{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationStrong home building activity highlights ongoing demand for skilled trades
Strong home building activity highlights ongoing demand for skilled trades
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
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
“The HIA Trades Report released today provides a quarterly assessment of skilled labour availability in residential construction, as well as demand pressures identified through a survey of home builders.
“Despite rising interest rates and global turmoil, home building activity picked up in the March quarter of 2026, placing renewed pressure on an already constrained skilled workforce,” added Mr Devitt.
“The HIA Trades Availability Index recorded -0.62 in the March quarter 2026, representing a deterioration in availability on top of the structural shortage of skilled trades that Australia was already experiencing.
“Higher interest rates and recent overseas events have yet to materially impact the pool of work under construction.
“These headwinds are expected to gradually weigh on demand but not derail the ongoing recovery.
“Even a modest lift in construction activity can quickly expose underlying structural labour constraints.
“Strong population growth and tight rental markets are expected to sustain demand for new housing and renovations, while low levels of unemployment mean home building continues to compete with other sectors for access to both skilled and unskilled labour.
“Public infrastructure continues to draw skilled trades away from the private sector and will increasingly do so heading into the Brisbane Olympics.
“The current environment highlights the inability of local labour supply to adjust quickly enough.
“Combined demand from private housing and public infrastructure is therefore likely to keep capacity constrained, further reinforcing the need for skilled migration and domestic workforce development, including increased support for apprentices,” concluded Mr Devitt.
Regional Victoria (-0.28) saw the most modest shortage of skilled trades in the March quarter 2026, as all markets excluding Brisbane and regional Queensland recorded deteriorations in the Index. This was followed by Sydney (-0.49), regional New South Wales (-0.52), Melbourne (-0.57) and regional South Australia (-0.59). More acute shortages persist in regional Queensland (-0.74), Brisbane (-0.83), Perth (-1.15), Adelaide (-1.33) and regional Western Australia (-1.54).
By trade, the most acute shortages remain in bricklaying (-1.36), followed by ceramic tiling (-1.03), roofing (-0.93) and carpentry (-0.90). Electrical was the only trade in ‘surplus’ with a reading of +0.03.
Donwload our latest HIA Trades Report
For more information please contact:
HIA 2026 2027 PreBudget Submission
The Victorian Housing Industry Association (HIA) takes this opportunity to make a submission ahead of the 2026-27 State Budget.
Strong home building activity highlights ongoing demand for skilled trades
“Access to skilled labour deteriorated further, across almost all regions and all trades, as the number of homes under construction grew in the March quarter this year,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
Renovations and the timing of NCC 2025
Industry was recently advised that a preview of NCC 2025 was published, and will be available for adoption from 1 May 2026.
Reminder - Anzac Day Public Holidays in NSW and the ACT
Saturday 25 April is Anzac Day and is an observed public holiday. In addition, Monday 27 April has also been gazetted as a public holiday in NSW and the ACT this year.