{
  "id": 12709883,
  "title": "Industry wants visas for skills that 'really matter'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/industry-wants-visas-for-skills-that-really-matter",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discovered",
    "slug": "discovered",
    "url": "https://areanews.com.au/story/9364638/industry-wants-visas-for-skills-that-really-matter"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Industry leaders argue that current visa rules are a missed opportunity to bring construction apprentices to Australia and help alleviate the housing crisis. Both major parties, the government coalition and One Nation have recently announced plans to reduce overall migrant intake, but have yet to address the specific issue of allowing construction apprentices into the country. Labor's proposed redesign of the skilled migration points test aims to make housing construction trade qualifications equivalent in value to a university degree. However, the current student visa system does not permit apprenticeships, which is exacerbating the shortage of skilled tradespeople in Australia. Master Builders Australia Chief Executive Denita Wawn contends that young migrant trainees could significantly contribute to the housing supply if given the chance. Wawn suggests that allowing apprentices into the country would incentivize business owners and address the high domestic drop-out rates for construction apprenticeships, currently sitting at 50 percent. Housing Institute Australia's ACT director, Geordan Murray, notes that international students are only permitted to work 48 hours per fortnight during their study periods, an insufficient timeframe to complete an apprenticeship. Trade qualifications are heavily subsidized for Australian students but not for overseas students once they have obtained permanent visas. Murray contends that the cost of pursuing a trade for international students would be comparable to that of a university degree, making it a crucial area for the Australian visa system to evolve.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}