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2 clusters · 2 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated

Australia trade skills shortage

Overview

Initial reporting highlighted a widening skills gap in Australia’s mining and trades sectors, raising concerns about the country’s ability to meet construction and housing targets.

Subsequent data showed a modest rise in trade apprenticeship completions, with the six‑year completion rate for 2019 entrants reaching 58.7 percent. While enrolments in most vocational education programs fell, construction‑related courses saw growth. Industry groups welcomed the upward trend but warned that the increase was far from sufficient; the Housing Industry Association estimates an additional 83,000 skilled tradespeople are needed to achieve the National Housing Accord’s goal of 1.2 million new homes.

Entities

John King · National Centre for Vocational Education Research · Housing Industry Association · Australia · Mike Hermon

Timeline

  1. 13 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Australia reports rise in trade apprenticeship completions, skills gap

    NCVER reports trade apprenticeship completion rose to 58.7 % in 2025, with construction enrolments up, but HIA says Australia still needs about 83,000 more tradespeople for housing targets.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Australia faces growing skills gap in mining and trades sectors

    Australia's mining and trade sectors report critical skill shortages; industry bodies call for more graduates and wider use of Recognition of Prior Learning to boost the qualified workforce.

Sources

theindiansun.com.au · themoon.com