Government should develop policy to attract skilled migrants: HIA

Managing director, policy and industry for the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Jocelyn Martin, stated it is extremely difficult for the home building industry to meet the demand for housing without a clear policy on skilled migration in the short and long term.

The HIA has urged the government in its federal budget submission to consult with industry to develop a visa that will allow the residential building industry to ease trade shortages through skilled migration.

Ms Martin stated population growth has “always been a fundamental part” of Australia’s social and economic development and governments must create targeted policy to attract skilled migrants to work in the building sector, while also meeting the required number of homes.

“There is an important role for skilled migration to increase skilled trades workers, particularly where acute demand emerges, as is presently the case,” Ms Martin said.

“The building trades are included on the list of eligible occupations, but there is very little take-up within the construction industry, particularly the residential building industry.”

She further stated that the residential building industry necessitates pathways to allow the long-term structural shortage of workers to be addressed via permanent migration while enabling the industry to recruit skilled workers in the short term.

“Several aspects of the permanent and short-term visas render them impractical for use by residential building businesses,” concluded Ms Martin. 

“Australia should promote and maintain a population growth rate sufficient to secure ongoing growth in Australia’s economic performance, workforce capacity, national productivity and standard of living.”

Master Builders urges government to focus on building sector

The peak industry association released its pre-budget submission that highlighted the short and long-term pressures of the sector.

Master Builders chief executive Denita Wawn stated that the building and construction industry play a “critical role” in boosting economic growth.

The key priorities outlined in the submission included dealing with industry cost pressures, supporting the construction workforce, delivering on Australia’s housing needs, investing in infrastructure, enhancing the safety of everyone in the industry, and achieving the right tax settings and simplifying regulation.

Ms Wawn stated the federal budget for 2023–24 is being formulated against a “difficult economic backdrop” due to labour shortages and cost pressures for raw materials having a hand to play in inflation hitting its highest levels in 30 years.

[RELATED: Govt urged to focus on building sector: Master Builders]

Written by Adrian Suljanovic

Last Updated: 31 March 2023

Published: 03 April 2023