Latest news with #BuildaLifeinWA
Sky News AU
17-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Western Australia extends program offering tradies $10,000 to relocate to the west in bid to galvanise housing supply
The Western Australian government's Build a Life in WA program has received a major cash boost, as the state seeks to entice construction Aussie workers to relocate to the state. The WA state budget will include a $12.3 million cash expansion for the bold program, which offers skilled tradies from other states and New Zealand $10,000 to move to the state. The move comes as dwelling completion rates in the state continue surge, with hundreds of tradies already heeding the call to pack up their tools and travel west. Since its inception 361 tradies have signed up for the scheme, with a further 658 waiting to be approved. The WA government also extended its Construction Visa Subsidy program which provides employers with increased incentives to sponsor overseas construction workers to move to WA. Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the extension of both schemes was crucial to the state's $37.5 million plan to shore up construction capabilities and alleviate labour shortages in the wake of the Covid pandemic. '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.' This is the third time the Construction Visa Subsidy scheme has been extended and has primarily drawn tradies from the UK and Ireland to the state. Ms Sanderson said that a targeted add campaign would be implemented to attract more workers from other parts of the globe, with over 70 per cent of applicants currently coming from New Zealand. 'The key is the trades, not where they come from,' Mr Sanderson said. Brayden Laing, a New Zealand carpenter, told The West Australian he stumbled upon the scheme on social media and that the $10,000 lump sum allowed him to invest in new tools and secure a residence for himself and his partner in Perth. 'It really helped us get over here,' the 25-year-old said, and added 'It's a good place to live.' Mr Laing said he regularly encourages his colleagues and friends in New Zealand to apply for the program. '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.' Housing and Works minister John Carey said the state government would also continue to provide a variety of subsidised TAFE courses for tradies, allowing the states workforce to upskill free of charge. 'We are looking at it from every angle,' he said.
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.
