially need to change attitudes and culture towards women.

"We're working with businesses to change guidelines around recruitment to make sure the industry understands they have to look outside their normal areas of recruitment and start opening themselves to the suggestion that women in the workforce is a good thing."