Budget Submission Supplementary Paper: Finding Australia’s missing tradies

It is well known that Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis. From social and community housing, rental property and owner-occupiers, there is a common restraint – supply. In October 2022, all levels of government, investors and the building and construction industry joined forces through the Housing Accord to unlock quality, affordable housing supply and build 1.2 million homes over five years starting 1 July 2024.

As a signatory to the Housing Accord, Master Builders Australia has been working constructively with governments to overcome barriers that will hamstring this enormous task. Progress is being made in some areas like planning reform and improving the investment environment.

As we quickly approach the starting gun, the biggest hurdle, decades in the making, is the workforce capacity to deliver these homes.

Master Builders urges the Federal Government in the upcoming Budget to consider better supporting skilled migrants who are already in Australia to work in the building and construction roles for which they are qualified and have appropriate work experience. The current system is too complex with unnecessary barriers and cost pressures.