Latest news with #BraydenLaing
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Desperate Aussie state is now offering workers $10K to move there - here's how you can cash in
Western Australia has offered skilled construction workers $10,000 to move to the state as part of the government's $12.3million plan to build more homes. The WA Government released its State Budget this week and extended its Build a Life in WA scheme. The incentive offers tradies from around Australia and New Zealand $10,000 to relocate in the west. Kiwi carpenter Brayden Laing was one of the tradies to take advantage of the program in February. The 25-year-old relocated from his home in Clyde, New Zealand, to Perth and was employed by Mundaring-based builder Brendon Scott. Mr Laign had heard about the incentive via social media and used the funds to help move and settle in Scarborough with his partner. 'It really helped us get over here. It's a good place to live,' he told The West. 'Definitely word-of-mouth gets around and New Zealand is a small place. 'We saw it as an opportunity to come over here and try to get ahead financially.' More than 360 people have started new construction jobs in WA under the scheme with 658 currently being assessed for eligibility. Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson claimed the extension of the incentive was part of a wider $37.5million investment in WA's construction ability. The WA Government also extended its Construction Visa Subsidy Program for a third time, encouraging employers to sponsor overseas tradies to move to WA. 'This investment will fund an additional 1100 workers to come in from other areas, other countries, other states, and settle in WA,' Ms Sanderson said. 'To date, this program has supported 849 skilled workers into the construction sector and supported businesses to bring them in to build our houses.' Advertising for the incentive will focus on job-ready construction workers living interstate and internationally. While the program has been successful in New Zealand, Ms Sanderson said the UK and Ireland are also a targeted job market. It's understood 70 per cent of existing applicants were from New Zealand. 'The key is the trades, not where they come from,' Ms Sanderson said. Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the government is aiming to boost housing supply. As part of its effort, it will also offer free TAFE courses to train its existing workforce.
West Australian
15-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
State Government Build a Life in WA $10,000 incentive extended to lure more tradies to Western Australia
WA is hoping to lure more tradies like New Zealand carpenter Brayden Laing to the State under an expanded program aimed at bringing in skilled construction workers to build much-needed homes. This week's State Budget will include $12.3 million to extend the Government's Build a Life in WA incentive, which offers skilled tradies from the Eastern States and New Zealand $10,000 to move here. Mr Laing, who moved to Perth from Clyde, New Zealand, started work in February with Mundaring-based builder Brendon Scott. The 25-year-old qualified carpenter quickly slotted into his new lifestyle, close to beaches, bars, restaurants and a network of fellow Kiwis. Mr Laing — who learnt about the incentive via social media — said the subsidy had helped him buy new work tools and furnishings to set up a home in Scarborough with his partner. 'It really helped us get over here,' he said. 'It's a good place to live.' He said he had told many of his mates back in New Zealand about the scheme's benefits. 'Definitely word-of-mouth gets around and New Zealand is a small place,' he said. 'We saw it as an opportunity to come over here and try to get ahead financially.' Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the scheme's expansion was part of a $37.5m investment in growing WA's construction workforce. So far, 361 people have started new construction jobs in WA, with another 658 waiting for their application to be assessed. For a third time, the Government will also extend its Construction Visa Subsidy Program, which provides incentives for employers to sponsor workers from overseas to move to WA. 'This investment will fund an additional 1100 workers to come in from other areas, other countries, other states, and settle in WA,' she said. 'To date, this program has supported 849 skilled workers into the construction sector and supported businesses to bring them in to build our houses.' Ms Sanderson said an advertising campaign would continue to target job-ready construction workers interstate and internationally. While around 70 per cent of applicants had come from New Zealand, she said the UK and Ireland were also key target markets. 'The key is the trades, not where they come from,' she said. Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the Government was doing everything it could to boost housing supply, including free TAFE courses and bringing in skilled labour. 'We are looking at it from every angle,' he said.
