Australia’s Construction Skills Shortage: Why Bricklayers & Tilers Are in High Demand in WA

Walk down any street in Perth right now and you’ll see it: scaffolding climbing skyward, tilers carefully lining up perfect bathroom tiles, bricklayers shaping walls for brand-new homes. Western Australia is in the middle of a construction boom but here’s the catch: there simply aren’t enough skilled people to do the work.

According to the Housing Industry Association, Australia needs to build 1.2 million new homes over the next five years, yet the construction sector is struggling to fill critical roles. Bricklayers and tilers, in particular, are in short supply. Check WA job boards, and you’ll see it yourself thousands of trade vacancies pop up every week, with employers actively hunting for qualified workers. Some projects even stall because there aren’t enough hands on site.

Here’s the exciting part: this shortage isn’t a problem it’s an opportunity. Skilled bricklayers and tilers are being fast-tracked into stable, well-paid jobs, and with Perth’s rapid growth and major infrastructure projects across WA, the need isn’t slowing down. Every wall built and every tile laid is a step toward a rewarding career you can rely on.

At ACMi, we don’t just talk about these opportunities we train students for them. Our Certificate III in Bricklaying & Blocklaying and Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling are 100% hands-on. You’ll mix mortar, lay tiles, and build walls in workshops that mirror real job sites, guided by trainers who are masters of their craft. By the time you graduate, you’re job-ready, confident, and equipped with skills employers are actively seeking. And the best part? Affordable fees mean getting started is easier than you think.

“I never thought I could step straight into a job after studying, but ACMi made it possible. The workshops were fun, practical, and totally realistic.” — ACMi Student

Choosing a trade now means choosing a future where your work is always in demand. Perth needs builders, renovators, and designers of spaces and ACMi gives you the tools, training, and confidence to become one of them.

Take your first step today — explore ACMi’s trade programs and start shaping WA’s future.