{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA Tradepass Advertise jobs Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Building trades remain in high demand

Media release

Building trades remain in high demand

Media release
“The shortage of skilled trades continued to deteriorate in December and remains the most significant shortage on record,” stated HIA Economist, Angela Lillicrap.

The HIA Trades Report released today provides a quarterly review of the availability of skilled trades and any demand pressures on trades operating in the residential building industry. The HIA Trades Index declined from -0.69 to -0.84 in the December 2021 quarter, with any number below zero indicating a skills shortage.

“A boom in detached house construction and renovations has seen demand for land, labour and materials skyrocket. These constraints have pushed out construction timeframes. As a result, skilled trades are expected to be in high demand throughout 2022 and into 2023,” added Ms Lillicrap.

“Skilled migration is the pivotal to alleviate the pressure on skilled trades in the short-term.

“While permanent and short-term visas are part of Australia’s skilled migration program and the building trades that have been in the most acute shortages are included on lists of eligible occupations, there has been very little take up within the construction industry, particularly the residential building industry.

“Several aspects of these visas render them impractical for use by residential building businesses.

“HIA’s 2022-2023 Pre-Budget Submission recommends that the government consult with industry to develop a visa that will enable the residential building industry to alleviate trade shortages through skilled migration.

“All trades recorded a deterioration in availability during the December 2021 quarter. Bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, roofing, general building and other trades have reported the most severe shortages on record.

“Brisbane, Regional Queensland and Regional Western Australia reported a small quarterly improvement in the availability of trades. These small improvements reflect quarterly volatility, not a material improvement in the supply of trades. All areas continue to report a severe shortage of skilled trades,” concluded Ms Lillicrap.

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
08 May
Signs of a pulse in Canberra building approvals

Building approvals for dwellings in Canberra for the year to the end of March have shown some signs that the market may be turning the corner but still remain well below government targets.

07 May
Low volume of home building but labour shortages linger

“Australia has just seen its two weakest years of new home commencements in over a decade, meaning these ongoing shortages of skilled trades are not being caused by home building activity,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.

06 May
Building approvals strengthen in March quarter

“There were 48,620 new homes approved for construction in the first quarter of 2025, up by 20.8 per cent on a year earlier,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.

04 May
New Government must put housing as first order of business

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) calls on the newly elected Federal Government to make housing a first-order priority from day one, any delay or political grandstanding will only deepen the nation’s housing crisis,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said today.

HIA National & State Outlook Report

A comprehensive, up-to-date, and easy to follow quarterly forecast of home building and renovation activity.

HIA-Colorbond® steel Housing 100

Review the latest activities, market share and statistics of Australia’s largest homebuilders and residential developers.

New home sales report

Understand the current new home sales and construction activity each month.

HIA–CoreLogic Residential Land Report

Understand land prices, land sale volumes, and residential lot sizes on a capital city and non-metropolitan basis – right down to a statistical district level.

HIA Population and Residential Building Hotspots Report

Understand where the nation’s population growth and building hotspots are, so you can confidently plan for your future projects.

HIA Stamp Duty Watch

Understand the latest developments in stamp duty on home purchases.

Trades Report

Understand the availability of skilled trades and the costs associated on both a national and state level.

HIA Affordability Report

Understand the financial indicators impacting the affordability of homes in Australia.