Labor’s Tradie Incentive Fails to Meet Critical Workforce Needs

Media Release | 19 January 2026
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Hon Tjorn Sibma MLC
Shadow Minister for Finance; Training and Workforce Development; Major
Infrastructure
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The Opposition has called on the Cook Government to urgently review and enhance its approach to local training and recruitment to ensure the sustainability of the construction sector.

Shadow Training and Workforce Minister Tjorn Sibma said the Government’s $10,000 tradie incentive program has demonstrably underperformed.

Mr Sibma said a comprehensive review of the State’s training and recruitment industry was needed immediately, with thousands more construction workers needed to service a housing market where demand remains high and supply remains extraordinarily low.

He said just over 1,000 skilled workers had been attracted to Western Australia, despite the urgent demand for tens of thousands more to address the state’s housing crisis and construction sector shortages.

“This government’s flagship initiative has attracted a mere fraction of the skilled labour required, exacerbating existing delays in housing projects and placing undue strain on local construction,” he said.

“While just over 1,000 workers have been attracted, this pales in comparison to the tens of thousands needed, highlighting Labor’s utter failure in strategic workforce planning.

“Western Australians deserve a government that delivers results, not superficial measures that miss the mark.”

The Build a Life in WA Incentive was launched with considerable political fanfare with an aim to increase the workforce by offering financial support to qualified building and construction professionals relocating from other states, territories, and New Zealand.

However, the recent data reveals the program has fallen significantly short of industry targets, leaving Western Australia ill-equipped to meet escalating demands in residential and infrastructure development.

Media contact: 0417 744 922 – tjorn.sibma@mp.wa.gov.au

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