Monday 11 December 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Property Council calls for sharp focus on construction trades to get the right mix of skilled migration
The Property Council of Australia has urged for a sharper focus on the mix of skilled migrants coming into Australia to ensure that industry has the labour capacity to deliver the 1.2 million new homes demanded by the National Cabinet.
Despite the proposed balanced reduction in migration numbers by 185,000 to 2027, a clear focus on skills shortages and labour market analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia is welcomed.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said market capacity and labour scarcity are the key construction cost drivers to the end of the decade and these could not be solved by training and apprenticeships programs alone.
“Adjusting up the mix of skilled migrants in a smaller intake with a greater emphasis on construction trades is vital for building Australia’s future homes,” Mr Zorbas.
“The Property Council looks forward to working with Jobs and Skills Australia to ensure that this occurs.
“We have one shot at getting our housing crisis under control.
“Over the past 20 years, only 1.8 per cent of permanent migrants have arrived employed in construction trades and these trades are not in the top 10 occupations for either permanent or temporary migration.
“Every 1,000 new skilled migrants who come to Australia bring $120 million in economic benefits.
“Given the benefits that skilled migration brings the nation, today’s announcement is a down payment, a temporary slowing of migration, that must be followed by a clear and targeted focus on welcoming the right workers who will build the homes we need.
“In Victoria alone, to deliver the state government’s ambitious target of 80,000 new homes every year across the next decade will require another 191,000 people in the construction workforce by 2034,” he said.
ENDS
Media Contact: Rhys Prka | 0425 113 273 | [email protected]
Ellie Laing-Southwood | 0416 007 830 | [email protected]