Workers turn down ‘Tradies in Paradise’ scheme: Qld cash bonus lure fails

The State Government is considering further ‘campaign options’ after it failed to lure 1000 interstate tradies to Queensland under its Tradies in Paradise cash bonus scheme. Here’s how many workers actually applied.

Just 12 interstate tradies have applied for the state government’s cash bonus for helping to rebuild flood-affected homes across South East Queensland despite the program launching more than three months ago.

The government is now considering further “campaign options” after it hoped 1000 tradies would be lured to Queensland by a $1750 cash incentive for eight weeks work.

A Department of Employment, Small Business and Training spokeswoman said 860 tradies had registered their interest in the Tradies in Paradise program.

“To receive the Tradies in Paradise cash incentive applicants must relocate to Queensland and complete eight weeks of flood related work,” she said.

“The employment may occur through multiple worksites and does not need to be continuous, which means there may be a significant lag time before applications for the cash incentive are received.”

Only 12 interstate tradies applied to part of the Queensland Government’s Tradies in Paradise scheme.

The government launched the campaign in April in a bid to support flood reconstruction efforts and encourage qualified tradies to stay for other long-term projects amid the skills shortage.

The program is available across 19 local government areas and is open to 1000 people – or until November 30 this year – whichever comes first.

The spokeswoman said over the past three years, Queensland had benefited from more than 100,000 people migrating to the state from around Australia.

“At a time when there is a skills shortage across the country and the globe, the purpose of the Tradies in Paradise program was to draw even more workers to the sunshine state to help with reconstruction work,” she said.

“The department is unable to advise how many tradies have relocated to begin working in Queensland.”

The spokeswoman said the campaign would continue to have ongoing benefits for Queensland as qualified tradies considered the benefits of moving to the state “to take advantage of the pipeline of work in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

“A burst of marketing campaign activity has recently concluded, and further campaign options are currently being considered,” she said.