Australia Need More Skilled Migrants: Westpac Boss Pushes for Immigration

Australia’s housing market is facing one of its biggest challenges in recent years — soaring property prices and a shortage of skilled workers to build new homes. Amid these pressures, Westpac CEO Anthony Miller has made a bold call: increase skilled immigration to fix the nation’s deepening housing crisis.

With the government’s ambitious target of building 1.2 million new homes by 2029, the lack of skilled labour poses a real threat to progress. Miller believes the key to achieving this goal lies in welcoming more skilled migrants, especially in construction and regional development sectors.

This perspective highlights a growing trend among business and industry leaders — recognizing migration as an economic necessity rather than a political debate.

Significance of Skilled Immigration in Australia’s Housing Market

1. Bridging the Widening Skills Gap

Australia’s housing and construction industries are under immense strain. Skilled tradies, builders, and engineers are in short supply — slowing down essential projects and pushing costs higher.

According to Westpac’s Anthony Miller, “We need to get the right immigrants in, get the right resources allocated, and create enormous amounts of jobs.”

The construction sector has been particularly vocal about the need for reform. Master Builders Australia estimates that a quarter of the nation’s construction workforce consists of migrants — yet the flow of skilled workers has declined in recent years.

This talent shortage has created a domino effect — fewer homes being built means higher prices and reduced housing affordability. A stronger skilled migration framework could help stabilize the market and support national housing targets.

Explore how regional migration programs support workforce gaps: Goldfields DAMA to become part of WA DAMA

2. Regional Development and Housing Opportunities

Miller has highlighted a crucial, often overlooked opportunity — building more homes in regional Australia.
He argues that regional areas hold the key to solving both housing and population pressures.

Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne have reached saturation points in affordability, with average home values exceeding $1 million. Meanwhile, regional areas offer space, affordability, and a strong demand for labour.

Encouraging skilled migrants to settle and work in regional communities could create balanced population growth and generate local economic activity. Programs like the Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) — particularly the upcoming WA DAMA transition — play a key role in this regional migration effort.

Miller’s vision of “nation-building” through regional housing aligns with this — creating jobs, homes, and long-term economic sustainability outside of capital cities.

3. Streamlining the Skilled Migration Process

One of the main barriers to attracting skilled workers is the complex and slow qualification recognition process.

Builders and industry leaders such as Scott Challen, CEO of QHI Group, have called for reforms to make it easier for overseas-trained tradies to start working in Australia.
Currently, many migrants face 12 to 18 months of delays due to lengthy assessment and re-training requirements.

As Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn explains, each skilled migrant who is unable to work due to red tape represents 2.4 lost homes every year — a staggering figure given the national housing goals.

A streamlined migration system that recognises international qualifications faster could unlock immediate workforce potential and help close the labour gap.

For context, in the 2024–25 financial year, 15,524 skilled visas were granted to workers in the construction sector, the highest in a decade. Yet, experts say it’s still not enough.

4. The Economic Ripple Effect of Skilled Migration

Boosting skilled migration isn’t just about building more homes — it’s about strengthening the entire economy.

Every construction job supports several other industries, from manufacturing to transport and retail. Skilled workers contribute to tax revenue, increase consumer demand, and foster innovation across the economy.

Westpac’s Miller emphasizes that this isn’t just a housing issue — it’s a nation-building opportunity.

By encouraging more skilled workers to migrate, Australia can expand its housing supply, balance regional development, and maintain economic momentum amid global uncertainty.

Recent data from CoreLogic’s Home Value Index reveals that housing values rose 1.1% in October 2025, the fastest pace in two years. With affordability concerns growing, the need for a stronger housing supply chain is urgent.

Read related coverage here: Proof Australia nowhere near key housing target – Yahoo Finance

5. Policy and Government Collaboration

While industry leaders are making the call for action, success will depend on coordinated government reform.

The Department of Home Affairs and relevant state agencies are working toward simplifying the migration process and improving the recognition of overseas qualifications.

However, experts argue that Australia needs a unified national system for skills recognition, which would ensure consistency across states and territories.

Organizations like Master Builders Australia and Activate Australia’s Skills campaign continue to advocate for these reforms. They believe faster, fairer, and more transparent systems will help unlock thousands of potential workers waiting to contribute to Australia’s construction future.

For additional insight, see: Tradie boss’s call on apprentice pay exposes big issue – Yahoo Finance

Housing Prices Continue to Climb

While discussions around immigration and policy continue, the housing market shows no signs of slowing down.

The CoreLogic Home Value Index found that national home values have now reached $872,538, with combined capitals at $959,526.
Regional areas are also climbing, averaging $710,573.

City-by-city, the numbers paint a clear picture of affordability stress:

• Sydney: $1,256,156

• Melbourne: $818,975

• Brisbane: $992,864

Economists link these rising prices to both supply constraints and renewed buyer confidence following recent interest rate cuts. The first rate cut in February 2025 reversed a slowdown trend and spurred demand across most markets.

Without immediate action to address labour shortages, housing supply will continue to lag, and affordability will worsen — making skilled migration more critical than ever.

Expert Opinions: Industry and Government Alignment Needed

Experts agree that boosting skilled migration is essential — but it must be strategically managed to align with economic needs.

The Westpac CEO’s stance is supported by multiple sectors calling for greater collaboration between government, banks, and industry to facilitate smoother pathways for migrants.

Increased investment in housing infrastructure, incentives for regional settlement, and faster visa processing could yield major national benefits.

This isn’t just about filling labour gaps — it’s about future-proofing Australia’s economy for the next decade.

Significance of Skilled Immigration for Australia’s Future

1. Nation-Building Through Migration

Skilled migration has always been part of Australia’s national identity — driving economic growth and innovation. With a housing crisis looming, this approach can again serve as a catalyst for sustainable development.

2. Supporting Regional Revitalization

Regional Australia stands to gain the most from targeted migration policies. More workers mean more homes, schools, and community services — revitalizing areas that have struggled with population decline.

3. Boosting Productivity and Innovation

Every new skilled migrant adds diversity and expertise, leading to better problem-solving and technological advancement in industries like construction, energy, and infrastructure.

4. Strengthening Australia’s Global Competitiveness

As nations compete for global talent, maintaining an open and efficient migration system helps Australia remain attractive to high-skilled professionals seeking stability and opportunity.

The Path Forward: What Needs to Change

To make the Westpac CEO’s vision a reality, several policy and practical measures should be prioritized:

• Accelerate qualification recognition for overseas workers.

• Expand regional migration programs to spread housing growth evenly.

• Provide targeted incentives for migrants to work in construction and trades.

• Simplify visa processing for high-demand occupations.

• Enhance collaboration between government, banks, and construction firms.

Such changes could significantly improve labour capacity and help Australia meet its 1.2 million homes target by 2029.

Westpac’s call for a skilled immigration boost has reignited an essential national conversation — how to build a sustainable housing future while supporting economic growth.

The message is clear: Australia cannot fix its housing crisis without skilled migrants. By reforming qualification recognition, streamlining visa processes, and strengthening regional programs, the nation can turn this challenge into an opportunity for long-term prosperity.

If you’re a skilled professional looking to contribute to Australia’s growth story — or an employer seeking guidance on visa pathways — now is the time to act.

Visit A2Zimmi or book a consultation here to get expert advice tailored to your migration goals. Together, we can help build a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive Australia.