Working Future: The Australian Government’s White Paper on Jobs and Opportunities — a document which details the Federal Government’s plans to achieve a sustainable and inclusive labour market — was released on 25 September 2023.
The Property Council of Australia, Master Builders Australia and experts from RMIT University have applauded and welcomed the Employment White Paper as it addresses labour shortages, the national housing crisis and acknowledges the potential of AI to create new jobs.
The paper states that the Federal Government will be removing barriers to labour mobility in partnership with the states and territories — this includes increasing the supply of secure, affordable housing.
A target of developing 1.2 million homes over the span of five years from 1 July 2024 has been set.
The government will increase investments in social and affordable housing through the Housing Australia Future Fund, Social Housing Accelerator and National Housing Infrastructure Facility, as well as working with the National Cabinet to support these activities through the National Housing Accord.
Property Council Group Executive Policy and Advocacy Matthew Kandelaars said there needs to be an increase in the available pool of skilled labour workers in the construction sector to meet the government’s 1.2 million new home ambition — which includes 80,000 new homes each year for the next decade in Victoria.
“We welcome the release of the white paper that highlights the need for a bigger, better-skilled workforce, as well as investments in domestic skills and training and targeted migration pathways. All are required to help the Australian Government meet its 1.2 million new home ambition and plug our national housing deficit.
“These ambitious housing goals are welcomed, but to reach them we need to have a skilled workforce, well-defined housing targets, effective and efficient planning systems and a broader range of housing choice.
“State Premiers need to join their voices to urge the Australian Government to bring in a greater share of construction and specialist trades,” said Kandelaars.
The Federal Government has also admitted that establishing VET pathways in schools is one method to introduce children to opportunities and increase its appeal as a educational option.
Ensuring that students actually complete their qualifications is another solution that the government has highlighted in a pursuit to address critical shortages in the construction sector.
Master Builders Australia commended the Federal Government’s ambitious education priorities that seek to put VET on an equal footing with higher education.
The building and construction industry has faced critical labour shortages and appropriate skill levels which dampens economic recovery and productivity growth says Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.
“Developing an informed and evidence-based roadmap for Australia to build a bigger, better-trained, and more productive workforce is critical to our nation’s ongoing success. The investments in skills and training, better integration of tertiary education, and the development of higher and bachelor-equivalent apprenticeships will help address the bias that exists with going to university over VET.
“Construction is the backbone of the Australian economy, employing approximately 1.3 million people, providing infrastructure, commercial and community buildings, and homes for the growing population,” said Wawn.
Wawn stated that the nature of work in the industry is evolving due to increasing business specialisation, more offsite building, technology integration, and complex regulatory requirements.
“Understanding the emerging and future workforce skills needs is critical for ensuring flexible pathways in the industry that meet the changing and diverse needs of workers, businesses, and employers. Master Builders is committed to a net zero built environment and investing in ensuring we have enough skilled workers to meet this transition will be key,” said Wawn.
However, Wawn also stated that the roadmap and policy directions within the paper were undermined by the far-reaching industrial relations Bill pursued by Minister Burke.
“We need to be making it easier to do business, foster job creation and sustainable wages growth, encourage new entrants, and reverse flat lining productivity – which the government’s IR Bill seeks to do the opposite.
“With 98 per cent of businesses in building and construction being small business, more can be done to simplify complex and inconsistent regulatory requirements so tradies can spend less time in the back office and more time on the tools, growing their business and employing more people,” said Wawn.
The paper also states that as robotics and artificial intelligence become capable of automating a growing share of routine tasks, there will be greater opportunities for businesses to leverage technology to make their workplaces safer and reduce administrative tasks for workings — providing them greater accessibility to information and decision-making tools.
RMIT University Research Fellow in the College of Business and Law Dr Nataliya Ilyushina said the paper is one of the first government reports that acknowledged AI and other technologies as a creator of jobs.
“No longer haunted by fears of mass job losses from AI, the government is now seeming to embrace it as a positive force for job creation and a boost to productivity, citing the MIT research that showcases a 37 per cent improvement in productivity for mid-level workers.
“A groundbreaking admission in the government’s approach is acknowledging that technology is ‘now embedded in most jobs’. This underscores the importance of technology skills and education, not just for direct tech roles like ICT managers or software developers, but for the whole economy and for every individual,” said Ilyushina.