Things are improving, but there are still not enough skilled tradespeople in the residential sector to boost the supply of new homes, according to the latest trade availability figures.
The June 2010 quarter HIA-Austral Bricks Trade Availability Index shows a continuing shortage of skilled tradespeople in eight of thirteen skilled trades.
Bricklayers continue to be in least supply, while builders, landscapers and joiners also dropped in the June 2010 quarter. All other trades improved slightly.
"There are many areas requiring urgent attention, including reversing the growing rate of attrition of first year apprentices, currently at 33 per cent, and the overall high numbers who fail to complete an apprenticeship", HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale said.
"Trade rates, meanwhile, continue to rise although aggregate price pressures remain relatively modest," Harley Dale said.
The HIA-Austral Bricks Trade Prices Index increased by 0.6 per cent in the June 2010 quarter, to be 3.2 per cent higher than in the June 2009 quarter.