Industry experts have hammered the government’s long-awaited Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) reforms after key construction occupations were again left off the list.
In a decision that’s left much of Australia’s construction industry scratching its hard-hatted head, heavy machinery operators failed to make the cut.
Crucial jobs like crane operators, bulldozer drivers, and excavator operators have all been left off the skilled visa program, which gives skilled migrants the opportunity to move to Australia and work as part of in-demand industries.
While brickies, carpenters, plumbers, and sparkies finally got the nod, the surprise absence of heavy machinery roles has sparked outrage from housing industry leaders who say current reforms aren’t enough to end the nation’s ongoing housing crisis.
Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn described the decision as “baffling”, considering the government was already behind in its goal of building 1.2 million new homes by 2030.
“You can’t build houses, schools, hospitals or roads without crane, bulldozer, and excavator operators, who have not made the cut,” Ms Wawn said.
“The Federal Government has missed an opportunity to signal to the industry and the community that they are really committed to fixing the housing crisis and addressing labour shortages.”
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, heavy machinery operators are all included as one of 15 key building and construction occupation groups in shortage at either the national or state level.
Those labour shortages have driven construction costs up 40 per cent over the past five years, with home build times nearly 1.5 times previous completion rates.
Meanwhile, according to Master Builders, an additional 500,000 tradies will be needed if the government has any hope of reaching its lofty housing ambitions.
“The evidence speaks for itself – all building and construction industry occupation groups remain in shortage and should be on the list,” Ms Wawn said.
“We remain dismayed that in the middle of a housing crisis and chronic labour shortages, key roles in the industry have been left off the list.”
Coming into effect on December 7th, the CSOL will apply to the Skills in Demand visa, giving tradies from abroad the opportunity to work in Australia and clear pathways to permanent residency.
Migrants tempted by Aussie tradie pay
The list features 456 occupations, each requiring employers to pay a generous minimum salary to sponsored workers on the visa.
With heavy machinery operators earning over $100,000 annually in Australia, it’s an attractive prospect for overseas workers, where similar roles often offer significantly lower pay—such as British crane operators, who earn nearly $40,000 less per year.
Build-it spoke to UK-based crane operator David Baker, who said he was “gutted” to see his occupation left of the skilled visa program after spending years dreaming of a move down under.
“I would love to come out to Australia to work as I have my sister and her family out there already, but it looks like that will never happen,” he told Build-it.
“It’s a shame because there’s plenty of hard-working blokes like us who would love a change of scenery and a bit of sunshine. It seems like you guys could use a hand, but the government just ain’t playing ball.”
“If crane operator was on the list, and I was eligible, t I would definitely be interested.”
A step in the right direction
Despite heavy machinery drivers being left off the list, the reforms did include some eyebrow-raising additions like yoga instructors and goat farmers — leaving some industry experts questioning the government’s commitment to finding solutions to the nation’s skilled worker shortage.
However, Property Council CEO Mike Zorbas says the inclusion of industry pillars such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry trades was, on the whole, a step in the right direction.
“We need to become a magnet for global construction talent, and we commend the government for listening to the industry’s concerns and taking these first steps,” he said.
“Industry urgently requires more workers to plug construction skills gaps and deliver critical infrastructure and housing projects already in the pipeline.”
“Over the last twenty years, only two per cent of migrants coming to Australia had visas for construction jobs during a surge of welcome population growth, mega projects and housing need.”
“Streamlining the visa process to attract additional talent and skills needed to build the homes we need is vital.”
