WITH the Victoria budget out of the way last Tuesday, today the attention shifts to the Federal Budget.
THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) has urged the Federal Government to use the Budget, being delivered at the federal Parliament tonight, to directly address Australia’s severe shortage of skilled tradespeople and apprentices, warning that housing supply targets will not be met without decisive action.
“Australia simply cannot meet its housing needs without a significantly larger and more sustainable construction workforce,” HIA Chief Executive, Industry and Policy, Simon Croft said.
“Workforce shortages are now one of the biggest constraints on home building, renovations and the delivery of housing across the country.
“Speak to any builder anywhere in Australia and they will tell you the same thing – the single biggest challenge to delivering more homes is access to skilled workers and apprentices.
“HIA’s Federal Budget submission highlights that demand for skilled trades has consistently outstripped supply, with acute shortages in carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, electrical trades and other critical residential construction occupations.
“At the same time governments are seeking to dramatically increase housing supply, the industry is grappling with an ageing workforce, falling apprentice commencements and growing competition for skilled labour across multiple sectors.
HIA has called on the government to prioritise practical, targeted measures in the budget to rebuild the residential construction workforce, including:
Boosting apprentice commencements and completions through stronger employer incentives, improved wage support and reduced regulatory complexity for small and medium businesses.
Expanding and fast‑tracking skilled migration pathways for residential construction trades, with occupations lists, visa processing and qualification recognition aligned to industry needs.
Increasing investment in vocational education and training, including industry‑led job‑ready training and ‘try‑a‑trade’ pre‑apprenticeship programs, and
Reducing the cost and risk of employing apprentices, particularly for small builders and tradies who train the majority of apprentices but face rising cost pressures.
“Around 90 per cent of residential builders are small businesses. If we want more apprentices, we must better support the employers who take them on and reduce the financial burden and red tape associated with training,” Mr Croft said.
“HIA is also calling for a coordinated, long‑term workforce strategy that aligns housing policy, infrastructure investment, migration settings and training systems.
“Stop‑start policies and short‑term funding announcements do not build a workforce. A credible housing supply strategy requires a sustained commitment to growing skilled trades over the next decade and beyond.
“The Federal Budget will be a critical test of the government’s commitment to boosting housing supply and the Budget must deliver real, practical solutions that get more apprentices on site, attract skilled workers to Australia and back in the employers to take on more workers.”