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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationTradies' rates of pay increase rapidly
Tradies' rates of pay increase rapidly
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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.
“While the severe shortages of skilled trades eased in the September Quarter 2022, the HIA Trades Availability Index remained close to its lowest level on record resulting in the recent rapid increase in rates of pay,” added Mr Ward.
“The HIA Trades Availability Index was -0.86 in the September quarter. This is a marginal improvement in the availability of trades compared with the -0.92 reported in the June Quarter, which was the lowest level on record. Any number below zero indicates a skills shortage, and these stark results reflect the severity of the current shortage and the corresponding increase in building costs.
“Since the September Quarter 2021, the index has recorded trades shortages that are worse than all prior readings of the index.
As at the June Quarter 2022, there were over 104,000 houses under construction across Australia, a record high and 81.2 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels. Renovations activity has also shot to record levels.
“This elevated demand for home building has exacerbated the pre-existing shortage of skilled trades. The rise in the cash rate will slow building activity, but this is not expected to adversely affect demand for building trades on the ground until 2024.
“The shortage is evident across all regions and all trades. The trades in most acute shortage are Bricklaying, with an index of -1.49, and Carpentry (-1.21).
“There are two bits of good news. Firstly, the number of apprentices in trade occupations was 27 per cent higher in the March Quarter 2022 than the March Quarter 2019, driven by government subsidies and high demand. As these young workers develop proficiency, they will help the industry work through the large pipeline of work that has built up.
“Secondly, this week’s Federal Budget indicates that Net Overseas Migration is returning much more quickly than previously expected. This likely reflects both strong desire from foreigners to live and work in Australia, and some reluctance amongst Australians, relative to pre-pandemic, to live and work overseas. This improving source of labour supply will help builders and other businesses with the labour shortages that have been exacerbated by the pandemic,” concluded Mr Ward.
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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.
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.
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.
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.