29/07/2025
1,000,000 New Homes to be Built - Here's How
Build an additional 1m new homes throughout Australia – No problems at all when do we start.
The Immediate Task at Hand is to recruit Builders and Tradesmen/Tradespersons/ from overseas.
To supplement the existing workforce.
Recruiting
Recruit new Residential Builders and Tradesmen (Excavator owners and operators, Concreters Carpenters, roofers, window fixers, plasterer’s plumber’s electricians etc) from overseas - Let’s say to start with look at 500 additional Builders plus 500 Mixed Trades all with the credentials to commence immediately they set up shop here.
Should we vet them abroad or wait until they are here in Australia, or perhaps both?
Where are they located now and what type of construction are they good at?
Plus the all-important, - what Internationally recognised Builders License do they hold?
And just who is going to be responsible for this activity – the Vetting of Overseas Labour?
Vetting
So let us start with the simple task of vetting 1,000 Tradesmen made up of 500 Builders and 500 mixed trades from overseas who would want to establish themselves here in Australia.
To be fair, and seen to be fair, and above board, would we need to advertise the positions internationally, simultaneously, in all countries thought suitable. Then once the applications are in (written and electronic) we could then call on the HR experts to sift the wheat from the chaff.
First check and verify their local qualifications, then check their record of construction experience, plus a further check to see they are financially established and stable, plus a quick check of police records to verify they are in fact a (Fit and Proper Person), suitable for establishment here in Australia. All normal procedures to obtain a License here in Australia.
Get this bit wrong, the consequences are disastrous. Get it right and we are looking good, or are we?
Visas
Now when their notice of success has been passed to them, we would also help with their visa application, plus accommodation and financial support the moment they arrive. Or do we then need to start afresh as the Visa application process is carried out by a Government Department not directly connected with housing construction.
We would also like to see the 1,000 Builders and mixed trades up and running just as soon as they have been allocated to the areas most needed, either the cities or the bush.
We would wish to avoid the Visa people recognising a person as a skilled immigrant, then on arrival a Building authority requiring the recent arrival to complete an apprenticeship or spend a few years at a Tafe College before he can get to work.
So who vets the Visa Application???
Financials
Prior to submitting bids or tenders for housing projects, it is essential to have their supplier contracts established with sufficient funds available in their company's bank account. ABN needed plus Builders Licenses??
Perhaps a Bank could extend a credit a/c with say $100,000 to each of the Builders and $50,000 to each of the mixed trades, someone should ask.
As to getting back and forth to the job site a Ute would need to be provided, no issues here the car salespeople would be queuing up to provide a vehicle immediately on arrival here in Aus.
As to Building Materials, well much the same here, as new arrivals cannot supply a record of steady payment over a few years, the material suppliers would also need to have a benevolent attitude.
Application
So with all that taken care of (especially the credit check work) we are now ready for the newly established Builders and Mixed Trades to enter the established Builders world.
So let us start with the preliminary discussions with the new homeowners to be, regarding cost to build, time frames, contract conditions and construction inspection and sign offs. etc.
First question from the owners: - where can I see your work, how many houses have you built, can you supply referrals.
Second question, how familiar are you with Australian Standards of Construction, Building Regulations National and State, Local Council Building Regulations, Variations to Contract etc.
Can you imagine taking the result to the bank for their approval for a mortgage?
An Option worth considering.
Perhaps a better option would be to have the new workforce work with local builders for a while in order to settle in as it were. Just ask any local Builder if he would like to have just a few trades just arrived from overseas for him to look after. To top it off they would all be working on your new house, sound, ok?
Would you expect experienced and qualified local builders to train their soon to be competitors?
Looks like we are in for an interesting time in the Building Industry getting this sorted out
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