Queensland’s small and family-owned builders are set to benefit from a major workforce investment, with the Crisafulli Government launching a $19 million pilot program aimed at helping businesses train and retain apprentices.
The Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program, beginning 1 July 2025, will subsidise wages during off-site training, directly addressing one of the biggest barriers to employing apprentices, affordability.
In total, the program will support 2,000 construction apprentices across the state, giving small builders a vital incentive to take on new talent and helping rebuild the state’s skilled workforce pipeline.
“This directly responds to calls from the small business industry to ease the pressure of training and retaining skilled workers in this crucial sector, and we’re delivering support just as we promised,” said Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates.
How It Works
The pilot is designed to ease the financial load when apprentices are away from site for training, a cost many smaller builders have struggled to carry.
Under the program, eligible small construction businesses will receive:
- 50% wage subsidy for first- and second-year apprentices while they attend up to eight weeks of training per year
- 25% subsidy for third- and fourth-year apprentices
- Payments of up to $10,060 over four years for apprentices under 21
- Payments of up to $13,740 over four years for apprentices aged 21 and over
Employers can register once an apprentice completes their probation period, becoming eligible as soon as their apprentice begins formal training.
This financial support means more builders can afford to keep apprentices engaged throughout their qualification, helping prevent the high dropout rates that have long plagued the sector.
Tackling Queensland’s Skills Shortage
The program is part of a broader commitment from the Crisafulli Government to “end Labor’s skills shortage” and strengthen Queensland’s construction workforce.
Minister Bates said the initiative marks a turning point for small and family-owned businesses that have been struggling to compete with larger firms in retaining staff.
“The construction industry is the third largest in Queensland and is central to our housing, health, transport and infrastructure priorities, including the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she said.
“For a decade, Labor presided over a skills shortage while demand for housing soared. I heard directly from industry what needed to change, and we’re getting on with the job.”
The pilot builds on more than $98 million already allocated in construction-specific training initiatives during the 2024–25 period, supporting over 29,000 students.
Additional workforce initiatives include:
- $10 million for the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program (two years)
- $4 million for Free Construction Apprenticeships for eligible over-25s (three years)
- $78 million TAFE Centre of Excellence training hub for construction and allied trades at Caloundra
- Support for the $60 million Construction Skills Queensland Annual Training Plan (2025–26)
Together, these initiatives represent one of the most significant investments in construction skills Queensland has ever seen.
A Win for Small and Family Builders
Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin said the pilot is part of the government’s broader Small and Family Business First Action Statement, backed by over $100 million in funding.
“Our government is stepping up to ensure small and family businesses can grow and succeed,” he said. “We want these businesses to keep employing and training apprentices and to be able to retain them through to completion.”
The sentiment is echoed by local representatives like Member for Redlands Rebecca Young, who said the impact will be felt right across growing regions.
“The Redlands area is home to a large number of tradies and apprentices,” she said. “This program will make it more affordable for small business employers to take on apprentices and allow tradies to get on with the job of building our critical infrastructure.”
Why It Matters
Queensland’s construction industry has faced one of the toughest labour markets in recent history. Supply chain disruptions, COVID-era delays, and an aging workforce have all combined to make finding and keeping skilled labour increasingly difficult.
For small and family-owned builders, the challenge is particularly acute. Many operate on tight margins, and the financial strain of paying apprentices during training periods often leads to either reduced intakes or early terminations.
By offsetting wage costs during these off-site weeks, the pilot program removes one of the biggest financial disincentives for training the next generation of trades.
It’s a practical solution with broad benefits:
- More apprentices complete their training
- Builders maintain project continuity
- Clients gain from a more skilled, consistent workforce
In short, it’s a step toward rebuilding the confidence and capability of Queensland’s construction industry from the ground up.
Industry Perspective
The initiative has been welcomed across the industry, with many small business owners calling it a “common-sense move” that acknowledges the real pressures they face.
Construction Skills Queensland has long advocated for stronger financial support for employers, noting that apprenticeships are the “engine room” of the sector’s future workforce.
The Crisafulli Government’s plan aligns closely with what industry leaders have been calling for practical, business-friendly support that helps builders train people without adding red tape.
The Bigger Picture
With Queensland’s population growth continuing to surge and housing demand intensifying, workforce development is one of the state’s most urgent priorities.
This apprenticeship pilot is not just about subsidies, it’s about securing the future of the construction industry.
If the pilot proves successful, it could pave the way for a broader rollout, giving thousands more small and family businesses the confidence to hire and train.
It also reinforces a clear message from the government: that a stronger construction sector means a stronger Queensland.
The program is a reminder that long-term industry resilience depends on investing in people especially those at the start of their careers.
Learn More
More information about the Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program is available at business.qld.gov.au/apprentice-pilot.
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