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Future Workforce Blueprint
Future Proofing
Future Proofing
Construction 2026
Cost effective policy levers to start to bridge Australia’s construction workforce gap.
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The crisis unfolding
We need to build the workforce before it is too late.
Current workforce settings cannot meet the demand created by Australia’s housing and infrastructure pipeline. The time to act is now because training a qualified construction worker takes years.
141,000
immediate construction worker shortage, projected to widen to 300,000 by mid-2027.
$242B
infrastructure pipeline and the 1.2 million home Housing Accord target at risk.
935,600
cumulative construction worker shortfall projected by FY2035 under current settings.
What needs to change
Four priority policy levers
The Blueprint contains 32 recommendations. These four reforms are the most effective ways to start bridging the workforce gap.
01
Payroll tax rebate
A $75 million annual rebate on apprentice wages would reduce employment costs, encouraging more businesses to hire and retain apprentices.
~5,100 additional workers over 11 years
02
GTO expansion
Reinstating and expanding the GTO Reimbursement Program would reduce apprentice attrition and help more apprentices complete their training.
~13,300 additional workers over 11 years
03
RPL reform and migrant activation
Streamlined Recognition of Prior Learning could activate 18,400 construction-qualified migrants already living in Australia.
~1,900 additional workers over 11 years
04
Construction Training Bond
Financial support in the first two years of an apprenticeship, repaid only if an apprentice exits early.
~24,800 additional workers over 11 years
Together, the four priority reforms could deliver approximately 41,600 additional qualified workers over 11 years.
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