There are growing calls for more skilled migrants to help fill critical gaps in Australia’s construction industry. Migrant workers currently make up around a quarter of the sector’s workforce, but these numbers are declining. In the past few years, only about 5 per cent of new entrants have come from overseas. Industry groups warn that unless migration pathways are improved, Australia will struggle to meet its housing and infrastructure targets. With every major trade now listed in shortage, experts say the nation faces the risk of longer project delays, rising costs and an even deeper housing crisis.

So, what’s behind this issue, and what challenges does it present?

What’s behind the issue?

Experts say that part of the challenge in attracting more skilled migrants is the difficulty in getting overseas qualifications recognised and the time-consuming nature of this process. In some cases, it can take 12 to 18 months to have qualifications accepted. This process can cost a lot of money, and in some cases, gap training is required.

By contrast, New Zealand and Canada have streamlined the acceptance of foreign qualifications. The need to speed up this process in Australia was identified at the government’s recent economic roundtable. At the forum, industry leaders and unions urged policymakers to prioritise reforms that would bring skilled tradespeople into the country more quickly. Without these changes, Australia risks losing talent to countries with more efficient systems.

What are the impacts?

Denita Wawn, Master Builders of Australia CEO, says a lack of skilled migrants is creating workforce shortages. These will make it difficult for the country to meet its housing targets.

“We simply have not had enough skilled migrants coming into this country to help us build what we need to build to resolve our housing crisis,” she told the ABC.

“Every single building and construction trade is actually deemed in shortage at the moment.”

A survey revealed that 85 per cent of Master Builders members say they do not have the construction workforce required to meet their needs. This shortage has also contributed to a significant increase in construction costs. This places further pressure on housing affordability and delaying key infrastructure projects.

Industry leaders warn that unless the workforce shortfall is addressed, Australia could fall behind on its ambitious target of building 1.2 million new homes over the next five years. The shortage is also being felt on large-scale infrastructure projects. These include transport, energy and health facilities, where labour demand continues to grow. Governments at both state and federal levels are under pressure to deliver reforms not only to migration but also to local training and apprenticeship programs.

With so many trades now officially listed as shortage occupations, the demand for qualified workers has never been greater. For job seekers, this means opportunities are opening across the industry. These range from apprenticeships to senior trades and project management roles. In particular, carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers, electricians and surveyors remain in especially high demand.

Apprenticeships have been flagged as one long-term solution, but the industry says completion rates remain too low to meet demand. That’s why migration, local training and stronger workforce planning will all need to work in tandem if the sector is to avoid bottlenecks.

Ensuring skills and experience are clearly presented is essential to standing out in this competitive but opportunity-rich market. Both local workers and migrants looking to transition into the sector are being encouraged to highlight relevant qualifications, transferable skills and industry certifications as employers look to fill urgent gaps.

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Article References

Rachwarni, M (2 November 2024) ‘Australian construction industry calls for skilled migration overhaul to ease ‘desperate’ shortage of tradies’, The Guardian, accessed 18 September 2025.

Van Vonderen, J & Twyford, L (16 September 2025) ‘Building industry wants more skilled migrants to address housing crisis’, ABC News, accessed 18 September 2025.