With the Federal Election looming, both major parties are trying to win over voters concerned about a lack of affordable housing in Australia. In the latest move, the Albanese Labor Government has committed to accelerate qualifications for more than 6,000 tradies in a bid to grow the number of housing construction jobs and boost home building. The government hopes this will help it achieve it’s lofty goal of building 1.2 million new homes in the next five years.

So, what does the plan involve, and is it the solution to Australia’s housing crisis?

How will the plan boost housing construction jobs?

The initiative, which will cost $78 million over four years, aims to create a new Advanced Entry Trades Training program. This is designed to help tradies with experience but no formal qualifications to gain certification. The program will assess participants’ existing skills and then fill in any gaps through free, individualised training at TAFEs and other high quality registered training organisations.

The government plans to target the program at those seeking work in the housing construction and civil construction industries. These industries have been chosen as they are seen as critical to increasing Australia’s housing supply. However, other construction industries will be considered according to workforce needs.

The program draws inspiration from NSW’s Trade Pathways for experienced workers program. Under that program, tradies can have their existing skills assessed. Applicants are able to receive additional and free training to gain formal trade-related qualifications.

The government hopes the new initiative will speed up the qualification process for tradespeople. Under the NSW program, more than 1,200 people have gained qualifications. They have done so in an average time of seven months, rather than several years.

The government hopes the policy will encourage older workers to consider new career pathways in the construction industry.

“Apprenticeship pathways are a key contributor to the workforce – but for adult workers, particularly those supporting a family, the thought of ‘restarting’ their career with an apprenticeship is a barrier to getting qualified in their trade,” Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles told News Corp.

What has been the reaction?

The announcement has been welcomed by construction industry groups, including The Property Council of Australia and Master Builders Australia.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn says any extra construction workers will help Australia to build the homes it desperately needs.

“We need more skilled, qualified tradies on the ground to build the homes our communities desperately need,” she said.

“Our analysis shows for every new qualified tradie, an extra 2.4 homes can be built,”

“This program fast-tracks that goal by helping experienced workers get the qualifications and recognition they deserve.”

Amid a campaign increasingly focused on solving Australia’s construction shortfall, both major parties have released a string of policies.

Labor has also announced an incentive for prospective apprentices. If elected, it will pay apprentices $10,000 in incentives to take up apprenticeships in housing construction.

An Albanese government would also invest $10 billion to partner with state developers and industry to build up to 100,000 homes, with these homes reserved for sale only to first home buyers.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has pledged to offer small to medium businesses $12,000 for taking on apprentices in critical trades.

Despite this, experts say if Australia is to truly address it’s housing supply shortage, more action might be needed.

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Article References

Gailberger, J (22 April 2025) ‘Labor promises new Advanced Entry Trades Training program to train and qualify 6000 new tradies’, NT News, accessed 24 April 2025.

Paige, W (23 April 2025) ‘Labor to fast-track 6,000 tradies to boost home building’, The Adviser, accessed 24 April 2025.