Building industry urges migrant apprentices on student visas to ease trades
Master Builders Australia wants migrants allowed to do apprenticeships on student visas to address a critical shortage of construction workers.
Building leaders want the government to let migrants do apprenticeships on student visas to solve Australia's critical shortage of construction workers. Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn said all major parties miss an opportunity here.
Labor's plan gives housing construction trade qualifications the same weight as a university degree. But none of the parties let apprenticeships under student visa settings.
Domestic dropout rates for construction apprenticeships sit at 50 per cent. International students are currently only allowed to work up to 48 hours a fortnight.
That is far short of what an apprenticeship needs. Housing Institute Australia says the change would face hurdles.
Trade qualifications are not subsidised for overseas students, so costs would be higher for them.
- 50 per cent
- Domestic apprenticeship dropout rate
- 48 hours
- Allowed work hours per fortnight
- Denita Wawn
- Master Builders Australia CEO
- Geordan Murray
- Housing Institute ACT director
Why it mattersAllowing migrant apprentices could help fill critical trades gaps and boost housing construction during a housing shortage.
AustraliaAustralia's building and construction sector faces acute labour shortages as policymakers focus on reducing total migrant numbers.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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