Queensland’s $1750 bonus to lure interstate workers falls flat

A scheme to lure tradies amid a skills shortage has reportedly fallen flat despite offering skilled workers a $1750 cash incentive.

A scheme to lure tradies to Queensland has reportedly fallen flat despite offering skilled workers a $1,750 cash incentive amid a looming skills shortage in Australia.

The government started the Tradies in Paradise campaign in April to support flood reconstruction in the region, enticing qualified workers to move north and hopefully remain to work on future long-term projects.

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

However, only 12 tradies from interstate put their name down to move.

The spokeswoman said Queensland has seen over 100,000 people move to the state from around Australia.

“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.”

The program is available across 19 local government areas and is open to 1000 people, or until November 30.

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

Only 12 tradies from interstate put their name down to move.

“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.

It comes after at least 15 builders across Australia collapsed within the past year.

For many builders, the soaring price of materials and labour, compounded by Covid-19 delays, has eaten away at their profits. It means many have been unable to complete their jobs, including small and large companies.

Desperate families across Australia are now out of pocket and struggling to make ends meet.

Brisbane-based company Probuild was placed into voluntary administration in February, leaving more than 750 jobs hanging.

It came after Probuild’s parent, WBHO Australia Group, went into administration, leaving the construction giant and 17 related companies in limbo.

At the time, it was revealed the firm had annual revenues of $1.4bn, with 18 commercial and public sector projects at various stages of development.