Tracey Roberts (Pearce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows—

I rise today to acknowledge and commend the Albanese Labor government's Key Apprenticeship Program—a flagship policy delivering real outcomes, real jobs, and real opportunities for hardworking Australians, including in my electorate of Pearce, WA.

In just its first six months, this program has supported over 11,400 new housing apprenticeships across the nation. That figure represents more than 11,400 Australians taking their first steps into a trade career—and in Pearce, we are already seeing the benefits. From Butler to Eglinton, Yanchep, and Two Rocks, local apprentices are helping to build the homes, community infrastructure, and secure the future of our regions.

Each of these apprentices represents real progress: a young person in Pearce gaining valuable skills, a local family building stability, and an industry strengthened for the years ahead. This program ensures we have the skilled workforce needed to tackle Australia's—and Western Australia's—housing shortage.

For too long, our local builders and small businesses have struggled to find enough tradespeople to meet demand. The Key Apprenticeship Program addresses that challenge head-on. It's a targeted investment in people, ensuring our construction sector can keep pace with population growth especially important in fast-growing areas such as the Pearce electorate.

Importantly, this initiative aligns with the National Housing Accord, which brings together all levels of government with industry to deliver 1.2 million well-located homes over the decade ahead.

Apprentices—including those trained right here at the North Metropolitan TAFE in Clarkson, WA—will turn that ambition into bricks-and-mortar reality. When we train apprentices locally, we build both local jobs and the very homes our community needs.

A key feature of the program is the $10,000 incentive payment for apprentices in housing and construction trades. Structured across the life of the apprenticeship, it supports both commencements and completions. Starting a trade is important—but completing it is where the true value lies. Skilled workers mean confidence, stability, and local businesses that can thrive.

This is smart policy that supports apprentices every step of the way, while helping employers train and retain workers at a time when the construction industry needs them most. Builders can have confidence that a pipeline of skilled local tradespeople is being built for the future.

I also want to acknowledge the increase in the living away from home allowance—the first in over 20 years.

This is particularly meaningful for young people from regional and outer-metropolitan communities, such as parts of Pearce, who often face tough decisions between staying close to family or travelling for opportunities. This reform ensures geography doesn't decide opportunity.

And something that is close to my heart, for apprentices with a disability, the Albanese Labor government has doubled support for the employers who take them on. This means more inclusive workplaces and more Australians contributing their talents to our shared future.

These measures reflect a vision for an Australia where vocational education is respected as a genuine pathway to secure, meaningful work. Every apprentice, regardless of background, deserves that chance to succeed.

The need could not be clearer: we are facing the worst national skills shortage in fifty years, a problem neglected for too long.

The Key Apprenticeship Program is central to our plan to invest not just in projects, but in people—the very people who will build the homes, schools, and infrastructure that strengthen our communities.

The results speak for themselves. Data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research shows that as of 30 June 2025, there were 22 per cent more apprentices in construction compared to June 2019—a clear sign that well-designed policy delivers lasting results.

I commend the minister and the Albanese Labor government for their leadership. The Key Apprenticeship Program is not just building homes—it's creating careers, confidence, and stronger local communities, including in my home electorate of Pearce WA. Thank you.

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