Master Builders Australia (MBA) said the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder scheme will provide massive relief to thousands of home builders and tradies around the country.
MBA CEO, Denita Wawn, said HomeBuilder will be a lifeline for an industry facing a valley of death in the coming months.
“It will mean more new homes, more small businesses and jobs are protected and provide a stronger bridge to economic recovery for our country,” she said.
“Based on the Government’s estimated 27,000 grants, we think the scheme will be used for $10 billion in building activity, supporting the viability of 368,000 small builders and tradies – the businesses which employ 800,000 people in communities around Australia.
“Supporting the home building industry is essential to strengthening the economy and helping Australia recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
“Residential building activity gives back more than double to the communities that sustain it with every $1 invested in home building activity providing $3 to the wider economy.”
The HomeBuilder Scheme will be used for new home builds and renovations.
“The eligibility criteria mean that the vast majority of Australians will be able to access the scheme. More than 80 per cent of households have income of $200,000 or less,” Wawn said.
Bathroom and kitchen products supplier, the GWA Group, estimates a 10% increase in residential renovation activity could create 140,000 to 150,000 direct on-site trade jobs per month.
GWA managing director, Tim Salt, said the government should provide incentives for sustainable renovations including water efficient taps, toilets and showers.
“Australia is the driest continent on earth and with water scarcity is a major issue, we urge the Government to mandate water efficient sustainable solutions to preserve precious water resources for future generations of Australians,” Salt said.