Inquiry must recognise migration as essential to building Australia’s future
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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the announcement of a Parliamentary Inquiry into skilled migration, emphasising the critical role that migration plays in sustaining Australia’s housing and construction industry. The HIA is urging the Committee to acknowledge that a robust and responsive migration system is vital for delivering the homes Australians need.
Jocelyn Martin, Managing Director of HIA, highlighted the significance of the inquiry as an opportunity to instigate major reforms in Australia’s skilled migration system. “The inquiry is an important opportunity to drive major reforms to Australia’s skilled migration system — including overhauling visa categories for construction trades and exploring innovative pathways to support skilled migrants,” she stated.
The housing industry in Australia is currently grappling with one of the most severe skills shortages in decades. According to HIA’s “All Hands on Deck” report, without skilled migration, the country will struggle to meet housing demand and achieve national housing targets. Martin stressed that migration is not intended to replace local training but to complement it. “We absolutely need to keep investing in apprentices and training programs, but that takes time,” she explained. “Skilled migration is one of the few levers that can provide immediate relief to businesses struggling to find qualified trades and keep housing projects moving.”
The HIA is advocating for significant reforms to the existing construction trade visa categories. Martin elaborated on the association’s proposals, noting, “HIA is calling for major reforms to current construction trade visa categories, coupled with new and innovative pathways to attract and retain skilled workers in the industry.”
As part of their submission to the inquiry, the HIA will propose the creation of a dedicated construction trade contractor visa. This would allow skilled migrants to operate as independent trade contractors, a model that aligns more closely with the structure of Australia’s residential building sector. The submission will also advocate for overseas students to have the opportunity to undertake apprenticeships in construction trades, thereby creating a stronger connection between education and employment.
Furthermore, the HIA will recommend that the industry receive support to expand recruitment programs in overseas markets. They also stress the importance of establishing clear and reliable pathways to permanent residency for temporary workers filling essential construction trade occupations.
“Migrants are not only contributing to the workforce that builds homes, they are also part of the growing communities we need to house,” Martin added. She emphasised the necessity of connecting migration policy with housing and planning policy to achieve the government’s goal of delivering 1.2 million new homes under the National Housing Accord. “A well-designed migration program, aligned with housing and planning policy, will be key to achieving the Government’s ambition to deliver 1.2 million new homes under the National Housing Accord,” concluded Martin.
The HIA’s call for reform comes at a time when the construction industry is under immense pressure to meet the growing demand for housing across the country. The skills shortage has been exacerbated by the pandemic, which has disrupted training programs and limited the availability of skilled workers.
The proposed reforms aim to address these challenges by creating a more dynamic and responsive migration system that can quickly adapt to the needs of the construction industry. By establishing new visa categories and pathways to permanent residency, the HIA hopes to attract and retain skilled migrants who can contribute to the industry’s growth and sustainability.
The inquiry into skilled migration is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders across the industry to voice their concerns and propose solutions. The HIA’s submission will be a crucial component of this process, offering a comprehensive plan to strengthen the migration system and support the housing sector’s long-term success.
As the inquiry progresses, the HIA will continue to advocate for policies that recognise the essential role of migration in building Australia’s future, ensuring that the country can meet its housing needs and support its growing communities.