Construction outlook: future staffing expectations

The Department of Education, Skills & Employment’s Labour Market Portal has released responses on staffing expectations by industry sector

 Jennifer Lawrence, Master Builders Australia’s Senior Advisor, Industry Policy gives takes us through the data for building and construction 

13 per cent of construction businesses expect to decrease staff in the coming months, according to recent survey results looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on industry sectors.

Across all industries six per cent of businesses expect to decrease staff numbers and 10 per cent to increase staff.

The challenging outlook for the construction sector in comparison to other industries reflects that it typically takes around six months from an economic shock for the most significant impacts to be felt. This reflects that construction projects are booked in advance and take time to complete.

Anecdotally businesses are telling us that it is the pipeline of work booked pre-COVID-19 that is keeping them above water for now. However, that pipeline is coming to an end and new bookings since COVID-19 are scarce.

This highlights the important role that government stimulus in housing and infrastructure will need to play until private confidence increases and investment can resume. Master Builders is calling on governments to extend the first home owner grant to all new home building activity; increase investment in social and affordable housing; and fast-track investment in shovel ready projects.

Master Builders has launched Rebuilding Australia, a series of publications detailing our industry analysis and initiatives for economic recovery. Learn more, access Rebuilding Australia