The Federal Government’s Core Skills Occupation List, has been released, with good news for plumbers, bricklayers and carpenter joiners.
The Core Skills Occupation List provides the only viable pathway for skilled construction workers to enter Australia and play their part in tackling the housing crisis.
Roles that were previously left off the list, like plumbers, bricklayers and carpenter joiners, are now included.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, all 15 building and construction key occupation groups are in shortage at a national or state/territory level.
This includes crane, hoist and lift operators, drillers, bulldozer or excavator operators and other heavy machinery operators.
These are well paying jobs, above the TSMIT. Crane operators earn an average income of $118,000 and bulldozer operators earn on average over $100,000.
“Master Builders is pleased that some of our concerns were heard with the inclusion of key trades like brickies, plumbers and tilers,” Master Builders Australia’s CEO Denita Wawn said.
“However, we remain dismayed that in the middle of a housing crisis and chronic labour shortages, key roles in the industry have been left off the list.”
“You can’t build a house, schools, hospitals or roads without crane, bulldozer and excavator operators, who have not made the cut.”
“Labour shortages have been one of the biggest drivers of cost increases and time delays.”
“We’ve seen construction costs increase by 40 per cent over the last five years and build times from approvals to completions blow out by over 44 per cent over the same time period.”