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19 January 2026
Master Builders Australia (MBA) continues to support measures that will lead to more robust and efficient housing delivery increasing supply and affordability for everyday Australians.
The peak industry advocacy body stressed in a recent submission that skilled migration is crucial to relieving the acute structural strain the building and construction industry workforce is under, as current policy settings are preventing this lever from completely unlocking its potential.
Construction trades remain significantly under-represented in migration and at the same time, Australia is failing to utilise skilled migrants already in the country due to fragmented, costly and slow skills recognition and licensing arrangements.
MBA CEO Denita Wawn further explained there is a key link between the labour shortage and the housing supply, and Australia cannot deliver its national housing, productivity and infrastructure objectives without a better-functioning migration system.
“Without reforms, the National Housing Accord target will not be met, infrastructure delivery will slow, construction costs will remain elevated, productivity will continue to lag international peers and national objectives relating to decarbonisation, electrification, disaster resilience and defence capability will be compromised.
“Skilled migration is an essential bridge that buys time for long-term domestic reforms that MBA has also advanced. Even with significant reform to local vocational education and training, it will take three to five years before additional local apprentices or graduates translate into fully qualified tradespeople and industry workers, and longer again to reach scale.
“As we continue to report, apprenticeship commencements and completions have deteriorated steadily since 2020, with many apprentices leaving due to income pressures, inconsistent supervision and limited progression pathways.
“The reforms proposed by Master Builders offer a practical, workable and immediate path to boost supply and affordability as well as strengthen the construction workforce, reduce cost pressures, improve productivity and support the national interest.
“This requires recognising construction as a national priority sector, aligning migration intake with verified workforce demand, reducing cost and administrative barriers for SMEs and regional employers, and enabling faster activation of skilled migrants already in Australia.
“The National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million homes over five years is achievable, and Australia can turn this around, with the assistance of a recalibrated migration system, incorporating the specifics MBA has outlined, that can deliver the right construction skills, in the right locations, at the right time,” concluded Ms Wawn.
Media contact: Dylan Hafey, Media Advisor
0497 330 064 | dylan.hafey@masterbuilders.com.au