Builders back continued support for housing and energy apprentices

Master Builders Australia welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to extend employer incentives for apprentices, with a targeted focus on housing and energy.

Following strong advocacy, from 1 January 2026, employers who take on apprentices in housing and energy-related trades will continue to receive $5,000 payments to help ease the cost pressures of training the next generation of skilled workers.

BuildSkills Australia recently revealed that the industry needed an additional 116,000 workers to meet housing demand.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said: “Boosting productivity in construction starts with investing in people. Without a strong pipeline of skilled apprentices, we simply can’t build faster, smarter, or more efficiently.

“Labour shortages are the biggest handbrake on productivity and the delivery of housing. Fewer apprentice starts and high dropout rates only deepen the problem.

“At last week at Master Builders’ Building Our Future Forum, builders told us directly that workforce shortages are their number one concern, alongside the high costs of bringing on apprentices.

“Master Builders welcomes this targeted support and looks forward to continuing to work with Government to ensure the construction industry has the skilled workforce it needs.

“From 1 January 2026, incentives outside housing and energy will reduce to $2,500, and Master Builders is seeking clarification on how cross-sector employers will be treated.

“The broader built environment, including civil and commercial construction, is critical to supporting housing delivery, with skills across these sectors essential to meeting Australia’s housing needs,” Ms Wawn said.

Media: Dee Zegarac, National Director, External Affairs and Engagement
0400 493 071 | dee.zegarac@masterbuilders.com.au