The Queensland government has launched two new initiatives that will deliver a major boost for the state’s construction sector, the new TradieStart programme and an expansion of the Small Business Apprenticeship Program will support 4,500 new trade apprenticeships.
Co-funded through Construction Skills Queensland, the dual programs target severe skill shortages across the state’s expanding infrastructure and housing sectors.
Under the new TradieStart scheme, small businesses employing their first construction, plumbing, engineering, or electrical apprentice will receive a AU$10,000 base incentive.
An additional AU$4,000 is available if the apprentice is mature-aged over 21 years old, while an extra AU$2,000 top-up applies for hiring candidates from priority cohorts, including women, veterans, people with a disability, and First Nations Australians.
Medium and large enterprises, alongside Group Training Organisations, can access up to AU$14,000 when taking on mature-aged apprentices from those same priority groups.
The state is also extending the Small Business Apprenticeship Program to deliver wage subsidies for another 2,000 construction apprentices, building on a successful initial pilot.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the funding directly addresses workforce bottlenecks that threaten Queensland’s long-term project pipeline.
“Queensland construction workers have a golden era in front of them thanks to the Crisafulli government’s ambitious infrastructure pipeline, and we’re delivering the help businesses need to get more hands on the tools,” Bates said.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls reinforced the urgency of expanding trade capacity, pointing to the state’s Hospital Rescue Plan, which includes three new and ten expanded hospitals, as a key driver requiring thousands of qualified tradespeople.
Construction Skills Queensland Chair Sue-Ann Fresneda welcomed the package, noting that TradieStart lowers financial barriers for employers while securing a sustainable workforce to meet ongoing demand.
“Queensland’s construction pipeline presents a generational opportunity for the state but delivering it will depend on our ability to attract, retain and develop the skilled workforce needed to support it,” Fresneda said.
