
The Housing Industry Association has urged the federal government to address persistent skill shortages in construction trades through major reforms to apprenticeships and skilled migration.
HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said Fee Free TAFE policies were not effectively addressing workforce gaps needed to meet Australia’s housing supply targets.
“Successive governments have been aware of the persistent and structural skill shortages across key construction trades for decades and the current policy approaches are doing very little to shift the dial,” Martin said.
The industry needs 83,000 additional workers to build 1.2 million new homes, according to the HIA.
Martin called for long-term wage subsidies for employers taking on apprentices, with incentives for both commencements and completions.
Small subcontractors face excessive costs and red tape when hiring apprentices, she said.
The HIA wants a dedicated construction trade contractor visa to better match skilled migration with building site requirements.
High apprenticeship dropout rates within the first two years could be reduced through industry-based mentoring and pastoral care programs.
Martin said recent reports of unacceptable behaviour on construction sites had damaged the industry’s reputation.
“Confidence must be restored to construction sites to attract the workers the industry desperately needs,” she said.
The HIA will release detailed recommendations in its pre-budget submission later this month.