A Step Toward Inclusion in the Trades
Queensland’s construction industry has long struggled with one of the lowest female participation rates of any sector in Australia. But a new $20 million government program, the Women’s Career Grants could mark a turning point by directly supporting women who want to return to work, retrain, or enter new fields, including the trades.
Announced by Premier David Crisafulli and Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson, the initiative will offer women grants of up to $5,000 to cover the practical costs that often block their return to the workforce; things like training, recertification, workwear, tools, technology, transport, and childcare.
For many women, these are not small barriers; they’re deal-breakers.
Why It Matters for Construction
The construction industry faces a twin challenge: a chronic skills shortage and a narrow talent pipeline. At the same time, hundreds of qualified, motivated women remain on the sidelines due to the high costs of re-entry after career breaks or family responsibilities.
For trades, building companies, and suppliers trying to fill roles in estimating, design, site management, and project coordination, the Women’s Career Grants represent an untapped opportunity.
By helping women afford childcare while they attend interviews or training, or by funding the cost of re-certifying trade tickets or purchasing safety gear, the program could open the door to a cohort of skilled workers who have simply been priced out of participation.
It’s practical policy, something the construction sector often calls for but rarely sees.
Beyond Policy: Changing the Face of the Workforce
Queensland’s $4 million extension of the Jobs Academy run in partnership with Future Women adds further weight to this push. Over the next two years, the program will help an additional 500 women upskill and transition into new industries, including construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
Future Women founder Helen McCabe described it simply:
“We know how to connect women with the tools and support they need to get back to work.”
That focus on practical outcomes is what could make the difference. Programs like these give women more than just funding they provide structure, mentorship, and a pathway into industries that have historically been difficult to access.
Mature-Age and Returning Workers: The Hidden Workforce
For mature-age women, or mothers who’ve been out of the workforce for several years, returning to employment can be daunting. Technology, regulations, and industry standards evolve quickly especially in construction.
The grants provide a bridge back into the field. A $5,000 grant might cover:
- Trade licence renewals or refresher courses
- Short courses in digital estimating or project management
- Tools or workwear needed for site work
- Travel and relocation costs for regional job opportunities
- Childcare for training days or job interviews
These are small investments with outsized returns. A woman re-entering construction brings valuable life experience, reliability, and often strong communication and coordination skills traits that benefit every worksite and team.
Building Culture, Not Just Numbers
Financial support alone won’t shift the dial. The construction industry itself must continue to evolve creating environments where women can thrive, not just survive.
This means:
- Flexible work arrangements for parents and carers
- Safer, more inclusive worksites with zero tolerance for harassment
- Clear career pathways for women entering the trades later in life
- Visible role models from apprentices to directors who show what’s possible
Many Queensland builders are already taking steps in this direction. Initiatives like on-site mentorship programs, trade-specific women’s networks, and targeted apprenticeships are helping reframe what a “construction career” can look like.
The Women’s Career Grants now give those efforts a tailwind.
A Win for Industry and the Economy
At a time when Australia is grappling with housing supply pressures and skill shortages, every additional qualified worker counts. Encouraging women back into the workforce isn’t just social policy it’s economic strategy.
Premier Crisafulli summed it up well:
“Queensland women shouldn’t be locked out of a job because they can’t afford the cost of job-seeking.”
For an industry building the homes and infrastructure that power the state’s growth, that statement hits home.
Encouraging more women into construction, particularly those returning after family or life breaks could help close labour gaps, improve diversity, and strengthen the social licence of the industry itself.
A Fresh Start for Queensland
The Women’s Career Grants and Jobs Academy extension is part of a broader economic agenda, a bid to “deliver a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.”
But beyond the political narrative lies a practical reality: the state needs skilled hands on tools and minds on projects. And women especially those ready to re-enter the workforce represent one of the most underutilised resources available.
For the building sector, this could be a game-changer. Employers who engage with these programs early offering flexible apprenticeships, re-entry roles, or partnerships with training providers stand to benefit most.
The Good Builder Perspective
At The Good Builder, we see this as more than just a workforce initiative; it’s an opportunity for cultural renewal.
Construction has always been about building more than structures; it’s about building communities. The Women’s Career Grants create a pathway for women who’ve spent years building families, supporting others, or managing life’s complexities to now build Queensland’s future literally.
If the industry embraces that, we won’t just be filling labour gaps. We’ll be expanding the definition of what it means to be a builder.
Applications open November 3.
More information: www.womenscareergrants.com.au
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