Australia's Prime Minister pledges cash incentives for construction apprentices
CANBERRA: Australia's Prime Minister has pledged cash incentives for apprentices in residential construction to boost home building.
Anthony Albanese announced the election policy in his first major speech of 2025 to the National Press Club on Friday, stating it would support the next generation of trades workers, known as 'tradies' in Australia, and enhance the construction workforce. Under the 626.9 million Australian dollar ($395.4 million) policy, trades apprentices in residential construction would receive 10,000 AUD ($6,308) in five instalments over their apprenticeship.
"We recognise the next generation of tradies, the people we're counting on to build the new homes we need, are under significant financial pressure," Albanese said. "Too many leave training because they can't afford to stay.
Our government wants to encourage more Australians to get on the tools and stay in construction." Albanese's Labor Party government in 2023 set a goal of building 1.2 million new homes in Australia over five years to 2029 to address the country's housing affordability crisis.
The industry body Master Builders Association on Wednesday reported that construction began on 165,000 new homes in the 12 months to September 2024. Denita Wawn, chief executive of the association, said that at the current pace, 825,000 new homes will be built over the five years.
An advisory group of industry leaders established by Albanese's government stated that achieving the 1.2 million goal would require an additional 90,000 residential construction workers.
By RSS/Xinhua
