Zimbabwean tradespeople: what a projected shortfall of 935,600 in Australia does, and does not, mean for you

News · 2026-09-10 · 4 min read

Two tradespeople in safety gear check timber framing at a sunny construction site overlooking an Australian city.

Big numbers attract attention, and Australia's latest construction figure is a big one: a projected shortfall of roughly 935,600 tradies and construction workers by 2035, falling only to above 84,000 in a best-case reform scenario. For skilled people in Harare, Bulawayo and across Zimbabwe, it helps to separate what this figure shows from what people sometimes read into it.

What it does mean

Demand could last. The gap is described as structural, because training is not keeping pace with the work ahead.
Several trades are involved. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing and civil construction are all named.
Migration is part of the response. Skilled visas granted to construction workers have tripled since 2019, and 15,524 were issued in 2024-25, a decade high.
Government is paying attention. The budget includes $85 million to fast-track skills recognition for migrants already in the country, and a $10,000 incentive for new apprentices in housing construction.

What it does not mean

It is not a list of vacancies. It is a forecast of a gap.
It does not waive assessment. A HEXCO certificate, apprenticeship or Zimbabwean trade licence never automatically equals an Australian licence or skills assessment.
It does not apply funding to you yet. The recognition money is aimed at people already in Australia.
It does not promise a visa. Each application is assessed on its facts.

Why the pressure builds

About $242 billion of infrastructure spending is planned over five years, on top of a decades-long shift to net-zero energy. Housing, rail, roads and renewable projects will all need qualified people. A separate forecast expects a 300,000-worker gap around 2027, just as the infrastructure pipeline peaks. Recognising the skills of qualified workers already onshore could unlock over 18,000 workers almost immediately, which shows how much depends on that step.

It also helps to remember that numbers like these come from forecasting. They are produced from assumptions about training, building activity and migration settings, and they can change. Use them to understand the direction of the market, not to time a major personal decision to the month.

Preparing from Zimbabwe

The steps below are practical and inexpensive, and they are useful whichever route you finally choose.

Step	What to do	Helpful resource
Document your training	Gather HEXCO and apprenticeship records, ZIMSEC results and employer letters	Scanned, clearly named files
Check recognition	Ask how Australia would assess your trade, and whether a state licence applies	RPLDirect
Sharpen your CV	List tickets, tools, project types and years of work	Build AI CV
Get advice	Talk to a migration agent on the MARA register	Ask about fees in writing

Keep police clearance from the Criminal Record Office ready, but only order it when an application asks for it.

Whatever you do, keep records of everything you send and receive, including emails, receipts and copies of forms. If something goes wrong later, a clear paper trail protects you and makes it easier for a genuine adviser to help.

Common mistakes tradespeople make

Spending savings before anyone has confirmed what assessment is needed.
Treating the shortage as proof that licensing steps can be skipped.
Applying with a CV that does not show tickets and project history.
Trusting social media offers that ask for payment first.

More reading: our plain-English guide to New Zealand's immigration changes, the skills shortage explainer and the jobs page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the shortage in every trade?

The report mentions carpentry, electrical, plumbing and civil construction among related trades. Check your own trade.

Why did visa numbers rise?

Skilled construction visas have tripled since 2019, which reflects demand and policy settings, not a promise for any individual.

Does the apprenticeship incentive help overseas workers?

No, it is aimed at new apprentices entering housing construction.

Do I need a licence as well as a skills assessment?

Some trades, such as electrical and plumbing, do need a state licence. Ask before you plan.

Who can I trust for advice?

A migration agent on the MARA register.

Key takeaways

A projected gap of about 935,600 by 2035 points to long-term demand.
It is a forecast, not a vacancy list or a visa promise.
Recognition funding targets people already in Australia.
Zimbabwean qualifications are not automatically equal to Australian ones.
Use only authorised advisers.

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