Immediate Action Needed to Address Apprenticeship Shortfall and Housing Crisis

Andrew Wallace MP, Federal Member for Fisher and a carpenter by trade, has slammed the Albanese Labor government after the latest data release from Master Builders Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, highlighting the decline in apprenticeship numbers. The alarming decline in apprenticeship numbers is set to exacerbate the nation’s housing crisis unless swift action is taken. Recent statistics reveal that 2023-24 was the worst year for home building in over a decade, with new starts plummeting by 8.8% to 158,690. Detached house starts fell by 10.1%, and higher density commencements were down by 6.0%. If this trend continues, Australia is looking at less than 800,000 new home starts over the next five years, resulting in a shortfall of over 400,000 homes compared to the National Housing Accord target.

In Queensland, the situation is equally concerning. Queensland faces a substantial gap relative to the National Housing Accord target, with a shortfall of 82,835 new home starts over the next five years if current trends continue. The data also shows a worrying decline in apprenticeship numbers. Completions fell by 8.6% from 24,545 in the year to March 2023 to 22,420 in March 2024.

Similarly, apprenticeship commencements dropped by 11.8% from 47,110 to 41,520, and the number of apprentices in training declined by 2.2% from 124,280 to 121,530. Specifically, on the Sunshine Coast, apprenticeship numbers have seen a significant decline over the past decade. From 2015 to 2024, the number of apprentices in training has dropped considerably, reflecting a broader trend across the state. This decline is particularly troubling for the local construction industry, which relies heavily on a steady influx of skilled workers to meet the growing demand for housing in the region.

Andrew Wallace MP highlighted the urgent need for apprentices on the Sunshine Coast, stating, “The significant drop in apprenticeship numbers in our region is alarming. The construction sector here depends on a continuous flow of new skilled workers to keep up with the housing demand. We must prioritise and incentivise apprenticeships to tackle the labour shortage and secure the future prosperity of our community. Supporting apprenticeships now is crucial for the long-term stability and growth of the Sunshine Coast.”

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn has rightly pointed out that these issues are interconnected. To alleviate the housing crisis, the supply of housing must be significantly increased, which is impossible without addressing the current labour shortage. The decline in apprentice numbers reflects a broader shortage of skilled workers across all trades. Without a robust workforce, building activity cannot be ramped up to meet demand and mitigate the impact of supply constraints on inflation.

Andrew Wallace has blasted the situation, saying, “It is no longer sufficient to aim for pre-Covid levels of trade apprenticeships. We need more tradies now than ever before. I call on the government to implement urgent measures to boost the number of apprentices and support Australian builders in increasing housing supply. This is crucial for overcoming the housing crisis and ensuring a stable and prosperous future for all Australians.”

He added, “As your representative in Canberra and a tradesman, I am committed to advocating for policies that will address these challenges head-on. The Sunshine Coast, in particular, needs immediate attention to reverse the decline in apprenticeship numbers and support our local construction industry. Together, we can work towards a solution that benefits our community and the nation as a whole.”

We want Australians and Sunshine Coasters to own their own homes. The Coalition will take decisive action by investing in shovel-ready projects to build essential water, power, and sewerage infrastructure, unlocking new housing supply. We aim to deliver 500,000 new homes faster by cutting red tape that drives up construction costs. Additionally, we will reduce migration, ban foreign investors and temporary residents from purchasing existing homes for two years, and continue to tackle union corruption that inflates building costs. This will be achieved through a $5 billion housing infrastructure programme.

“The Coalition is committed to ensure that more Australians can achieve home ownership and secure a brighter future for our communities.”