25 June 2025
The building and construction industry has welcomed the Crisafulli Government’s first budget, applauding its strong focus on housing and addressing the workforce shortage.
“This Budget has delivered a housing hat trick we are hopeful will meaningfully shift the dial on approvals and empower our industry to boost supply,” Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell said.
“The Boost to Buy scheme, First Home Owner Grant boost extension, and the scrapping of stamp duty for eligible first home buyers, will all help kickstart new residential construction – which we need to reach government housing targets.
“The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund and $5.6 billion for social and community housing are also important steps towards addressing the housing crisis.”
Along with the $116.8 billion, four-year infrastructure program, Mr Bidwell said the Budget had also provided more clarity on the pipeline of work ahead.
“That pipeline is a bit bigger, with $18.5 billion allocated for hospitals and $800 million for new schools. In addition to this, we’ve got the delivery program for the venues and athletes’ villages for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a first-class problem – but as the skills shortage endures the question remains – who will build it all?
“The Crisafulli Government has recognised our challenge in finding and retaining enough people to do the work. We applaud the $19 million in additional funding to support small and family businesses with apprentice wages and look forward to more detail. This is a direct response to our calls for help for those keen to help grow our industry, but unable to cover the training and supervisory costs. The investment in TAFE Centres of Excellence, including those at Rockhampton and Caloundra, will also get more tradies on the tools.”
Mr Bidwell said small business improvement grants and the extension of the 50 per cent Apprentice Tax Payroll Rebate were also positive steps forward – but there were other measures available that could make an impact.
“We had the highest number of construction apprentice completions in the nation in the year to December 2024 (+25.4%) – and the number of new starts was also up (+4.5%). But it’s the drop-out rate that’s a worry (-11.4%), meaning we need to do better when it comes to getting these apprentices to stick with us for the long haul,” Mr Bidwell said.
“Financial incentives for apprentices at the end of their first year, and again when they complete their trade qualification, would go a long way. A 50 per cent rebate on first-year apprentice wages would enable even more businesses to take on the young people we need to bolster our industry for the future.
“The housing pipeline is full – and so are the hands of the tradies meant to deliver it. If we want to turn the numbers into homes, we need the boots, skills, and support to get it done.”
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