Summit Homes Group imports hundreds of tradies in large scale migration program to boost housing supply

Summit Homes Group is the first major builder to embark on a large-scale migration program, importing 100 Filipino tradies to date with hundreds more in the pipeline. General manager Cameron Lade conceded it was a controversial move in the current climate, but said it was the only way to address the dire trade shortage. Summit has imported 100 Filippino tradies on the 482 visa, including roof plumbers, tilers, gyprockers, renderers, flooring and cabinet installers, over the past 18 months. A further 70 tradies were due before June and another 80 workers had been trade-tested and had started the visa application process. There are plans for 50 more foreign tradies, bringing total numbers to 300 workers. He said there was dire shortage of local trades - despite training its own apprentices - especially with residential construction often the “last cab off the rank” after the mines and commercial property. “There are more tradies retiring than going through apprenticeships, so the reality is that if we don’t supplement our own workforce with people from overseas, we won’t have enough workers,” said Mr Lade. “Just drive around and see how many building sites don’t have any people on site - there’s hundreds.” More than 10,700 skilled migrants came to Perth last financial year, which was 68 per cent more than 2023-23 and 193 per cent more than 2021-22. But it is well down on influx during the last building boom, which peaked at 16,289 skilled workers to WA in 2011-12. Migration has been controversial recently amid calls for a cap on new residents until the housing crisis has been addressed, with surging support for anti-migration group One Nation. Mr Lade conceded it was a “chicken and egg” situation, with foreign workers able to build houses, but acknowledging a shortage of houses for them. However, he said Summit had spent millions buying vacant group homes such as aged care facilities and former healthcare sites, to rent to its imported workers. It had also leased rentals on the mainstream market. “The rental market is tight but there is still a vacancy rate,” he said. Workers are tested on trade skills, their English language competency and driving ability. “It’s a win-win situation. It’s a life-changing opportunity for them and at the same time, it enables us to build to build more homes,” Mr Lade said. He acknowledged some in the industry were initially skeptical about the idea of importing workers, but several other builders were considering a similar path. He said Summit’s own trade team had leaned in to help the new workers adjust to new processes and safety standards. “We are not seeing any negative feedback on site,” he said. He lashed out the lengthy visa process, which took a minimum six months, following a three month trade assessment. He said Summit had also maintained its apprenticeship program. “If we (the industry) could wave a magic wand and get 500 more tradies, we would all be cheering,” he said. “It’s not the silver bullet, but it’s one of the levers we’ve got to pull, along with apprenticeships.”