Drop in much-needed sector to hit new house supply

A fall in apprentice number could negatively impact Brisbane housing supply. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A fall in apprentice numbers could impact Brisbane’s new home supply right as population surges and demand for housing increases.

Apprenticeships Are Us (ARU) general manager, Phil Cooksey said Brisbane saw a population increase of 72,900 people in the year to June 2024, which created unprecedented demand for qualified tradespeople to meet the need for new homes, buildings and essential services.

“Estimates show Brisbane’s population reached around 2.57 million in 2025,” he said.

“Brisbane City Council projects that by 2046, the city will need around 210,800 new homes to support the expected population growth and changing household structures.”

Mr Cooksey said beyond housing, the growing population means demand will rise for critical amenities and services, from mechanics and electricians to plumbers, carpenters and refrigeration technicians.

ARU Queensland apprentice employment manager, Robert Borg said that demand created both opportunity and challenge.

“We’re facing a serious shortfall of qualified tradespeople at the exact time demand is accelerating,” he said.

RELATED: Young couple’s $355k motel gamble pays off

‘Secret agent’ mansion is Aus’ most wanted

‘Gucci mansion’ sold in a big weekend for city’s prestige market

Robert Borg, Queensland apprentice employment manager at Apprenticeships Are Us. Picture: Supplied

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) found there were approximately 311,760 active apprentice and trainee contracts across Australia at the end of 2024, an 8.3 per cent decrease compared with the previous year.

“The most significant declines were among Construction Trade Workers (down 18.6 per cent) and Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers (down 18 per cent),” Mr Borg said.

Mr Cooksey said unless more people take up, and complete, apprenticeships, the skills shortage would deepen, right when Queensland needed more homes, infrastructure, and services ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.

“With 60 per cent of apprentices abandoning their training and fewer new entrants starting, the shortage of qualified tradespeople will only worsen over the coming years,” he said.

Mr Cooksey said the decline was partly due to cost-of-living pressures, which were pushing young people toward higher-paying, short-term jobs instead of long-term trades training.

“Young people are turning to unskilled labour or warehouse work for the immediate financial relief,” he said.

“It’s understandable, but it means they miss out on stable, rewarding careers that could last a lifetime.”

Active apprentice and trainee contracts across Australia fell 8.3 per cent in 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Cooksey said mature-age apprentices (those over 23) were also often overlooked by employers due to higher initial wage costs.

“An adult apprentice can cost an employer up to $12,000 more per year compared to a junior apprentice without a Year 12 Certificate, depending on the trade, but that’s just for the first few years,” Mr Cooksey said.

“As a result, Queensland is now grappling with a growing population and a shrinking pipeline of skilled workers.”

Mr Cooksey said in response to this, Apprenticeships Are Us expanded its operations into Queensland in October.

“ARU’s expansion into Queensland aims to help reverse this trend by connecting motivated apprentices with supportive employers and helping Queensland build the skilled trades workforce it urgently needs,” he said.

The post Drop in much-needed sector to hit new house supply appeared first on realestate.com.au.