64,500 new workers expected over 2025–28
162,500 new workers expected over 2025–35
Employment in Victoria's construction industry, including in residential construction and public infrastructure continues to grow significantly – 64,500 new workers are expected to enter the construction workforce over 2025–28, with occupations such as carpenters and joiners and plumbers remaining in high demand.
Technological change and innovation in the construction sector are increasing the uptake of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) such as prefabrication, robot assisted automation, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, Digital Twins and Building Information Modelling (BIM). This is boosting demand for multi-skilled workers with a blend of technical, design and digital skills and stimulating up-skilling in areas like process manufacturing and assembly of building components.
There is also a growing need for process automation skills, including robotics and predictive maintenance systems, design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) and machine maintenance.
Occupations in demand in construction
| Occupations in demand | Pathways into the sector |
|---|---|
| Carpenters and joiners | Certificate III in Carpentry |
| Plumbers | Certificate III in Plumbing |
| Painting and trades workers | Certificate III in Painting and Decorating |
Source: DJSIR and VSA modelling, 2025.
Emerging occupations in modern methods of construction
| Emerging occupations | Pathways into the sector |
|---|---|
| Steel detailers | Diploma of Engineering Technology |
| Manufacturing engineers and technicians | Diploma of Engineering – Technical |
| Construction/Project managers | Diploma of Building and Construction (Building/Management) |
Source: Alviano (2015), Job Skills in Prefabricated Construction; Masood, Aliakbarlou and Hu (2022), Skills Matrix for Prefabricated Construction – A case of NZ Modular Company.
Updated