Queensland’s suspension of Best Practice Industry Conditions workers may just see construction workers migrate from the east to Western Australia for a 2025 deal being offered there.
The Sunshine State has “temporarily” halted the payment of a suite of perks for construction workers on new major state projects as it waits for the Productivity Commission to release its latest report on the industry expected in February 2025. Existing projects are not affected.
These benefits include $100 a week if a worker has to use their own mobile phone or tablet for work, being paid double time if it rains, and downing tools if the temperature reaches 35 degrees or 29 with 75% humidity, 300% the hourly rate for working over Easter and Christmas, and up to $100 a day for workers who live more than 50 km from the site.
Queensland Government estimates reveal BPICs will increase project costs by up to 25% (up to $17.1 billion) over the next six years while the Queensland Major Contractors Association believes it’s closer to 30%.
Meanwhile WA has plans to entice suitably qualified construction workers from the eastern states with a $10,000 “Build a Life in WA’ payment to help with relocation costs from January 2025.
Western Australia is also injecting $21.6 million into its wage subsidy program to support an additional 175 places for building and construction apprentices and trainees, bringing the total up to 775.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia and at the helm of our magazine for 8 years. She was behind the Institute's weekly news bulletins from 2016-2021 and is now writing our focused news items. Desi has been an engineering news and features journalist/editor across all disciplines since 2013 - part of a 30-year career writing for a wide range of industries.