WA needs more tradies to build the homes we need
WA faces a skilled trades shortage as housing construction competes with infrastructure, energy, and emerging industries for workers. The battle for tradies will determine how many homes can be built.
Will WA's tradie shortage slow down home building in my area?
Affects builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters in WA. Increased demand may lift wages and workload but labour shortages could delay projects and squeeze subcontractor availability.
Key takeaways
- WA's housing sector is competing with infrastructure, energy and new industries for a limited pool of skilled tradies.
- The shortage of tradies is expected to directly limit how many homes WA can build.
- Sectors like energy and infrastructure often pay more, making it harder for housing builders to attract workers.
- Solving the labour shortage will likely require investment in training and potentially attracting interstate or oversea…
Related
Advancing the industry's case in Canberra
HIA held a major advocacy week in Canberra covering workforce, taxation and migration policy. Members were brought directly into discussions with political leaders on key industry issues.
Why it matters: Builders and associated trades could see changes to workforce supply, tax settings and migration rules that directly affect hiring and business costs.
Migration settings will help build more homes
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced migration settings aimed at providing stable skilled worker pathways for the housing industry. The announcement signals a long-term approach to addressing trade labour shortages in construction.
Why it matters: Builders, plumbers, electricians and other tradies may see more skilled migrants entering the workforce, potentially easing labour shortages and affecting wages and subcontracting availability.
South Australia needs more tradies
HIA is using National Tradies Day to call on governments to boost trade workforce numbers in South Australia. The focus is on improving apprenticeship attraction and completion rates.
Why it matters: Affects all trade types including builders, plumbers and electricians. Workforce shortages can limit job opportunities but also increase workload pressure on existing tradies.