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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    South Australia's Construction Workforce

    Supporting the attraction, training and retention of construction workers
    Read the plan

    Setting South Australia’s construction industry up for long-term growth and success

    The construction industry is important for South Australia’s economic and social development, contributing labour and capital to the economy, as well as providing infrastructure and housing critical to our quality of life in South Australia.

    The Construction Workforce Plan has been developed in collaboration with industry to specifically respond to the needs of South Australia’s construction industry.

    The Plan outlines how government, industry and other stakeholders will build a sustainable skilled workforce to ensure the industry is in a strong position to deliver on the major projects over the next 5 years, while setting up the industry for long-term growth and success.


    The plan commits to:

    • Support tailored construction industry pathways
    • Address barriers that prevent specific cohorts from entering and staying in the construction workforce
    • Enable innovation in the sector to support increases in productivity and reduce workforce pressure.

    It complements activity underway in the Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan, which supports development of related skills in fields such as engineering and metal fabrication that also benefit the construction industry.

    South Australia's Construction Workforce Plan

    Read the full Construction Workforce Plan for South Australia, outlining how government, industry and other stakeholders will build a sustainable skilled workforce to ensure the industry is in a strong position to deliver on the major projects over the next 5 years.

    Download the plan (PDF)

    Snapshot of SA’s construction workforce

    $11,747 millionEconomic contribution in 2024-25
    Around 27,600Number of businesses in 2025
    Around 90,000Workers in 2025
    39 yearsMedian age

    12%of workforce are women with 4% estimated to be trade employees
    84%Full time workers
    1.5%Identify as Aboriginal
    2,400+Construction and electrical trades apprenticeship commencements per year

    Workforce demand and opportunities

    Grow the pipeline of workers

    Grow the pipeline of workers into the construction industry by strengthening pathways and systems that develop skills and talent. Many systems play a role in supporting entry pathways and delivering a pipeline of workers to the construction industry, including vocational education and training in secondary schools, apprenticeships, higher education and skilled migration.

    Engage diverse cohorts

    Increasing the diversity of the construction workforce will be critical to reaching supply goals. This will mean targeting efforts to support currently underrepresented, or underutilised groups to enter and stay in the industry.

    This will include a specific focus on women, Aboriginal people, and skilled migrants, where there is real additional workforce capacity.

    Keep and develop existing skills and talent

    Supporting workers already in the construction industry to see a long-term future for themselves within the industry will play an important role in retention.

    This includes supports for workers to upskill or reskill, and recognise experience to gain trade qualifications, or take on new job roles within the industry, including leadership and supervisor roles, as well as supporting workers with high levels of experience and skill to transition into trainer roles that prepare our future construction workforce.

    Commitments under the Plan

    The construction industry currently employs around 90,000 people, which has grown from 62,000 workers over the past decade. With continued demand for housing and investment in major civil and commercial projects over the next 5 years, the sector will require around 20,000 workers to deliver on these major projects.

    Learn how we are growing the new entrant pipeline into the industry.

    Current opportunities

    For businesses and employers

    Workforce and capability building opportunities to help you deliver construction projects.

    Find out more

    For workers and jobseekers

    Education, training and career pathways.

    Find out more

    For school students

    Prepare for a career in the construction industry.

    Find out more

    Get in touch about the Construction Workforce Plan

    For more information about the Construction Workforce Plan and current opportunities, contact the Department of State Development.

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