Building trades shortage worsens

A recently released report from the Housing Industry Association is sounding a warning the on the continuing decline in the availability of trades people.

Known as the HIA Trades Report, the document provides a quarterly review of the availability of skilled trades and any demand pressures on trades operating in the residential building industry.

The report shows the HIA Trades Index declined from -0.53 to -0.69 in the September quarter, with any number below zero indicating a skills shortage.

“The HIA Trades Availability Index deteriorated further in the September 2021 quarter indicating that the industry is experiencing the most significant skills shortage since the inception of the report in 2003,” said HIA economist Angela Lillicrap.

“Skilled trades continued to be in high demand as a record volume of detached home building and renovations is occurring.

“All regions across Australia are reporting an acute shortage of skilled trades and all trades are in short supply.”

However, it’s not all downwards, with some small gains some areas.

“Regional Queensland, regional South Australia and Perth recorded improvements in the availability of skilled trades compared to the previous quarter,” said Ms Lillicrap.

“These small improvements reflect quarterly volatility, not a material improvement in the supply of trades.

“All trades recorded a deterioration in availability during the September quarter. Bricklaying continues to have the most acute shortage with an index reading of -1.30.

“Finishing trades such as painting, plumbing and plastering recorded some of the stronger quarterly declines in availability. This reflects the large volume of projects initiated by HomeBuilder starting to reach completion.

With the skills shortage looking set to continue for some sometime, Ms Lillicrap said now was the time to consider a trade as a career.

“It is an excellent time to pursue an apprenticeship in residential building trades as the boom in home building is expected to continue throughout 2022 and into 2023,” she said.