Labor’s $10,000 tradie incentive imports more than 1000 skilled workers west, falls flat on industry target

More than 1000 “$10,000” Kiwi and Eastern States tradies moved to WA last year attracted by the State Government incentives but the housing industry warns this is still tens of thousands fewer than the State needs. The Cook Government revealed this week its Build a Life WA programme, which offers $10,000 in incentives for qualified, skilled workers to move to the west, has resulted in 1146 workers from New Zealand and interstate moving over. Acting Skills and TAFE minister Stephen Dawson told The West Australian that equated to three tradies a day. “That means more bricklayers, tilers, and plasterers on the tools in WA, helping get houses to market, quicker,” he said. But while welcoming the new arrivals, Housing Industry Association WA boss Michael McGowan said at least 12,000 new tradies a year were needed to tackle WA’s housing crisis and work in other areas of the industry. Mr McGowan warned that a huge pipeline of government projects, including the $20 billion AUKUS build at Henderson — and massive interstate projects — would make it even tougher to beef up numbers. “Boots on the ground is industry’s biggest challenge,” he said. “With mining, with Brisbane (Olympics) coming up, we need to keep pushing and aiming for those 12,000 people entering the construction workforce every year to make sure we can keep up with the demand in WA.” The Cook Government has a huge infrastructure program outlined for the next three years, including new emergency departments at Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner and Midland hospitals slated to be built by 2028-29. The government also hopes to complete a $217 million development at Burswood Peninsula – Perth Park – and the $2 billion new maternity hospital at Murdoch by the next election in March 2029. These government projects alone will require thousands of skilled and unskilled workers in WA’s construction industry – and are in addition to the redevelopment of the Henderson shipyards which according to the Federal Government will create require 10,000 workers. Mr McGowan said though programs to move people from interstate and overseas had been successful, more work was needed. “Eight thousand to 9000 of those (12,000 needed) will be apprentices,” he said. “They will take a little while to come through the system and then the other 3000 we need to look at ways to continue to attract interstate and overseas trades who can have an immediate impact on the workforce here.” Mr Dawson said encouraging young people into trades jobs by making TAFE more affordable was also a priority. “These incentives complement other initiatives, including fee-free and low-fee TAFE courses, which are making it easier than ever for Western Australians to learn the skills they need to build the houses we need,” he said.