More than $37 million to expand the state’s construction workforce has been included in Thursday’s WA Budget.
The Build a Life in WA $10,000 relocation incentive for interstate and New Zealand workers – a key recommendation of Property Council WA’s Sky High report – was expanded in the Budget.
$12.3 million has been allocated to extend the scheme, alongside the Construction Visa Subsidy Program, which has been extended for the third time due to strong demand from WA employers and skilled migrants.
Already, the Build a Life in WA scheme has attracted 361 skilled workers into the state.
Another 650 applicants are currently being processed.
The top five occupations filled through the program have been electricians, carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers, and earthmoving plant operators.
The Budget also includes $25.2 million to expand the Group Training Organisation (GTO) Wage Subsidy Program.
The program helps building and construction employers cover the cost of employing an apprentice or trainee.
An additional 225 apprentice or trainee places were funded in Thursday’s Budget expansion of the program.
In another boost for employers, the WA Government has extended its Construction Visa Subsidy Program for the third time due to strong demand from WA employers and skilled migrants.
The program is designed to help building and construction businesses engage skilled migrant workers, filling positions that are unable to be filled locally to help speed up the delivery of homes and major infrastructure projects across WA.
Under the program, businesses can access payments up to $10,000 to offset costs such as migration agent fees, visa application fees and relocation expenses.
Property Council WA Executive Director Nicola Brischetto said expanding the state’s construction workforce is the biggest challenge impacting the development industry.
“The availability of skilled labour is a serious concern for Western Australia’s property industry,” she said.
“Without expanding the capacity of our construction workforce, projects will continue to be placed on hold or even scrapped.
“Efforts to expand our construction workforce in the WA Budget are welcomed.”