HIA submitted a response to Safe Work Australia's consultation on reviewing health and air monitoring rules for hazardous chemicals under model WHS laws. The review could change compliance obligations for building industry businesses.
Why it matters: Builders, painters, and other tradies handling hazardous chemicals may face updated monitoring and reporting requirements. Changes could affect site procedures and compliance costs.
MyLeave supports WA's construction workforce by providing portable long service leave for workers in the building industry. The scheme helps retain skilled tradespeople across housing and economic projects.
Why it matters: Affects builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other tradies in WA. Portable leave entitlements follow workers between employers, impacting how businesses manage leave obligations.
HIA report warns that a skilled trades shortage is blocking housing delivery across Australia. Without more tradespeople, housing targets cannot be met.
Why it matters: Affects builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters directly. Ongoing labour shortages mean more work but also project delays and pressure on existing crews.
The Housing Industry Association has come out against a proposed minimum tax on discretionary trusts and the related Excluded Election Trust regime. No further detail on the policy mechanics is provided in the article.
Why it matters: Builders and trade contractors who operate through discretionary trusts could face higher tax bills if this policy proceeds, affecting business structure decisions.
Master Builders Australia gave an opening statement to a federal inquiry into the value of skilled migration. The full content of the statement was not provided. The inquiry appears focused on migration's role in addressing workforce shortages.
Why it matters: Builders and trade contractors may be affected if the inquiry leads to changes in skilled migration policy, impacting labour supply on job sites.
Kennards Hire research shows 42% of Australians have attempted DIY jobs instead of hiring a tradie, later regretting it. The findings highlight ongoing consumer demand for professional trade services.
Why it matters: Affects all trade types. Suggests strong underlying demand for tradies, with DIY failures likely generating call-out work for plumbers, electricians, builders and others.
Kennards Hire research shows 42% of Australians have attempted DIY jobs instead of hiring a tradie, later regretting the decision. The findings highlight ongoing demand for professional trade services.
Why it matters: Affects all trade types. Suggests strong ongoing demand for professional tradies as DIY attempts often fail, potentially generating call-out and repair work.
WA has raised social housing income eligibility limits for the tenth time since 2020, allowing more residents to qualify for assistance.
Why it matters: Builders and tradespeople in WA may see increased social housing project pipelines, potentially lifting demand for construction and maintenance work.
The HIA warns that a skilled tradie shortage is a key barrier to fixing Australia's housing crisis. Without more tradespeople, housing delivery targets cannot be met.
Why it matters: Affects builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters. Ongoing labour shortages may mean more work but also project delays and pressure to take on more than capacity allows.
Australia's housing crisis is being worsened by a shortage of tradespeople and manufacturing workers. The number of people in these roles remains well below what is needed to meet demand.
Why it matters: Affects builders, plumbers, electricians and all trade types. Ongoing labour shortages mean more competition for workers and pressure on project timelines and costs.
A national study by RMIT and University of Melbourne found blue-collar male workers are significantly over-represented in suicide deaths. Construction and mining sectors lead occupational suicide rates among men in Australia.
Why it matters: Affects builders, electricians, plumbers and other tradies. Highlights serious mental health risks in trade industries that employers and workers should be aware of.
Multi-employer bargaining is set to begin in Queensland's construction industry. This marks a significant shift in how wages and conditions are negotiated across the sector.
Why it matters: Builders, electricians, plumbers and other trades in QLD face changes to how enterprise agreements are struck, potentially affecting pay rates and site conditions.
HIA held a major advocacy week in Canberra covering workforce, taxation and migration policy. Members were brought directly into discussions with political leaders on key industry issues.
Why it matters: Builders and associated trades could see changes to workforce supply, tax settings and migration rules that directly affect hiring and business costs.
Builders have welcomed government announcements on skilled migration aimed at boosting the construction workforce. The move is seen as a positive step for the industry, though details remain limited.
Why it matters: Builders and related trades like plumbers and electricians may see relief from labour shortages, potentially easing project delays and reducing pressure on hiring.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced migration settings aimed at providing stable skilled worker pathways for the housing industry. The announcement signals a long-term approach to addressing trade labour shortages in construction.
Why it matters: Builders, plumbers, electricians and other tradies may see more skilled migrants entering the workforce, potentially easing labour shortages and affecting wages and subcontracting availability.
WA faces a skilled trades shortage as housing construction competes with infrastructure, energy, and emerging industries for workers. The battle for tradies will determine how many homes can be built.
Why it matters: Affects builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters in WA. Increased demand may lift wages and workload but labour shortages could delay projects and squeeze subcontractor availability.
The HIA has taken housing productivity and discretionary trust tax concerns to Canberra policymakers. They warn proposed trust tax changes could hamper home building efforts.
Why it matters: Builders and contractors operating through discretionary trusts face potential tax changes that could affect business structure and profitability, hitting small building firms hardest.
HIA is using National Tradies Day to call on governments to boost trade workforce numbers in South Australia. The focus is on improving apprenticeship attraction and completion rates.
Why it matters: Affects all trade types including builders, plumbers and electricians. Workforce shortages can limit job opportunities but also increase workload pressure on existing tradies.
Queensland faces a skilled tradie shortage as residential building competes with infrastructure, Olympic venues, and energy projects for workers. Attracting and training more tradies is seen as critical to delivering new homes.
Why it matters: Builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters in QLD face intense job competition and potential wage pressure as demand across multiple sectors strains the workforce.
HIA supports superannuation fairness for young workers but opposes the 2026 Bill due to legal and technical issues with its drafting. The specific concerns relate to how the legislation is structured rather than its intent.
Why it matters: Builders and trade employers hiring young workers under 18 may face new super obligations. Changes could affect payroll costs and compliance requirements for small trade businesses.