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Tradies across Australia are being lured to paradise with a new campaign that will bolster the state’s skilled trade labour force and keep Queensland’s economy growing.

Up to $1,750 will be paid to the first 1,000 tradespeople who move to Queensland and work for eight weeks’ rebuilding communities impacted by the recent south east Queensland flood.

Launching the campaign today, Acting Premier Steven Miles said Tradies in Paradise supported immediate flood reconstruction efforts and encouraged qualified tradies to stay for other long-term projects.

“The Palaszczuk Government is inviting up to 1,000 tradespeople from interstate to join Queensland in restoring local homes and businesses after the recent flood disaster,” the Acting Premier said.

“The devastating flooding events have put skilled tradespeople in high demand and we need more boots on the ground to help communities get back on their feet as soon as possible.

“While they are here, they can get a taste of what it’s like to work, live and play in our great state… and maybe even stay forever and trade up to paradise.

“Queensland is the best state – our unmatched lifestyle, attractions and natural wonders coupled with a pipeline of major infrastructure projects in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, simply makes for a tradies paradise.”

Tradespeople who relocate to Queensland and undertake eight weeks’ reconstruction work in one of the 19 eligible local government areas will be rewarded with an incentive and travel payment of up to $1,750.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the Tradies in Paradise campaign is recruiting carpenters, electricians, plasterers, roof tilers and plumbers, tilers, painters and decorators, plumbers, cabinetmakers, planners, architects or building designers, surveyors, building-related engineers, building certifiers, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics and gas fitters.

“The Tradies in Paradise campaign is targeting tradies across Australia, except for New South Wales, who like Queensland is also tackling a significant reconstruction effort,” Ms Farmer said.

“As part of the campaign, tradies will also have access to a wide variety of information on areas such as sourcing accommodation and employment, licensing requirements and mutual recognition application and safety inductions.”

Minister Farmer said the Tradies in Paradise scheme was on top of the Palaszczuk Government’s annual $1 billion investment in training and skills, supporting Queenslanders to undertake training for jobs in demand.

“As we head towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and our renewable energy boom, the longer-term opportunities for skilled tradespeople in Queensland are endless,” Minister Farmer said.

“This investment is providing skilled workers for the future but following the recent floods we need more qualified tradespeople now.”

Details of the Tradies in Paradise scheme:

• A maximum $1,750 payment, comprised of a $1500 relocation payment and up to $250 for travel costs
• Eligible occupations include carpenters, electricians, plasterers, roof tilers and plumbers, tilers, painters and decorators, plumbers, cabinetmakers, planners, architects or building designers, surveyors, building-related engineers, building certifiers, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics and gas fitters.
• Tradespeople are required to relocate to Queensland and undertake eight weeks’ reconstruction work in local government areas of: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast or Toowoomba.
• Applications for the relocation incentive are open until 30 November 2022 or until the 1,000 places have been filled, whichever is the earlier.
• Interested applicants should read the scheme’s guidelines, eligibility criteria and other requirements, before making any decision to relocate.
• Tradies from New South Wales are not eligible to apply given the large-scale flood reconstruction effort required in their home state.

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