“During the September 2017 quarter, the HIA Trades Availability Index indicated that there is a sufficient supply of skilled trades available to the housing industry,” said HIA’s Senior Economist, Shane Garrett.
According to the HIA, in most situations, the trades required are readily available on the market. The HIA Trades Report provides a quarterly review of the availability of skilled trades and any price pressures on trades operating in the residential building industry.
“New dwelling starts reached a record high during 2016. Many of these homes are still in the process of being completed – ensuring that demand is healthy for the relevant trades, particularly bricklayers,” Mr Garrett said.
“The latest report indicates that conditions with respect to demand for trades varies on a geographic basis. It is strongest in east coast markets like Sydney and Brisbane. In Adelaide and Perth, there is a much greater abundance of skilled trades relative to demand locally.
“With new home building in the process of falling back, demand for trades is likely to receive some support from the recovery in non-residential building – the supply of skilled trades will remain balanced.
“This means that for people thinking of building a house, there is hardly a better time than now,” concluded Shane Garrett.
