Positive apprentice numbers overshadowed by low retention and market uncertainty

15 September 2026

New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research showed 8,600 construction apprentices completed their training during the March 2026 quarter, an 18 per cent increase on the same quarter a year ago. In addition,16,018 new construction apprentices started out, a 9.0 per cent increase.

These positive results were overshadowed by more not finishing their apprenticeship than completing. Over the year to March 2026, 28,125 construction apprentices quit their training. This was more than the number of successful completers over the same period (28,020).

The Master Builders Australia Future Workforce Blueprint, released earlier this month, identifies retention as one of the most important levers available to address the industry’s current workforce shortage of 141,000 workers and prevent the gap from worsening in coming years.

National Director of Policy and Legal Melissa Byrne said the figures were encouraging, however, recent market uncertainty had raised concerns that conditions may have deteriorated in the months since.

“The uncertainty that emerged after this quarter, driven by the Middle East conflict, higher interest rates and the Federal Budget, has the potential to reduce apprenticeship opportunities.

“We also cannot meet Australia’s housing and infrastructure goals if we continue losing thousands of apprentices before they become qualified workers.

“The domestic training pipeline must be strengthened now. Governments cannot afford to delay action. An apprentice starting today will not become qualified for several years, meaning any delay in reform will only make future workforce shortages worse,” said Ms Byrne.

The independently reviewed Workforce Blueprint makes 32 recommendations. Key measures to improve apprentice retention include:

• Pilot a Construction Training Bond for critical construction occupations, paired with mandatory minimum supervisory standards, to create a completion incentive that strengthens as the apprentice progresses;
• Extend and expand the Group Training Organisation Reimbursement Program to address the award wage–charge-out rate gap that drives early attrition; and,
• Introduce a Commonwealth payroll tax rebate for employer-paid apprentice wages in critical occupations, removing a structural cost barrier that disproportionately affects small and medium construction businesses.

These and the Blueprint’s other recommendations would complement the current Key Apprenticeship Program, which also must be sustained and expanded.

Media contact: Dylan Hafey, Adviser, Media & Government Relations

0497 330 064 | dylan.hafey@masterbuilders.com.au