Property Council backs added trades; Master Builders criticises exclusion of machinery operators
The Australian government’s revised core skills occupation list has drawn mixed reactions from the construction sector, with industry leaders welcoming the inclusion of key trades while criticising the exclusion of essential machinery operator roles amid the nation’s chronic labour shortages.
The Property Council of Australia welcomed the addition of trades such as plumbers, bricklayers, and carpenters to the skilled occupation list, noting it as a critical step toward addressing the acute skills gap in the housing construction industry.
Mike Zorbas (pictured above left), chief executive of the Property Council, said the inclusion, paired with the government’s focus on technical and further education (TAFE) training, could help alleviate workforce challenges in delivering essential housing and infrastructure projects.
“Over the last 20 years, only 2% of migrants coming to Australia had visas for construction jobs during a surge of welcome population growth, mega projects, and housing need,” Zorbas said. “We need to become a magnet for global construction talent, and we commend the government for listening to industry concerns and taking these first steps.”
However, another industry body expressed disappointment that roles such as crane operators, bulldozer operators, and other heavy machinery operators were excluded from the updated list, despite widespread labour shortages across the construction sector.
Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn (pictured above right) acknowledged the progress made with the inclusion of core trades but criticised the government’s failure to address gaps in machinery operator roles, which are vital for large-scale construction projects.
“You can’t build houses, schools, hospitals, or roads without crane, bulldozer, or excavator operators, who have not made the cut,” Wawn said. “Labour shortages are driving up costs and delaying projects. Construction costs have increased by 40% the last five years, and build times have blown out by over 44 per cent in the same period.”
Wawn emphasised that these excluded roles are well-paying, with crane operators earning an average of $118,000 annually and bulldozer operators earning over $100,000. She called the omission a missed opportunity to show stronger government commitment to resolving Australia’s housing crisis.
While the revised list has addressed some longstanding concerns, industry leaders agree that further action is required to plug critical workforce gaps and support the timely delivery of housing and infrastructure projects.
Want to be regularly updated with mortgage news and features? Get exclusive interviews, breaking news, and industry events in your inbox – subscribe to our FREE daily newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
