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 locationApprentice subsidies just one part of the housing solution
Apprentice subsidies just one part of the housing solution
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.
Speaking to more than 300 industry stakeholders, the Premier outlined the WA Government’s focus on land, labour, and planning reform as key priorities heading into the 2026–27 State Budget.
The Premier announced $19.6 million to extend the GTO Wage Subsidy Program funding that will support an additional 330 apprentices and assist in maintaining their employment throughout their training.
HIA WA Executive Director Michael McGowan said the announcement provides confidence during a period of economic uncertainty.
“Through increasingly uncertain times, funding certainty for apprentice programs is welcomed and desperately needed.
“An apprenticeship is a significant commitment for both the apprentice and the host employer. Having funding certainty across all four years is essential,” said Mr McGowan.
The Premier reinforced that land availability, labour supply, and planning reform remain central to the Government’s agenda to support improved housing supply outcomes.
Mr McGowan said these priorities align with the challenges facing the residential building industry.
“Land and labour remain the biggest barriers to housing supply, and these challenges continue to impact housing affordability.
"Over the past five years, 40,000 Western Australians have commenced an apprenticeship or traineeship—an encouraging trend that must continue," said Mr McGowan.
“These numbers show that more people are considering an apprenticeship and it is no longer viewed as a distant second to university.
“We are seeing a growing number of people from all backgrounds wanting to start an apprenticeship, driven by the incredible pipeline of work expected in Western Australia over the next decade."
However, Mr McGowan warned that strong apprenticeship demand must be matched by employer capacity.
A recent HIA Business Conditions Survey found 64% of WA respondents have considered scaling back their business due to red tape, while 46% do not intend to hire additional staff this year, despite significant demand for housing.
“Employing an apprentice is a big commitment for a small building business.
“Providing financial support is the State Government’s acknowledgement of this commitment and the critical role that builders and small businesses play in increasing housing supply and improving affordability.
"While apprentice subsidies are essential, they must form part of a broader set of reforms to ensure Western Australia can meet its future housing needs," concluded Mr McGowan.
For more information please contact:
Government delays ATO credit card payment changes
The Federal Government has announced that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will continue to accept credit card payments for tax liabilities until the end of the 2026-27 financial year, delaying changes that were previously due to take effect on 1 December.
Government provides breathing space for builders and tradies on ATO credit card ban
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Federal Government's stepping in and agreeing to delay the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) proposed ban on credit card payments, providing builders, tradies and suppliers with much-needed breathing space while a longer-term solution is developed.
HIA Victoria not failing housing targets as badly as others is not success
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says the Victorian results in the HIA National Housing Accord Update released yesterday, while not as poor as some other states, highlight the urgent need for a reset in housing policy after the upcoming state election.
HIA Safety Summit headlines National Safe Work Month
HIA’s annual Safety Summit is being held today in Adelaide (8 October) and will bring together industry leaders, regulators and workplace safety experts, providing practical guidance to help residential builders and tradies create safer worksites and support compliance in an ever-changing world.