Wanted urgently: half a million new constuction workers

Last month, Master Builders Australia released its blueprint for future-proofing the building and construction industry’s workforce in the wake of a shortage of half a million workers. We are pleased to present the full comprehensive paper in this edition of Master Builder.

Australia is facing critical workforce shortages that are impacting various industries and skill levels across the country. These shortages obstruct economic recovery and impede productivity growth. In order to meet the demands of the coming decades, we face the major challenge of attracting a sufficient number of skilled workers. By focusing on policies around training, education, industrial relations, and workforce development, we can create opportunities to build a more productive and efficient labour force.

Construction serves as the foundation of the Australian economy, providing essential elements such as housing, transportation infrastructure, and commercial and community buildings. Australia’s population is projected to increase by over 50% between 2022 and 2060, reaching nearly 40 million people, and will place a significant demand for building and construction work. Consequently, a substantial workforce will be required to accomplish industry demands.

Currently, some 1.3 million people are employed in Australia’s building and construction industry. Master Builders estimates that, in order to accommodate workforce growth and replacement by November 2026, the industry will need to attract approximately half a million workers.

To ensure our industry is equipped with the necessary workforce for the substantial tasks ahead, it is vital to both attract new talent and retain our existing and emerging employees.

Future-Proofing Construction: A Workforce Blueprint provides an overview of the workforce and businesses within Australia’s building and construction industry, our anticipated needs in the upcoming years, and the policy priorities for attracting, recruiting, and retaining workers in our field.

Brian Seidler MBA NSW Executive Director