{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA Tradepass Advertise jobs Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

HIA welcomes apprentice incentive

Media release

HIA welcomes apprentice incentive

Media release
“Today’s announcement of a $10,000 incentive to boost the number of skilled workers in key housing trades is a welcomed response to the crippling labour shortages the residential building industry has been faced with for decades. HIA has long called for milestone apprentice incentives to grow the domestic workforce,” said HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin.

“The five $2,000 incentive payments staggered throughout the course of an apprenticeship in the residential building industry will support the retention of an apprentice and combat the concerning non-completion rates we continue to see.

“Increasing the living away from home allowance could also see greater activity in regional areas that struggle to attract key housing trades.

“While incentive payments are a key piece to addressing skills shortages, it is just one tool in the toolkit government has to address this issue and make the delivery of housing a priority,” Ms Martin continued.

“The Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System released today clearly acknowledged the complexity of the problem. The Report made 34 recommendations, many of which focused on supporting employers including the role group training organisations have in supporting small and medium business (SME) to hire apprentices. The Report outlined that 60 per cent of apprentices are taken on by SMEs. 

“Retention rates are also much better for apprentices through industry based mentoring programs, including group training organisations, where pastoral care is a key aspect. Mentors can offer support and guidance to young people entering the workforce.

“We need to attract more people to careers in the construction industry, we need to ensure that there are enough employers creating the employment opportunities and providing the on-site work experience, and we need well-resourced VET providers delivering high quality training.

“HIA’s All Hands On Deck found that if Australia is to reach the Housing Accord target of 1.2 million homes in the next five years there needs to be an injection of 83,000 trades people into the workforce.

“The residential building industry currently employs approximately 278,000 tradies across the twelve key trade occupations required for home building. The trades workforce needs to grow by at least 30 per cent to meet the Accord’s goals. That is over 83,000 additional tradies.

“We can only make housing a priority if we have a workforce capable of building the homes we need to reduce the barriers to home ownership,” concluded Ms Martin.

For more information please contact:

Jocelyn Martin

Managing Director

Joe Shanahan

Manager, Communications & Media
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
12 Mar
Taxes and regulatory costs continue to damage Victorian housing affordability

Today, HIA has released a report commissioned from the Centre for International Economics (CIE) on Taxation of the Housing Sector. This Report is an update to the work undertaken in 2019.

12 Mar
House and ‘tax’ package

Today, HIA released its Taxation of the Housing Sector (2025) Report, which is an update on the 2019 Report.

12 Mar
Housing taxation doubles in just 5 years

Today, HIA has released a report commissioned from the Centre for International Economics (CIE) on Taxation of the Housing Sector.

11 Mar
Off-the-Plan Contracts and Obsolete Restrictive Covenants

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) takes this opportunity to respond to the Discussion Paper (Paper) on the review of Contracts and Covenants released by the Office of Registrar General on 22 January 2025. The Paper explores potential reforms to laws governing off-the-plan contracts and covenants.