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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationSkilled migrant system will never work for construction
Skilled migrant system will never work for construction
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“The skilled migrant system needs a complete overhaul. The visa options available for construction are not working.
"Data from the Department of Home Affairs shows just 1,346 workers in construction trades have been granted temporary work visas in the nine months to March 2024.
“The shortage of skilled workers is a major impediment to the supply of housing. Labour shortages are resulting in project delays which add to the cost of construction.
“Risks associated with labour shortages are causing businesses to shelve projects that could deliver the housing that Australia needs.
“The residential building industry is just one part of Australia’s construction landscape. Businesses in the housing industry are competing with businesses delivering commercial buildings and infrastructure construction projects, and the mining industry.
“This competition has become even more fierce given the growth in government investment in projects linked to the transition to clean energy, and the long list of other infrastructure projects underway around the country.
“Australia’s 1.2 million housing supply target can only be achieved if the capacity of the construction industry continues to grow and meet the needs of all these sectors.
“Providing career opportunities for local workers should always be the priority, however, this alone will not see the workforce grow quickly enough.
“The skilled migration system has a role to play in enabling businesses to source workers from overseas to supplement the local workforce and fill skills gaps when they arise.
“The temporary work visa system was touted as a demand driven system, however, it is anything but.
“The rebound in immigration as borders reopened included a lift in the number of construction trades workers with temporary work visas returning to Australia. However, the numbers arriving are still very small and very few are sponsored by businesses in the residential building industry.
“If the Government is truly committed to seeing the Housing Accord target achieved more must be done to train local workers and enable industry to make better use of the skilled migration system,” concluded Ms Martin.
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Detached house approvals picking up
“There were 9,490 detached homes approved in the month of April 2025, up by 3.3 per cent compared to the previous month,” stated HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang.
State Budget is a missed opportunity to stimulate housing
The Treasurer has handed down the 2025/26 Tasmanian Budget. The Budget focuses on alleviating cost of living pressures, health, education and infrastructure, while mapping out a path to a fiscal balance surplus in 2032/2033.
HIA supports bipartisan approach to planning reform NSW
“The NSW planning system has failed to deliver the number of homes we desperately need and we fully support removing the politics from housing, to address this growing crisis,” said Brad Armitage, HIA Executive Director NSW.
Opposition pledge to remove stamp duty for first home buyers welcomed (Vic)
The Victorian Opposition’s announcement that it would remove stamp duty for first-home buyers spending up to $1 million on a new or existing home if elected at next year’s state election, is a positive step towards improving home affordability,” says Steven Wojtkiw, HIA Victoria Deputy Executive Director.