Eastern states and Kiwi tradies targeted in State Government’s push to move workers to WA with $10,000 bonus

Kiwi tradies could be the next target of State Government’ efforts to get more boots on the ground of WA building sites. Premier Roger Cook was blunt in State Parliament on Wednesday, rolling out the welcome mat as part of efforts to reduce Perth’s housing shortage and construction delays. “Get off your butt and come to WA,” he said, after confirming plans to offer a $10,000 cash carrot to lure tradespeople from the Eastern States. The ‘Build a Life in WA’ incentive will be available to cover relocation costs from January and Training Minister Simone McGurk has already indicated it will consider expanding it. “The question of New Zealand is something that’s under consideration,” she said. “We want to train people here in Western Australia but we also want to attract people, because we need people who have got those qualifications now. “So we will look at New Zealand because we know that WA is a very attractive proposition.” The Government also announced $21.6 million to expand wage subsidies for builders to take on more apprentices, like carpentry apprentice Dean Claasen who said the scheme ensured his four-year apprenticeship was locked in. “It tipped the scale for me,” he said. “It saved me from worrying that they won’t get any monetary issues while funding my training and it lessens the burden on them.” Mr Cook dismissed concerns that an influx of interstate tradies could initially make Perth’s housing squeeze worse, not better. “We know that the rental vacancy rate has gone from just 0.7% a few months ago, it’s now doubled to 1.6% so you’re seeing green shoots,” he said. “The other option, let’s just pretend we thought this was all too hard and did nothing. Well then our economy would continue to trickle on, our housing industry and our construction industry would continue to struggle to meet the demand. “We wouldn’t get the increase in supply and the housing situation will just get worse. We are bringing solutions to the table and we are producing outcomes.” Builder Adrian Abel welcomed the announcement and said the GTO Wage Subsidy meant he could afford to hire another apprentice next week. “We still cover costs but not all, it’s a generous subsidy,” he said. “We’ve got to go through a few before we find a Dean,” he joked. “The work ethic is not always there but when we do find somebody like dean who is prepared to do the hard yards then we’re very keen to support that. “We still cover costs but not all, it’s a generous subsidy and very worthwhile.”