The overwhelming success of the HomeBuilder grant scheme in SA - more than any other state or territory per capita - is helping drive a huge hi-vis economic recovery, with local tradies inundated with housing and construction work for at least the next 18 months.
Thousands of SA tradies, from carpenters, bricklayers and plumbers to electricians, tilers and painters, are working hard to deliver record demand for new homes and substantial renovations – fuelled, in part, by the federal HomeBuilder scheme.
South Australians have lodged the highest number of applications per capita for the $25,000 (and $15,000) grant over the past 10 months, accounting for 7.19 applications for every 1000 people in the state, according to Housing Industry Association figures*.
"We absolutely welcome the fact SA is the national centre of a huge tradie-led jobs recovery that will see thousands of hard hats, hi-vis and steel caps on the ground right across the suburbs for months to come," said Treasurer Rob Lucas.
"This pipeline of work is critical for the state's strong ongoing economic and jobs rebound from COVID-19 and fuels further confidence in South Australia as an attractive place in which to live, invest and create jobs."
"The Marshall Liberal Government's record $4 billion economic stimulus, including a $851 million 'Tradies Package' announced in last year's State Budget, also delivers an important pipeline of construction work for schools, roads, hospitals and local government infrastructure such as community pools, playgrounds and theatres."
In total, 13,913 HomeBuilder grant applications were received in SA, of which 9,563 were for new builds, 1,878 were off the plan and 2,472 were for substantial renovations.
Of these, some also received the State Government's $15,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), giving eligible applicants up to a $40,000 head-start into home ownership.
HIA chief economist Tim Reardon told The Weekend Australian that one of the biggest drivers in SA and WA was the rise in population due to pandemic relocations, which increased demand for housing at the same time locals also became interested.
"If you think builders in WA and the southeast corner of Queensland are under the pump, imagine what it's like in Adelaide," Mr Reardon said.
*SA applications per capita was higher than next-placed WA (6.67), ACT (6.59), VIC (5.25) and QLD (5.08), and well above the national average of 4.73 applications per 1000 people (based on data from April 9).
