A new $10,000 incentive payment for apprentices is an acknowledgement of the need to address the tradie shortage to overcome Australia’s housing crisis.
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said about 50 percent of all apprentices did not complete their training and this new staggered payments approach would hopefully see the rate of completions increase.
Ms Wawn said the Federal Government had announced that from July 1 this year, eligible apprentices in the residential construction sector would receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages under the new Key Apprentices Program.
She said the new payment would be made in instalments at 6, 12, 24, 36 months and upon completion.
“The revised staggering of payments is something Master Builders Australia has long called for, so there is a financial incentive for apprentices to complete their training.”
Ms Wawn said apprentices in the building and construction industry currently received a $5000 payment, which was front-loaded.
She said this payment would remain available for apprentices who were not eligible for the Key Apprentices Program and had been extended until the end of 2025.
Australia’s building and construction industry faces the enormous task of building enough homes, commercial premises and infrastructure to meet increasing demand and a growing population.
“Labour shortages are currently the biggest handbrake on fixing the housing crisis.
“Coupled with government funding of fee free vocational education and training, there is no better time to pick up the tools and become a tradie.”
Ms Wawn said builders would like to see the payment expanded to other areas of the building and construction industry that were also facing chronic shortages and in need of more apprentices.
“Without roads, rail, sewerage and water we can’t build more homes for Aussies.”
