Western Australia has offered skilled construction workers $10,000 to move to the state as part of the government’s $12.3million plan to build more homes.

The WA Government released its State Budget this week and extended its Build a Life in WA scheme.

The incentive offers tradies from around Australia and New Zealand $10,000 to relocate in the west.

Kiwi carpenter Brayden Laing was one of the tradies to take advantage of the program in February.

The 25-year-old relocated from his home in Clyde, New Zealand, to Perth and was employed by Mundaring-based builder Brendon Scott.

Mr Laign had heard about the incentive via social media and used the funds to help move and settle in Scarborough with his partner.

‘It really helped us get over here. It’s a good place to live,’ he told The West.

‘Definitely word-of-mouth gets around and New Zealand is a small place.

The WA Government has offered construction workers $10,000 to relocate to the state

‘We saw it as an opportunity to come over here and try to get ahead financially.’ 

More than 360 people have started new construction jobs in WA under the scheme with 658 currently being assessed for eligibility.

Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson claimed the extension of the incentive was part of a wider $37.5million investment in WA’s construction ability.

The WA Government also extended its Construction Visa Subsidy Program for a third time, encouraging employers to sponsor overseas tradies to move to WA.

‘This investment will fund an additional 1100 workers to come in from other areas, other countries, other states, and settle in WA,’ Ms Sanderson said.

‘To date, this program has supported 849 skilled workers into the construction sector and supported businesses to bring them in to build our houses.’

Advertising for the incentive will focus on job-ready construction workers living interstate and internationally.

While the program has been successful in New Zealand, Ms Sanderson said the UK and Ireland are also a targeted job market.

The WA Government is also offering free TAFE courses to upskill its current workforce

It’s understood 70 per cent of existing applicants were from New Zealand.

‘The key is the trades, not where they come from,’ Ms Sanderson said.

Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the government is aiming to boost housing supply.

As part of its effort, it will also offer free TAFE courses to train its existing workforce. 

‘We are looking at it from every angle,’ he said.