Which Australian States Have the Highest Demand for Construction Workers?

Australia’s construction sector is currently experiencing strong demand nationwide, but some states face especially acute shortages of trades and skilled construction workers. If you’re considering migrating, changing careers, or taking up construction work in Australia, understanding where demand is highest can help you choose the best location. Australian states have the highest demand for construction workers.

 

Why Construction Worker Demand Is Rising in Australia

Before we dive into states, here are key reasons driving demand:

• Large infrastructure projects: Roads, bridges, rail, affordable housing, and public transport investments.
• Housing shortages: Need for many new homes to meet population growth and affordability targets.
• Major events & upcoming developments: Olympics in 2032 (Queensland), urban expansion.
• Skills gaps / trade shortages: Many workers retiring, fewer new entrants, challenges in apprenticeships.
• Regional growth & renewable energy: Remote and regional areas need skills for renewable projects, energy, mining infrastructure.

Sources like the Infrastructure Australia report show there’s a national shortfall of infrastructure workers with regional areas showing growing demand.

 

Top Australian States with Highest Demand for Construction Workers

1. Queensland (QLD)

• Needs about 50,000 additional construction workers over the next few years.
• Key drivers: housing & infrastructure pipelines, 2032 Olympics projects.

2. New South Wales (NSW)

• Labour shortages affecting home building targets under the National Housing Accord.
• Ongoing demand for skilled trades.

3. Victoria (VIC)

• Strong demand in Melbourne and suburbs for civil works and housing.
• Active infrastructure and commercial construction projects.

4. Western Australia (WA)

• Rising demand in mining, energy, remote infrastructure, and public works.
• Shortage of heavy industry trade.

5. Tasmania (TAS)

• Infrastructure investment in renewables, housing, and accommodation projects.
• Severe shortage of supervisors and project managers.

6. Northern Territory (NT)

• Fastest annual growth in construction among states/territories.
• High demand for remote infrastructure and housing.

7. South Australia (SA)

• Ongoing civil and public infrastructure projects.
• Strong urban housing demand in Adelaide.

8. ACT / Canberra

• Public projects including institutional buildings, education, and health facilities.
• Smaller but steady demand for skilled construction workers.

 

 

High-Demand Construction Jobs in Each State

State / Territory	Construction Roles in Highest Demand
Queensland (QLD)	Carpenters, painters, electricians, concreters, site managers, tradies for housing & infrastructure
New South Wales (NSW)	Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, bricklayers, site supervisors, project engineers
Victoria (VIC)	Estimators, project managers, site managers, civil infrastructure workers, commercial fit-out trades
Western Australia (WA)	Welders, boilermakers, heavy structural trades, electricians, project engineers in energy & resources
Tasmania (TAS)	Project managers, contract administrators, tradespeople for residential & regional infrastructure
Northern Territory (NT)	Site managers, tradies for remote work, civil construction, HVAC, plumbing in remote areas
South Australia (SA)	Civil estimators, project managers, site supervisors, residential trades like carpentry & plumbing
ACT / Canberra	Project managers, site managers, contract administrators, civil engineers

 

Regional vs Metro Construction Demand

Region Type	Characteristics	Opportunities
Metro Areas	High-density projects, complex infrastructure	Higher salaries, advanced roles
Regional Areas	Housing, hospitals, roads, renewable energy	Relocation incentives, entry-level jobs

States like Queensland and WA offer strong regional incentives, including:

• Relocation grants
• Priority visa processing for migrants
• Subsidized housing for workers

Average salaries for different Construction Roles Nationwide

Role	Average Salary (AUD)
Civil Engineer	$95,000–$130,000
Carpenter	$70,000–$90,000
Electrician	$80,000–$110,000
Site Supervisor	$100,000–$140,000
Plant Operator	$65,000–$85,000
Quantity Surveyor	$90,000–$120,000
Project Manager	$120,000–$160,000

 

How Big Is the Construction Worker Shortage?

Here are some numbers to give scale:

• Queensland forecasts a shortfall of 50,000 construction workers in FY2026-27 to meet its housing and infrastructure pipeline.
• Infrastructure Australia in 2024 estimated there were about 197,000 infrastructure workers shortages, with trade & labour being 62% and engineers/architects/project managers making up the rest.
• NSW needs tens of thousands more tradespeople in plumbing, carpentry, electrical just to keep up with housing targets.

Government Investment in Construction

Australia’s federal and state governments are investing heavily in construction to stimulate the economy and address infrastructure gaps.

Key projects by state:

State	Major Projects
QLD	Cross River Rail, Olympic venues
NSW	Western Sydney Airport, Metro West
VIC	Suburban Rail Loop, Housing Victoria
WA	Pilbara mining infrastructure, Perth upgrades
SA	Defense precincts, green housing

These projects are expected to generate tens of thousands of jobs through 2026 and beyond.

 

Emerging Construction Technologies Reshaping Australia’s Job Market

As Australia’s construction sector embraces innovation, new technologies are transforming how projects are designed, built, and managed. This shift is creating demand for tech-savvy professionals and redefining traditional roles.

 

Key Technologies Driving Change

• Building Information Modeling (BIM): Enhances collaboration and project accuracy
• Drones & Robotics: Used for surveying, inspections, and automated tasks
• AI & Machine Learning: Optimizes scheduling, budgeting, and risk management
• Augmented Reality (AR): Improves training and on-site visualization

New Roles Emerging

Role	Description
BIM Coordinator	Manages digital models and project data
Drone Operator	Conducts aerial site surveys
Construction Technologist	Integrates tech into project workflows
Sustainability Analyst	Ensures compliance with green standards

 

How to Get Construction Jobs in High-Demand States

Whether you're a local job seeker or a skilled migrant, here’s how to get started:

For Locals

• Enroll in TAFE or apprenticeship programs
• Get licensed through state regulators
• Apply for roles via Seek, Indeed, or state job boards

For Migrants

• Apply for a Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
• Get a positive skills assessment (e.g., TRA, Engineers Australia)
• Secure employer sponsorship or state nomination

Regional Incentives and Benefits for Construction Professionals

1. Western Australia (WA):

• Build a Life in WA Incentive: Up to AUD 10,000 for skilled construction workers relocating to WA.
• Construction Visa Subsidy Program: Grants up to AUD 10,000 to help cover visa and relocation costs.

2. Northern Territory (NT):

• Housing Construction Apprenticeship Program: AUD 10,000 in incentive payments for eligible apprentices during their training.

Conclusion

Australia’s construction sector is in the midst of a significant worker shortfall. States like Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, and Victoria are experiencing some of the highest demand, especially for trades like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, site management, concreting, and project engineering.

If you’re a construction worker, tradie, or engineer willing to move, these states offer some of the best opportunities. Pair your skills with proper credentials, stay informed of local licensing, and be ready to work where the demand is highest. That way, you’ll not only find job security but potentially better pay and career growth.