Queenslanders are among those benefitting from the Albanese Labor Government's Key Apprenticeship Program, which is delivering more housing construction apprentices for communities across the state.
With the Housing Construction Apprenticeship (HCA) stream of the program recently marking nine months, new data has revealed that in that time there have been 4,976 housing construction apprenticeship commencements in Queensland from the program, among 22,103 commencements nationwide.
Carpenters and joiners are the most popular occupations under the program in Queensland (2,081 commencements), followed by plumbers (764 commencements) and electrical trades workers (547 commencements).
The program, which helps apprentices to start and finish training in the critical skills needed to build more homes, provides support through a $10,000 incentive, paid in instalments over the course of their apprenticeship to assist with costs such as tools, equipment and fuel.
Apprentices receive $2,000 payments at six, 12, 24 and 36 months and on completion of their apprenticeship.
The Key Apprenticeship Program sits alongside other supports introduced by the Albanese Government to support more apprentices to start - and importantly finish - their apprenticeship, including the first increase to the Living Away from Home Allowance in 20 years.
Apprentices or employers interested in learning more about the Key Apprenticeship Program can find out more information at www.apprenticeships.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"It's great to see so many Queenslanders taking up the tools to help us build more homes.
"From carpenters to plumbers and electricians, the Albanese Labor Government is backing more Australians to kickstart their apprenticeship in housing construction, and helping them through to the finish line too."
Quotes attributable to Member for Forde, Rowan Holzberger:
"Across our community we need to build more homes for locals - what better workforce to help make this happen than Queenslanders.
"If you're looking for a new career, there's never been a better time to get your start in an apprenticeship that will deliver secure, long-term work for your future."
BACKGROUND
Facts at a glance:
- In Queensland there have been 4,976 housing construction apprenticeship commencements in the first nine months of the Key Apprenticeship Program (1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026), across 3,436 employers.
- Commencements are occurring across the state:
- 3,013 (60.6%) commencements in South East Queensland
- 1,957 (39.3%) commencements in regional and remote Queensland
- The top five occupations in Queensland under the Program are:
- Carpenters and joiners - 2,081 (41.8%) commencements
- Plumbers - 764 (15.4%) commencements
- Electrical trades workers - 547 (11%) commencements
- Floor finishers and painters - 365 (7.3%) commencements
- Glaziers, plasterers and tilers - 343 (6.9%) commencements
