Master Builders Australia has released a comprehensive report highlighting the critical workforce shortage facing the nation’s building and construction industry.
The Future of the Workforce report reveals that the sector requires an additional 130,000 workers this year to overcome current shortages.
The report emphasises that this shortfall is in addition to the workers needed to address natural attrition, underscoring the urgent need for federal and state governments to prioritise reforms aimed at attracting and retaining more workers in the industry.
Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia, stated: “While it is a significant number, this presents an opportunity for growth in an industry that is pivotal to the nation’s economic success.”
As Australia’s second-largest industry employer, the building and construction sector employs one in 11 Australians.
However, the number of new entrants to the industry each year is insufficient to meet the growing demand.
The report also highlights a concerning 18 per cent decline in productivity over the past decade, placing significant pressure on both workers and employers.
To address these challenges, Master Builders Australia recommends a holistic approach involving various federal government portfolios, including migration, skills and training, and industrial relations.
Some of the proposed solutions include:
- Increasing trade apprenticeships
- Leveraging skilled migration from similar regions
- Fostering a diverse and inclusive culture to attract new talent from across the economy
Wawn emphasised: “There’s no quick fix to the critical workforce shortages. It will require a holistic approach across federal government portfolios from migration, skills and training through to industrial relations.”
Despite the current challenges, the industry remains optimistic about its future.
With a strong pipeline of work across housing, commercial, and civil sectors, the building and construction industry presents significant opportunities for growth and innovation.
As the sector works to overcome these workforce shortages, it aims to deliver the homes and supporting infrastructure that Australia desperately needs, contributing to the nation’s economic success and development.
