Apprentices in several home construction trades will now receive a $10k government incentive.
Trainees in carpentry, glazing, pluming and more are now eligible for a new government incentive. Image: Getty.
The new financial year always brings the kickoff of new government programs and incentives. In FY26, apprentices in the construction sector are some of the biggest winners, as they will now receive up to $10,000 as an incentive for undertaking training.
The Housing Construction Apprenticeship Program (HCAP) is a federal program intended to boost the workforce involved in building Australian homes.
Apprentices who are eligible to receive the funding include carpenters, joiners, plumbers, electricians, glaziers, locksmiths and roofers.
These are some of the trades that attract apprentices in larger numbers each year, but many other trainees in home-construction are also eligible. Tilers, plasterers, and landscape gardeners are also among the trades included.
Those who qualify will receive payments in $2,000 increments delivered over the course of their training at six, 12, 24 and 36 months, and at the completion of their apprenticeship.
With the country still grappling with a housing shortage and a mission to build 1.2 million new homes in five years, the incentives to direct more workers into the home-building sector have been welcomed from inside and outside the construction industry.
Roofers are among the trades that qualify for the Key Apprenticeship Program. Image: Getty
The Housing Industry Association’s director of the future workforce, Geordan Murray, said that the incentive would make apprenticeships in residential building trades “far more appealing for those weighing up their career options. This should translate into much stronger numbers looking for apprenticeships”.
At the same time, Mr Murray urged the government to ensure that equally attractive incentives existed for employers to offer apprentices.
“It will be self-defeating if the Key Apprenticeship Program only increases the number of young people seeking apprenticeships, without increasing the volume of employers willing or able to take them on”.
He noted that while there were existing federal supports for employers to bring trainees into their business, they were currently only guaranteed for six months, through the end of 2025. Moreover, he said many businesses did not feel the current support was adequate.
“While employers recognise the importance of training the next generation of tradies, many see apprenticeships as too costly or risky to justify within their business."
“Financial support for employers who create the training and employment opportunities for apprentices is critical if we’re serious about meeting skilled labour demand over the next decade."
“If the government wants to maximise apprentice uptake in 2026, it needs to provide businesses with certainty about whether any supports will exist beyond,” Mr Murray said.
Are you interested in learning more about home-building? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
English (US) · 