{"id":39592,"date":"2026-06-29T13:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T03:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/?p=39592"},"modified":"2026-06-29T14:42:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T04:42:50","slug":"trades-workforce-planning-in-australia-your-fy2026-27-hiring-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/blogs\/trades-workforce-planning-in-australia-your-fy2026-27-hiring-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Trades Workforce Planning in Australia: Your FY2026-27 Hiring Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For trades and services businesses, the skilled labour shortage makes early workforce planning a competitive advantage, not an administrative task. Australia&#8217;s trades shortage is structural, and reactive hiring is consistently slower and more expensive than planned hiring. Confirming your FY2027 workforce needs in July, rather than when a site is already under pressure, is what secures the right people first.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why is July the most practical planning window for\u00a0trades\u00a0businesses?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Because budgets reset on 30 June and the market tightens from Q2. Confirming\u00a0labour\u00a0hire volumes and direct hire needs for the first half of FY2027 in July lets you set preferred supplier arrangements before demand peaks and construction activity ramps up.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The broader\u00a0labour\u00a0market is\u00a0easing.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jobsandskills.gov.au\/data\/occupation-shortage\/occupation-shortage-list\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Jobs and Skills Australia<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0found 29 per cent of occupations in shortage in 2025, down from 33 per cent in 2024. Trades are\u00a0the\u00a0exception. In construction,\u00a0nearly half\u00a0of trade occupations were assessed as in shortage in 2025. Apprenticeship intakes also need scoping early, so sourcing can begin sooner.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">How do you map\u00a0FY2027\u00a0workforce needs by project and site?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Map demand the way the work arrives: by site and project, and by whether the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0need is ongoing or temporary.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Separate project-based demand (labour\u00a0hire, contract) from permanent workforce\u00a0needs, and\u00a0confirm volumes for\u00a0each by\u00a0site for Q1 and Q2.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Identify your highest-risk roles: hardest to fill, most critical to operations, and most likely to turn over.\u00a0Make these your first priorities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For direct hires, build a sourcing timeline. Regional trade roles take three months or more to fill on average.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For\u00a0labour\u00a0hire, review your preferred supplier panel and confirm volume expectations so your partner can pre-build a pipeline.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Labour hire or direct employment: which model works when?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use\u00a0labour\u00a0hire for variable or short-term demand, and direct employment for ongoing core roles.\u00a0Base\u00a0the decision on total cost and how predictable the work is, not headline rates.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-39596\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com\/fuse-recruitment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fuse-labour-hire-vs-direct-employment-1024x420.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com\/fuse-recruitment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fuse-labour-hire-vs-direct-employment-1024x420.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com\/fuse-recruitment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fuse-labour-hire-vs-direct-employment-300x123.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com\/fuse-recruitment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fuse-labour-hire-vs-direct-employment-150x62.png 150w, https:\/\/cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com\/fuse-recruitment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fuse-labour-hire-vs-direct-employment-768x315.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com\/fuse-recruitment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fuse-labour-hire-vs-direct-employment-1536x630.png 1536w, https:\/\/cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com\/fuse-recruitment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fuse-labour-hire-vs-direct-employment.png 1900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">How do you budget for tradespeople and labour hire?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Budget on total cost, not headline rates, and build vacancy cost into the plan.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On-costs\u00a0for direct hire: base wages plus\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ato.gov.au\/businesses-and-organisations\/super-for-employers\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">12 per cent super<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, leave entitlements, payroll tax, work cover premium, and site allowances such as travel, accommodation, and PPE.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Labour\u00a0hire: compare total cost of engagement, including the agency margin, against total cost of direct employment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vacancy cost: a skilled trades role vacant for\u00a060 days\u00a0carries a productivity impact that often exceeds the recruitment fee.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Apprentices: wages are set by\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairwork.gov.au\/pay-and-wages\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">the relevant award<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Budget for supervision time and the productivity ramp-up, not just the wage.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Which digital capabilities should\u00a0trades\u00a0businesses plan for?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trades businesses increasingly compete on how efficiently they quote, schedule, and run sites, and digital tools drive all three. Planning for it in FY2027, rather than chasing it mid-project, keeps a business competitive as the sector\u00a0modernises.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The roles to\u00a0prioritise\u00a0are those where trade skills meet digital tools. Estimators using digital take-off software and supervisors on project management platforms are increasingly sought after. The candidate pool is smaller\u00a0than for\u00a0traditional trades, so\u00a0identify\u00a0these roles early, and ask which roles need skills your current workforce lacks.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why is there a skilled trades shortage in Australia?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trades take years to\u00a0train,\u00a0the workforce is ageing, and demand from housing, infrastructure, and energy projects is outpacing supply. Technicians and\u00a0trades\u00a0workers make up more than half of all occupations in persistent national shortage.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Should I use\u00a0labour\u00a0hire or direct employment?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use\u00a0labour\u00a0hire for project peaks and variable demand, and direct employment for ongoing core roles. Compare total cost of engagement against total cost of direct employment rather than headline rates.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">How do I budget for a\u00a0trades\u00a0role?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use total cost: base wages plus 12 per cent super, leave, payroll tax, work cover, and site allowances such as travel, accommodation, and PPE. Build in the cost of a role sitting vacant, which often exceeds the recruitment fee.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Plan your FY2026-27 trades hiring with Fuse<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Securing skilled tradespeople continues to be one of the biggest challenges for employers, making early workforce planning more important than ever. At Fuse Recruitment, we partner with businesses across construction,\u00a0maintenance\u00a0and field services, combining industry\u00a0expertise\u00a0with a practical understanding of the trades market to help clients build reliable workforces.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whether\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0planning upcoming projects, forecasting\u00a0labour\u00a0requirements\u00a0or reviewing your recruitment strategy, our team is here to\u00a0provide\u00a0market insights, practical advice and specialist recruitment support tailored to your business.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If\u00a0you&#8217;d\u00a0like to discuss your FY2026-27 hiring plans or learn more about the current\u00a0trades\u00a0talent market,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/contact-us\/\">get in touch with\u00a0our team<\/a>.\u00a0We&#8217;d\u00a0be happy to help you develop a workforce strategy that supports your operational goals and keeps your projects moving.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This article is general information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. For your situation, check the\u00a0<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ato.gov.au\/\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">ATO<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or a registered tax or financial adviser. The Fair Work Ombudsman also\u00a0summarises\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairwork.gov.au\/newsroom\/news\/payday-super-new-rules-starting-1-july-2026\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">new rules and employer obligations<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For trades and services businesses, the skilled labour shortage makes early workforce planning a competitive advantage, not an administrative task. Australia&#8217;s trades shortage is structural, and reactive hiring is consistently slower and more expensive than planned hiring. Confirming your FY2027 workforce needs in July, rather than when a site is already under pressure, is what&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":39575,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","footnotes":""},"categories":[105,108],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employer","category-infrastructure"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39592","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39592"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39592\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39621,"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39592\/revisions\/39621"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/39575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39592"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39592"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39592"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}