State Government Build a Life in WA $10,000 incentive extended to lure more tradies to Western Australia

West Australian

13 hours ago

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.