Up to 935,600 Tradies Short by 2035: A Practical Look at Australia's Building Boom for Trade Workers

News · 2026-09-10 · 4 min read

Are you a carpenter, electrician, plumber or civil worker who has thought about building a career in Australia? A new industry report gives you a good reason to look at your plans again, and to start preparing now instead of later.

The report looks at how many construction workers and tradies Australia will need in the coming years. The answer is big. If nothing changes, the gap could grow to roughly 935,600 workers by 2035. Even if every reform in the report is carried out, the country would still need more than 84,000 extra workers. For trade-qualified people thinking about work overseas, this is more than news. It points to demand that should last for many years.

A shortage built into the system

This is not a short problem caused by one large project. It is also not just a rush of hiring after the pandemic. Master Builders Australia, the industry body behind much of the discussion, says the real issue is structural. Australia is not training new tradespeople fast enough to match the work that is coming.

And a lot of work is coming. Roughly $242 billion in infrastructure spending is planned over the next five years. On top of that, the country is moving towards net-zero energy infrastructure, a change that will take decades. New homes, railways, roads and renewable energy projects all need the same group of skilled workers, and that group is getting smaller.

Infrastructure Australia has done its own modelling. It warns of a 300,000-worker gap expected around 2027, when the national infrastructure pipeline reaches its highest point. In short, the need for workers is going up while the supply is going down. Migration is one of the few tools that can help quickly.

Signs the welcome mat is already out

Most news stories about this report talk about training more local workers. But for tradies overseas, the migration numbers are the part you can act on sooner. Here is what has already happened:

The number of skilled visas granted to construction workers has tripled since 2019.
In the 2024–25 financial year, 15,524 skilled construction visas were granted. That is the highest total for one year in a decade.
In this budget cycle, the federal government set aside $85 million to speed up skills recognition for migrants who are already in Australia.
New apprentices in housing construction can now receive a $10,000 incentive, and Free TAFE access has been expanded. Both show a system that wants more people to join.

Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles has also been clear. He says more skilled migration is a main part of the government's plan, together with local training. It is not just a backup choice.

How to read this as a trade worker

If you are thinking about moving, the report has three key messages for you.

The demand is long-term

A gap that is expected to continue until 2035 is not a small window that shuts after one project ends. It suggests steady demand for carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, civil construction and other related trades for years to come.

Getting your skills recognised matters more and more

The report says that making recognition easier for qualified workers who are already onshore could release over 18,000 workers almost straight away. This is a strong sign. Australia wants to make it simpler to go from "qualified overseas" to "qualified to work here".

Policy is moving in your favour

Visa numbers have tripled, yearly grants have hit a record, and there is new government money for faster skills recognition. Together, these settings make now a good time to begin a skilled migration application.

Getting your papers in order

While you research your options, it helps to get the basics ready early. Prepare a clear CV in English that lists your trade experience. Check whether your visa or employer needs an English test such as IELTS or PTE. If a police certificate is requested, you can apply for an SKCK from the Indonesian National Police, and have any Indonesian-language documents translated into English where the visa rules ask for it. This advice is useful for any trade worker, wherever you are from.

What it all adds up to

Australia's plans for construction and infrastructure are moving much faster than its local workforce can grow. Even the most hopeful reforms cannot close that gap alone. That is why skilled migration for tradies is now seen as essential, not just extra help. For qualified workers overseas, strong long-term demand, record visa numbers and government support make this one of the best times in years to explore jobs in Australia for Indonesians and other trade workers. Take it one step at a time, keep your documents ready, and you will be in a good position when the right opportunity comes.

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