Working Visas For
Construction Professionals

The Australian construction industry relies on immigration to bridge critical staff shortages. Skilled overseas workers contribute their expertise to fill essential roles, support ongoing projects, and sustain the sector’s growth. Immigration plays a pivotal role in meeting the industry’s labor demands and maintaining the momentum of construction projects across the country.

Working Visas for Construction Professionals

Construction workers can explore several visa options to work in Australia’s construction industry. The most relevant visas include the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) for sponsored employment by an Australian employer, and the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) for those with skills in demand. State or territory-sponsored visas such as the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and regional options like the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) are also available. These visas require skills assessments and meet specific criteria, making it essential for workers to engage with experienced migration agents for guidance and successful applications.

"I was speaking to a builder only yesterday, who was a medium-sized employer, who said they would pick up 30 carpenters in a heartbeat, tomorrow, just to complete existing jobs, let alone tender for new jobs" Master Builders Australia Chief Executive Denita Wawn

Building a Bridge to Australia's Construction Skills Shortage

Australia’s construction sector is a cornerstone of its economic growth, infrastructure development, and urban expansion. However, the nation grapples with a significant skills shortage in the construction industry, impacting its ability to meet the escalating demands of various residential, retail, commercial and infrastructure-level projects. Strategic migration services present a compelling avenue for addressing this challenge, enabling Australian builders to attract skilled construction workers from across the globe. Builders can address this skills shortage and the dearth of talent in key roles, by harnessing strategic migration services, and utilizing specific visa classes offered by the Australian government.

Australia's Construction Skills Shortage

According to the 2022 Arcadis Construction Costs Index Report, there were more than 100,000 unfilled roles in construction in Australia in 2022, almost 50 per cent greater than the number of people who are expected to be qualified in 2023 to fulfil them.

The construction sector encompasses a range of trades and specialties, and Australia is struggling with skill shortages across skills specialities. Carpenters and joiners are fundamental for creating the structural framework of buildings. Electricians play a pivotal role in ensuring that electrical systems are safe and functional. Plumbers are critical for installing and maintaining plumbing systems in both residential and commercial settings. Bricklayers and stonemasons are essential for constructing the foundational elements of structures. These shortages collectively contribute to project delays and hinder the construction sector’s ability to meet market demands. An ABS survey from August 2022 stated that 30% of construction businesses reported vacancies.

Strategic Migration: Constructing Skills from Overseas

Strategic migration services offer an effective pathway for Australian builders to mitigate the construction skills shortage. By accessing a global talent, builders can infuse their projects with expertise, enhancing quality and timely project delivery. A key visa class that facilitates this is the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa, available for short-term and medium-term staffing needs.

For carpenters and joiners, pivotal in creating the structural framework of buildings, the TSS Visa offers a solution for immediate skill shortages. These skilled tradespeople can be sponsored to work in Australia for up to two years under the Short-Term stream, ensuring the timely progress of projects.

Electricians, essential for ensuring electrical safety and functionality, can also be sourced through the TSS Visa’s Medium-Term stream. This stream enables Australian builders to bring in electricians for up to four years, providing a solution for long-term skill needs in the construction sector.

Plumbers, responsible for installing and maintaining plumbing systems, can be sponsored under the TSS Visa’s Medium-Term stream. Their expertise ensures that buildings are equipped with efficient and reliable plumbing systems.

Builders requiring the expertise of bricklayers and stonemasons can tap into the TSS Visa’s Medium-Term stream. By sponsoring these skilled workers, Australian builders can ensure that foundational elements are constructed with precision and quality.

Strategic Migration – Sourcing Skills & Delivering them

Strategic migration services offer more than just filling skill gaps; they contribute to promoting quality construction and efficiency. Skilled construction workers from diverse backgrounds bring varied perspectives and innovative approaches to projects. Absolute Immigration has worked in the construction sector for 20 years. A comprehensive immigration strategy is more than just the administration of visas, it involves sourcing and finding applicable skills, training where necessary, and building a attractive proposition for overseas workers so when they arrive in Australia, they have long tenure with their employer.

By integrating global talent, builders can elevate their projects and implement creative solutions to construction challenges.

By strategically leveraging strategic migration, Absolute Immigration helps its partners enhance project quality and meet construction demands, though building an efficient and reliable workforce, and allow construction businesses to take advantage of new opportunities, while completing existing projects efficiently and effectively.

Visa Types For Construction Workers In Australia

For anyone looking to work in Australia in the construction industry, you must be meet specific requirements, including a skills assessment.

The main types of work visas available for construction workers include:

Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
Temporary Work (skilled) Visa (subclass 457)
Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)
Temporary work (short stay activity) Visa (subclass 400)
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
Regional sponsored migration scheme Visa (subclass 187)
Special Category Visa (subclass 444)

Immigration Pathway For Construction Workers

Construction workers seeking to work in Australia have various visa options. The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) allows sponsored employment by an Australian employer, provided the occupation is on the relevant list. Skilled workers with in-demand skills can consider the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), while those with state or territory nominations can explore the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). For regional work, the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) may be suitable. Each visa type has specific requirements and eligibility criteria, and guidance from a registered migration agent is advised for a successful application.

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Frequently Asked Questions For Construction Professionals

How To Apply For A Construction Worker Visa In Australia?

There are nine different visa types you can apply for to work in the Construction sector in Australia. To find out which one best suits your skills, have a chat with the team at Absolute Immigration. We can discover what you want from your time in Australia, and help match you with the right visa type.

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Disclaimer: Information on this website does not constitute personal migration advice and is provided for general information and education purposes only. Accordingly, before taking any actions based on such information, we encourage you to consult with one of our Migration Agents who are all bound by the MARA Code of Conduct.

Certain images featured on our website and social media accounts are credited to Freepik, NZ Story, Tourism Australia, and 100% Pure New Zealand.

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Working Visas For Construction Professionals