The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is using National Apprentice Week to highlight the urgent need for more apprentice training, warning that workforce shortages are limiting Australia’s ability to meet housing demand.

Shortages in critical residential construction roles, particularly carpentry, are continuing to restrict building capacity nationwide.

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“Workforce shortages remain one of the biggest constraints on increasing home building activity, with the nation needing an estimated 83,000 additional skilled workers across our key trades,” HIA executive director, future workforce Mike Hermon says.

“Builders across the country are telling us the same thing, demand for housing is there, but access to skilled labour is holding projects back.”

Recent survey data from HIA’s small business members reinforces the scale of the challenge. It indicated that the cost and access to skilled trades were both in the top five issues, placing pressure on builders. The survey also showed that 67% of respondents said they were having trouble recruiting new staff or retaining existing workers.

Mike warns that without immediate action to grow the workforce pipeline, housing targets will remain out of reach.

“If we do not train more apprentices now, the homes Australia needs simply will not be built,” he says.

“Residential construction is a hands-on industry and apprenticeships provide the practical, on-site training that cannot be replicated in a classroom alone. Today’s apprentices are tomorrow’s carpenters, builders and site supervisors.”

The HIA acknowledges existing government initiatives aimed at encouraging apprentice uptake, including financial support programs.

“The HIA welcomes government incentives that are helping employers take on apprentices, including the Priority Hiring Incentive, along with the Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP), to help apprentices purchase tools or meet costs of living challenges while training. These incentives are working and are encouraging more businesses to invest in training,” Mike says.

“They must be maintained, simplified and extended if they are to have a lasting impact on housing supply.”

Mike adds that achieving Australia’s housing targets will depend on sustained investment in workforce development.

“All tiers of government must recognise that housing supply targets cannot be achieved without sustained investment in skills and training. You cannot set ambitious housing targets without backing them with an equally ambitious commitment to apprentice training,” he says.

“Every new home starts with an apprentice on site. Supporting apprentices today is essential to increasing housing supply, easing affordability pressures and building Australia’s future workforce.”