Carpenters and joiners are now Australia’s second most in-demand construction occupation, and the industry needs more than 300,000 additional infrastructure workers by 2030 to keep pace with the current pipeline of work. If you’re studying — or thinking about studying — a trade qualification in Melbourne or Brisbane, this is the context worth understanding: the numbers behind the shortage, what’s driving it in each city, and what it realistically means for your study and career planning.
Information checked on 18 July 2026. The figures below are drawn from Jobs and Skills Australia, the Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Australia and other official sources listed at the end of this article. Workforce projections change as government policy and project timelines shift, so always check the original source for the latest figures.
The numbers behind Australia’s construction shortage
The Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) industry profile, updated November 2025, shows construction is one of the country’s largest employers — but growth is not keeping up with demand.
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| People employed in construction | 1.36 million (9.2% of all workers) | JSA, Nov 2025 |
| Employment growth, past year | +11,900 workers (0.9%) | JSA, Nov 2025 |
| 2nd most in-demand occupation nationally | Carpenters and joiners | JSA, Nov 2025 |
| Additional skilled workers needed in residential trades | 83,000 | HIA, Feb 2026 |
| HIA small builders reporting recruitment difficulty | 67% | HIA, Feb 2026 |
| Construction apprentices in training, end of 2025 | 105,790 (5-year low) | Master Builders Australia, Jun 2026 |
| Apprentices who exited early without qualifying (2025) | 28,290 | Master Builders Australia, Jun 2026 |
| Additional infrastructure workers needed by 2030 | 300,000+ | Master Builders Australia, Jun 2026 |
| Additional housing construction workers needed | 116,000 | Master Builders Australia, Jun 2026 |
The pattern across every source is the same: demand for people who can carpenter, tile, plaster, lay bricks and manage building projects is outpacing the number of people qualifying to do that work. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn put it plainly in June 2026: “These are the workers Australia needs right now to turn around our housing supply shortfall in order to improve affordability.”
Brisbane’s shortage is about to get more urgent
For students at Evantaa’s Fortitude Valley campus, the shortage has a specific local driver: the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Queensland is facing a $120 billion building and infrastructure pipeline over the coming years. Workforce analysis by WT Partnership, published February 2026, projects the state’s construction labour shortfall will widen sharply as Games-related projects ramp up:
- 27,200 workers short in 2026/27
- 43,400 workers short in 2027/28
- 46,000 workers short in 2028/29
The same analysis found some Queensland construction sites are currently averaging just 2.5 productive working days per week — a sign of how stretched the existing workforce already is. WT Queensland State Lead Jack Shelley described the Games as “not just a global sporting event – it’s a macroeconomic inflection point for Queensland.”
Melbourne’s Big Build is chasing the same workers
Melbourne students are studying alongside a different, longer-running driver of demand: Victoria’s Big Build, the state’s ongoing program of major transport and infrastructure projects.
According to the Victorian Government, more than 20,000 people are currently working directly on Big Build projects, and for every 100 direct construction jobs, roughly 206 additional jobs are supported across the broader economy. Under the state’s Local Jobs First policy, at least 10% of labour hours on these projects are set aside for apprentices and trainees — a deliberate attempt to grow the next generation of the workforce, not just fill today’s roles.
Between Victoria’s Big Build and Queensland’s Olympic pipeline, both of Evantaa’s campus cities are competing for the same limited pool of qualified trades workers.
Which trades are most in demand
Carpentry leads the list of in-demand construction trades nationally, but the shortage isn’t limited to one qualification. The trades connected to Evantaa’s current course offering all sit within sectors the HIA and Master Builders Australia have flagged as under pressure:
- Carpentry (Certificate III in Carpentry, CPC30326) — the most acute shortage of any trade, per HIA
- Painting and decorating (Certificate III in Painting & Decorating, CPC30620)
- Bricklaying and blocklaying (Certificate III in Bricklaying & Blocklaying, CPC33020)
- Wall and floor tiling (Certificate III in Wall & Floor Tiling, CPC31320)
- Solid plastering (Certificate III in Solid Plastering, CPC31020)
- Cabinet making and timber technology (Certificate III in Cabinet Making & Timber Technology, MSF30322)
- Building and construction supervision (Certificate IV in Building & Construction, CPC40120)
What this means if you’re studying (or considering) a trade qualification
A skills shortage is not a guarantee of a job, a wage or a licence — no article or institute can promise that, and Evantaa Institute doesn’t. What the data does show is that the industry itself is describing a genuine, sustained gap between the number of qualified tradespeople available and the volume of work on the ground in Melbourne and Brisbane over at least the next five years.
Practically, that means:
- A recognised qualification is the entry point employers are asking for. Certificate III trade qualifications are the standard industry benchmark referenced throughout the JSA and HIA data above.
- Hands-on, workshop-based training matters. Employers quoted in the HIA and Master Builders reporting consistently point to job-ready practical skills, not just theory, as the gap they’re trying to fill.
- Completion matters as much as enrolment. With more than 28,000 apprentices exiting early without qualifying in 2025 alone, finishing a qualification is itself a meaningful point of difference.
- Business and management skills are in demand too. A $120 billion Queensland pipeline and Victoria’s Big Build don’t just need people on the tools — they need site supervisors, project coordinators and business-minded leaders. Evantaa’s Diploma of Business, Advanced Diploma of Business and Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) sit alongside the trade qualifications for students interested in the leadership and operations side of the industry.
Government support for apprentices changed on 1 January 2026
If a trade qualification leads you toward an Australian Apprenticeship, it’s worth knowing that the Australian Government’s incentive settings changed from 1 January 2026:
| Support | Current rate (from 1 Jan 2026) |
|---|---|
| Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) employer payment, priority occupations | Up to $5,000 (two instalments, first year) |
| Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment | $2,500 over first two years (was $5,000) |
| Priority Hiring Incentive (employer) | $2,500 over first two years (was $5,000) |
| Living Away From Home Allowance | $120/wk (Yr 1), $90/wk (Yr 2), $45/wk (Yr 3) |
| Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan | Interest-free, up to $25,983, 20% completion discount |
These figures are general information published by the Australian Government, not personalised financial advice. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, occupation and apprenticeship arrangement — check current details and eligibility directly at apprenticeships.gov.au before making any decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Does a construction skills shortage mean I’m guaranteed a job after I finish my course? No. A shortage reflects strong industry-wide demand, but individual outcomes depend on many factors, including your own effort, location, the employer market at the time, and licensing requirements. Evantaa Institute does not guarantee employment, salary or licensing outcomes for any course.
Is Certificate III in Carpentry the same as an apprenticeship? Not automatically. Certificate III qualifications can be delivered as a full-time course or as part of an Australian Apprenticeship arrangement with an employer, depending on how you enrol. Check apprenticeships.gov.au for how the Australian Apprenticeships system works, and confirm delivery details for any course directly with Evantaa Institute.
Why is the Brisbane shortage specifically linked to the Olympics? The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are driving a large, time-limited surge in Queensland construction and infrastructure spending (an estimated $120 billion pipeline), on top of existing housing and infrastructure demand — which is why analysts expect the workforce gap to widen sharply toward 2028/29.
Where can I check the latest official figures myself? Jobs and Skills Australia (jobsandskills.gov.au), the Housing Industry Association (hia.com.au) and Master Builders Australia (masterbuilders.com.au) all publish updated industry data. For apprenticeship support, use apprenticeships.gov.au.
Final thoughts
The construction industry isn’t short of work in Melbourne or Brisbane right now — it’s short of qualified people to do it. For students weighing up a trade or business qualification, that’s a useful, factual starting point for your own research and planning, alongside speaking with Evantaa’s Student Services team about which course fits your goals.
Curious about a specific course mentioned in this article? Explore Evantaa Institute’s current trade and business qualifications, or get in touch with our Student Services team in Melbourne or Brisbane to talk through your options.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Construction Industry Profile (Nov 2025), jobsandskills.gov.au
- Housing Industry Association — National Apprentice Week shines a light on trade skills shortage (Feb 2026), hia.com.au
- Master Builders Australia — Construction apprenticeships sink to 5-year low (Jun 2026), masterbuilders.com.au
- WT Partnership — 46,000-worker shortfall as Brisbane 2032 drives construction productivity reckoning (Feb 2026), wtpartnership.com.au
- Victoria’s Big Build — About, bigbuild.vic.gov.au
- Apprenticeship Support Australia — Changes to the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System from 1 January 2026 (Dec 2025)
- Australian Apprenticeships — official government site, apprenticeships.gov.au