Address
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location Address
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationShortage of building trades remains acute
Shortage of building trades remains acute
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
"Severe shortages of skilled trades are persisting across all regions of Australia in 2022," stated HIA Economist, Tom Devitt.
Friday, 29th July 2022
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 Availability Index declined from -0.90 to -0.92 in the June 2022 quarter. Any number below zero indicating a skills shortage and this result reflects the most significant shortage since the inception of the report in 2003,” added Mr Devitt.
“As at March 2022, there were over 100,000 houses under construction across Australia, a record high and almost 80 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
“This elevated demand, and constraints in access to skilled trades from overseas, have resulted in this acute shortage of skilled trades.
“In recent months, we have seen improvements in several international and domestic supply chain indicators, including an easing in shipping container, oil and timber prices. Central banks around the world are also increasing interest rates to reduce demand and combat inflation, and households are shifting their spending back towards services like travel, entertainment and dining out.
“Labour constraints are proving more persistent. Job vacancies are at record highs in every industry and shortages of skilled trades are likely to persist into 2023, if COVID-related staff absences continue, and overseas workers only slowly return.
“The Trades Availability Index deteriorated further in New South Wales and Western Australia across both capitals and regions. Adelaide also saw a further deterioration.
“Despite the marginal improvement in the Index for some skilled trades in some regions, shortages remain close to the worst levels on record. A more significant and sustained improvement would be necessary before concluding that the shortage of skilled trades had eased,” concluded Mr Devitt.
The most acute shortages of trades in the June 2022 quarter were seen in regional WA and Adelaide, with Index readings of -1.13 and -1.11 respectively. Melbourne had the least acute shortages, at -0.75 per cent, followed by regional Queensland (-0.80) and Brisbane (-0.86).
All trades remain in short supply and almost all saw a worsening of these shortages in the June 2022 quarter. The most acute shortages existed in bricklaying (-1.51), carpentry (-1.34) and roofing (-1.26). The least acute shortage was in electrical trades (-0.38).
“The HIA Trades Availability Index declined from -0.90 to -0.92 in the June 2022 quarter. Any number below zero indicating a skills shortage and this result reflects the most significant shortage since the inception of the report in 2003,” added Mr Devitt.
“As at March 2022, there were over 100,000 houses under construction across Australia, a record high and almost 80 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
“This elevated demand, and constraints in access to skilled trades from overseas, have resulted in this acute shortage of skilled trades.
“In recent months, we have seen improvements in several international and domestic supply chain indicators, including an easing in shipping container, oil and timber prices. Central banks around the world are also increasing interest rates to reduce demand and combat inflation, and households are shifting their spending back towards services like travel, entertainment and dining out.
“Labour constraints are proving more persistent. Job vacancies are at record highs in every industry and shortages of skilled trades are likely to persist into 2023, if COVID-related staff absences continue, and overseas workers only slowly return.
“The Trades Availability Index deteriorated further in New South Wales and Western Australia across both capitals and regions. Adelaide also saw a further deterioration.
“Despite the marginal improvement in the Index for some skilled trades in some regions, shortages remain close to the worst levels on record. A more significant and sustained improvement would be necessary before concluding that the shortage of skilled trades had eased,” concluded Mr Devitt.
The most acute shortages of trades in the June 2022 quarter were seen in regional WA and Adelaide, with Index readings of -1.13 and -1.11 respectively. Melbourne had the least acute shortages, at -0.75 per cent, followed by regional Queensland (-0.80) and Brisbane (-0.86).
All trades remain in short supply and almost all saw a worsening of these shortages in the June 2022 quarter. The most acute shortages existed in bricklaying (-1.51), carpentry (-1.34) and roofing (-1.26). The least acute shortage was in electrical trades (-0.38).
For more information please contact:
Latest articles
17 Oct
WA Health Regulations repealed
Following extensive advocacy from HIA with advice from members, the WA Government have repealed the following Health Regulations from Thursday 17 October 2024; Health Act (Laundries and Bathrooms) Regulation; and Sewerage (lighting, Ventilation and Construction) Regulations 1971.
16 Oct
Construction Forum offers focus for long term change
“The announcement of the development of a Building and Construction Industry Blueprint at today’s meeting of the National Construction Industry Forum will surface several key issues affecting the industry,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.
16 Oct
83,000 more tradies urgently needed
“Achieving the Housing Accord’s target of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years is critical to meeting national housing demand and alleviating housing cost pressures, but it will not happen without a significant increase in the construction trades workforce,” said Geordan Murray, Executive Director - Future Workforce.
15 Oct
New home sales stable in September
“Leading indicators of home building activity continue to show that market confidence in new home building is returning, as new home sales stabilise and house approvals rise,” stated HIA Economist, Maurice Tapang.