If re-elected, the Albanese Labor Government has promised a $78 million investment to help fast-track 6,000 experienced workers into fully qualified tradies — all part of the push to build more homes across Australia.

Under the new Advanced Entry Trades Training program, workers who already have experience but no formal qualification will be able to get their skills recognised and fill in any gaps with free, tailored training through TAFEs and other registered training organisations.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the initiative would help meet Australia’s huge housing demand by putting more boots on building sites faster.

“We know that when we have more qualified tradies on the ground, we can build more homes, faster,” Chalmers said. “This program is about recognising the skills workers already have, giving them a fair go, and getting more houses built for Australian families.”

Helping workers, building homes

The new program is based on a successful NSW Government scheme that helped over 1,200 workers get qualified in around seven months — much quicker than the usual few years.

Research from Master Builders Australia shows that every qualified tradie can help build an extra 2.4 homes a year. Recognising the skills of 6,000 workers could be a major boost towards Labor’s goal to build 1.2 million new homes over the next five years, and help deliver on their promise of 100,000 homes reserved for first home buyers.

“We’re backing experienced workers to become fully qualified tradies so we can build the homes Australia needs,” Chalmers said.

The program will cover residential housing construction and key civil trades needed for development, with training tailored to local labour market needs in consultation with states and territories.

Backing tradies and apprentices

This announcement adds to the Labor Government’s record on building a stronger trades workforce, including:

• Free TAFE, which has already seen around 600,000 enrolments nationwide
• $10,000 incentives for apprentices who take up housing construction work (starting 1 July)
• The first increase to the living away from home allowance in 20 years
• Extra payments to employers who take on apprentices living with a disability
• Over $60 million invested in the Building Women’s Careers program to support women in construction

Chalmers took aim at the Opposition’s track record, saying, “When the Liberals were last in Government, they ripped $3 billion out of TAFE and training. Now they want to cut Free TAFE altogether. You can’t build homes without tradies — and you can’t build tradies without proper training.”

Labor says there are now 50,000 more trade apprentices than under the previous Government, and they’re committed to keeping that momentum going.

The Advanced Entry Trades Training program is expected to kick off in 2026.

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