Master Builders Australia has released a new report titled Future of the Workforce: Skilled Migrants in Building and Construction, urging the federal government to establish a dedicated visa pathway for the building and construction industry.
The construction sector is facing significant challenges, including:
- A housing crisis with undersupply and increasing demand
- The need for an additional 500,000 workers in the coming years
- Slowing home building due to rising construction costs
- Labour availability as a major barrier
Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn emphasised the critical role of skilled migrants in the industry, stating that they are “key to building the homes, infrastructure, schools and hospitals communities are crying out for”.
To address these challenges, Master Builders Australia recommends:
- Developing a construction-specific visa pathway
- Including all trade and trade-related occupations in the Core Skills pathway of the Skills in Demand visa
- Improving and simplifying the skills assessment process
- Streamlining national licensing frameworks
The organisation argues that these measures are essential for meeting Australia’s building and infrastructure targets and boosting its workforce.
Wawn stressed that the current migration framework is inadequate, stating: “The system must be better to prioritise the skilled workers who are needed to build these homes and support the economy.”
Master Builders Australia points to countries like Canada, the UK, and New Zealand as examples of nations with construction-specific pathways for skilled migrant workers.
They argue that Australia needs a similar approach to ensure quality applicants and prioritise trade workers in high demand.
The full list of recommendations from Master Builders Australia is available in their report, highlighting the urgency of addressing workforce shortages in the construction industry to meet Australia’s housing and infrastructure needs.