Housing industry insights
Advocacy & policy
News & inspiration
Support & guidance
Member perks
Industry insurance
For your business
Apprentices
Building it right
Building materials & products
Managing your business
Managing your safety
Building your business
Other subjects
A rewarding career
Study with us
A job in the industry
Grow with us
Our podcasts
Our initiatives
Get involved
Awards
Awards winners
Industry events
Most popular products
Top categories
For your business
{{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 locationSkilled migrant system will never work for construction
Skilled migrant system will never work for construction
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 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.
For more information please contact:
Tasmania's largest builders lift output 44 per cent
"Tasmania's biggest builders put on 44 per cent more homes last year. That's not a small shift," HIA Executive Director Tasmania, Benjamin Price said today.
HIA welcomes the NSW Planning Practice Program
“The Housing Industry Association welcomes the Minns Government’s commitment to upskilling town planners in NSW,” said Brad Armitage, Executive Director NSW.
Common Contract Pitfalls
Recent QCAT decisions provide useful insight into how contracts are interpreted and applied when disputes arise. In this three-part series, we explore common contract pitfalls encountered by builders and the practical lessons that can be learned.
A new decade, a new name tops the list of Australia’s largest home builders
“Sumitomo Forestry Australia has been revealed as Australia’s largest home building group in the 2025/26 HIA Housing 100,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.