Skip to content
Building Construction, Government Federal

We must get migration settings right for tradies

Master Builders Australia 2 mins read

8 August 2024

Releasing its Future of the Workforce: Skilled Migrants in Building and Construction report, Master Builders Australia calls on the Federal Government to establish a dedicated building and construction visa pathway.

“Skilled migrants represent a vital part of the building and construction industry and are key to building the homes, infrastructure, schools and hospitals communities are crying out for,” said Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn.

“Australia faces a significant housing crisis with an undersupply of homes and increasing demand for owner-occupiers, renters and social and crisis accommodation.

“The industry needs an extra 500,000 extra people into our sector over the next few years if we are going to build those 1.2 million homes and supporting infrastructure under the Housing Accord.”

The Reserve Bank confirmed earlier this week that home building is expected to slow further due to rising construction costs with the availability of labour one of the biggest barriers.

“It’s clear our ability to train more apprentices domestically cannot keep up with demand. Skilled migrants who are qualified and ready to go will help relieve some of the workforce pressures,” Ms Wawn added.

“The workforce must be supported to grow in line with demand and become more productive.

“But the current migration framework to bring in skilled migrants is broken. The system must be better to prioritise the skilled workers who are needed to build these homes and support the economy.

“Just like Canada, the UK and New Zealand, Australia needs construction-specific pathways for appropriately skilled migrant workers to ensure quality applicants and the prioritisation of trades workers and occupations that are in significant shortage domestically.

“It is the only way Australia will meet its building and infrastructure targets and boost its workforce.

“We need the visa and skills recognition process to be simpler, more cost effective and quicker so more suitably skilled migrants can join the building and construction industry.”

Master Builders urges the Federal Government to:

  • Develop and implement a construction industry-specific visa pathway that makes it quick, easy and cost-effective for migrants with the trade skills Australia needs to get here and get out on the tools, working in a role for which they are appropriately qualified.
  • Ensure all trade and trade-related occupations are included in the Core Skills pathway of the Skills in Demand visa.
  • Improve the process and reduce the need for skills assessments for migrants coming from countries with comparable qualification and training frameworks.
  • Ensure the skills recognition process that remains is quick, simple and cost effective.
  • Streamline national licensing frameworks insofar as possible to enable workforce movement and allow for nationally accredited gap training for all licensed trades.

The full list of recommendations can be found here.

Media contact: Dee Zegarac, National Director, Media & Public Affairs

0400 493 071 | dee.zegarac@masterbuilders.com.au

Media

More from this category

  • CharitiesAidWelfare, Government Federal
  • 15/02/2025
  • 13:08
ACOSS

ACOSS demands action after 10 income support recipients died

ACOSS is demanding an overhaul of the income support compliance system following shocking revelations that at least 10 people have died after being wrongfully cut off from vital payments. “We have known for years that payment suspensions and cancellation have extremely harmful impacts on people, including homelessness, relationship breakdown and destitution,” said ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie. “Revelations today that at least 10 people have died after having their income support payments wrongfully cut off are shocking, devastating and demand an immediate response from the Federal Government. “The Targeted Compliance Framework that cuts off people’s payments must be urgently stopped and…

  • Government Federal, Local Government
  • 14/02/2025
  • 16:43
House of Representatives

Evolving role of local governments

A federal parliamentary committee inquiry has undertaken extensive consultation with stakeholders including local governments, councils and shires. The inquiry received over 280 submissions and held 16 public hearings in regional areas. The House of RepresentativesStanding Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transporthas today presented its interim report for the inquiry into local government sustainability. The vast majority of local governments that made submissions to this inquiry and participated in public hearings spoke about how their role has evolved significantly from administering roads, rates and rubbish to navigating complex regulatory environments, managing limited financial resources, and addressing diverse and sometimes competing…

  • Government Federal, Government NSW
  • 14/02/2025
  • 09:57
Autism Awareness Australia

AUTISM PEAK BODY RELEASES SURVEY, CALLS FOR FEEDBACK FROM AUTISTIC COMMUNITY

14 February 2025 (Autism Awareness Australia CEO Nicole Rogerson is available for interview) Autism Awareness Australia (AAA) has released its first national survey in 10 years, seeking feedback from parents and carers of children and young adults on the autism spectrum. The peak body is encouraging parents and carers to complete the survey and provide feedback on the key challenges they’re facing right now, as significant change is about to hit the sector. AAA CEO Nicole Rogerson said the survey will play a critical role in helping the peak body advocate for the needs of autism families across Australia. “It’s…

  • Contains:

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.