Homes for Queenslanders: Free Construction Apprenticeships For All

• Thousands more Queenslanders to take up tools with for free construction apprenticeships expanded to over 25s
• Part of Miles Government Homes for Queenslanders plan outlines to deliver one million new homes by 2046, including 53,500 new social homes
• Builds on the over 82,000 apprentices and trainees who have accessed the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program since 2018

The Miles Government is doing what matters for Queensland, expanding free construction apprenticeships to all Queenslanders.

The new scheme– funded under the government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan – will train up to 2,250 extra carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, and electricians and more over the next two years with a free apprenticeship.

This will bring the total number of projected construction apprenticeships to more than 13,000 in the next two years. 

The investment will help more Queenslanders into high-skill and well-paid construction careers, allowing them to play their part in building more homes along with benefitting from the biggest decade of infrastructure delivery in Queensland’s history.

Previously announced initiatives under the Homes for Queenslanders Construction Workforce Fund include a $2 million Housing Construction Traineeship Fund and the $4 million Free Tools for First Years program.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Meaghan Scanlon:

“For the first time, construction apprenticeships are free to Queenslanders of all ages.

“We don’t just want more Queenslanders to take up a good career in construction, we need them so we can build more Homes for Queenslanders.

“With free apprenticeships and $1,000 cash-back on tools for first-years, there’s never been a better time to be a tradie.

“It’s a stark contrast to the LNP who shut down TAFEs and took the axe to Queensland’s public builder QBuild.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“Progressive coal royalties means cost of living shouldn’t get in the way of any Queenslander getting into the high paid hi-vis jobs created by our Big Build.

“From Free TAFE to Free Tools for First Years, and now Free Construction Apprenticeships, the Miles Government is helping more Queenslanders discover highly skilled careers that come from construction apprenticeships.”

“Labor is doing what matters for Queenslanders, while the LNP is putting the profits of large multinational mining companies ahead of the futures of Queensland’s construction tradies before they’ve even started.”

Quotes attributable to mature aged Gold Coast Carpentry Apprentice Taylor Harris:

“It’s not easy being a mature aged apprentice, as there is a lot more going on in my life with massive bills and responsibilities compared to when I was fresh out of high school.

“Back when I was in school, getting into a trade was viewed as a drop out career–nowadays that has changed a lot and I got some great advice from a carpenter friend to get a trade under my belt.

“Being a carpenter is bloody tough on the female body, but I absolutely love my job and recommend to many around me that are mature aged and looking at doing a trade.”

Free Construction Apprenticeships for All Explainer:

The Free Construction Apprenticeships for Over 25s program is available from July 1 2024 to 30 June 2026 and will cover the cost of eligible apprentices training with TAFE or CQUniversity for the duration of their qualification.

Apprenticeships to be covered under the program include:

• Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
• Certificate III in Carpentry
• Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
• Certificate III in Plumbing
• Certificate III in Gas Fitting
• Certificate III in Glass and Glazing
• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, and;
• Certificate III in Painting and Decorating

Currently, less than a third of construction-related apprenticeships are undertaken by people aged 25 and over.

For more information, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/education/training/subsidies/free-construction-apprenticeships.

Construction Workforce Fund:

Under the Homes for Queenslanders Plan, the Construction Workforce Fund has been established to support the construction industry’s future workforce – funding initiatives to increase the number of apprentices and skilled workers, and address barriers to workforce participation, with guidance from industry.

In addition to the Free Construction Apprenticeships for All program, the fund also includes:

• up to $4 million for the Free Tools for First Years program, to assist first year Queensland apprentices in the housing industry, which includes construction, plumbing and electrical. Rebates of up to $1000 will be made available for apprentices who commenced from 1 January 2024 to purchase industry relevant tools. For more information, please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/education/apprenticeships/for-apprentices/support/free-tools
• up to $2 million for the Housing Construction Traineeship Fund – delivered under the existing Skilling Queenslanders for Work, place-based framework. The fund will support up to 100 Queenslanders to undertake full-time paid work on government residential and social housing projects, while gaining a Certificate I in Construction along with the General Construction Induction Card (White Card) on-the-job. For more information, please visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/community-orgs/sqw/wst-hctf

Media contact:

Minister McCallum – Andrew Churchill 0472 645 871

Minister Scanlon – Francis Dela Cruz 0420 592 078