What BuildSkills Australia does

BuildSkills Australia is the federally established national Jobs and Skills Council for the built environment sector, headquartered in Fortitude Valley, Queensland. The organisation was established by the Australian federal government under the national skills reform agenda to coordinate workforce planning, skills forecasting, training product development, and vocational education and training (VET) system alignment across three industry sectors: construction, property, and water. It operates through seven dedicated Advisory Bodies that bring together peak employer associations (Master Builders Australia, Housing Industry Association, Civil Contractors Federation, Property Council of Australia), unions (CFMEU, AWU, ETU), training providers (TAFE NSW, RMIT, Swinburne University), water utilities (SA Water, TasWater, Water Corporation, Icon Water), and specialist industry bodies. The organisation has a workforce of 34 employees and operates nationally across all eight Australian states and territories.

The organisation's core offerings comprise four integrated service areas: (1) Training Product Development and Review services covering qualifications, skill sets, and units of competency across sub-sectors including formwork/falsework, urban pest management, swimming pool and spa service, fencing, home energy efficiency, temporary traffic management, and engineered stone; (2) Research and Planning outputs including the Housing Workforce Capacity Study, Residential Construction Mobility Study, VET Workforce Study, VET Future Readiness Review, 10-year Water Sector Workforce Roadmap, and the annual 2025-26 Workforce Plan; (3) Interactive Data Dashboards providing occupational profiles (supply, demand, demographics), industry profiles, state/territory statistics, and labour market projections; and (4) Advisory Bodies providing sector-specific expert input. BuildSkills does not develop proprietary technology products; its outputs are published as free downloadable resources on its website, buildskills.com.au.

The business model is non-commercial and government-funded. BuildSkills Australia is a statutory industry advisory body with no external shareholders, venture capital investors, or commercial customers. It is funded through Australian federal government appropriations to fulfil its workforce policy mandate and does not sell products or services. Its "customers" in a stakeholder sense are industry associations, training providers, unions, utilities, and government departments that participate in advisory bodies and consume its research outputs to inform workforce planning, VET policy, and training product development.

Name

BuildSkills Australia

Legal name

BuildSkills Australia

Website

https://buildskills.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BuildSkills Australia is the federally established national Jobs and Skills Council coordinating workforce planning, skills forecasting, and vocational training development across Australia's construction, property, and water industries via seven industry advisory bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Planning and Skills Advisory

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513)

akta.pro primary industry

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Human Resources & Talent Development (EDAGANAB)

Keywords

• Workforce planning services
• Vocational training research
• Skills advisory council
• Construction workforce development
• VET training products

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BuildSkills Australia is a federally established Jobs and Skills Council that conducts workforce planning, develops and reviews VET training products, and publishes research reports and data dashboards to address skill shortages across Australia's construction, property, and water industries. The organization operates through seven industry Advisory Bodies that provide expert guidance from employers, unions, and other stakeholders to shape national skills and training priorities.

Product overview

BuildSkills Australia is the national Jobs and Skills Council for the built environment sector, established by the federal government to address workforce challenges facing construction, property and water industries. The organization operates as a unified advisory and research body rather than a modular software platform, delivering its mission through several integrated service areas: Training Product Development and Review services that create and update qualifications, skill sets and units of competency across diverse sectors; Research and Planning outputs including the Residential Construction Mobility Study, Housing Workforce Capacity Study, VET Workforce Study, VET Future Readiness Review, Water Sector Workforce Roadmap, and annual 2025-26 Workforce Plan; an Interactive Data Dashboards platform providing occupational profiles, industry data, state/territory statistics and labour market projections; and Advisory Bodies comprising expert committees across seven sectors. The organization also produces corporate publications and annual implementation plans. The portfolio works together as a coordinated system where research informs training product development, advisory bodies provide sector-specific guidance, and data platforms support evidence-based workforce planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Training Product Development and Review Formal development and review of nationally recognized Vocational Education and Training (VET) training products for Australia's construction, property, and water industries. The service ensures training products align with current industry skill needs and national training framework standards, serving VET providers, employers, and regulators.
• Industry Advisory Bodies Structured industry engagement through seven Advisory Bodies covering the construction, property, and water industries. These bodies channel employer, union, and stakeholder expertise to advise on workforce planning, training priorities, and skill shortage responses. Engagement is open to industry peak bodies, employers, unions, and other sector stakeholders.
• Interactive Data Dashboards Online interactive data dashboards providing workforce intelligence, skill shortage indicators, and labour market analytics for Australia's built environment sector. The dashboards support evidence-based decision-making by industry stakeholders, training providers, and government agencies.
• Annual Workforce Plans Annual workforce plans published by BuildSkills Australia providing strategic, evidence-based recommendations to address skill shortages and workforce challenges across the construction, property, and water industries. The plans are directed at federal and state government agencies, industry peak bodies, training providers, and other sector stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• National Housing Accord requires 1.2 million new homes over five years from mid-2024, requiring 60,000 dwellings per quarter vs current ~43,000
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

50 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member providing input on workforce and skills needs for the wall and ceiling sector.
• Australian Constructors AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Building and Construction Advisory Body and Civil Construction Advisory Body, providing policy input on workforce challenges.
• Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member representing brick and blocklaying training interests.
• CFMEU - Construction and General DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member representing construction workers; also represented on Civil Construction, Property Services, VET Supply, and Workforce Planning Advisory Bodies.
• Construction Industry Training CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member representing construction training interests in NSW.
• Housing Industry AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member; also represented on Plumbing, VET Supply, and Workforce Planning Advisory Bodies.
• Master Builders AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member; also represented on Civil Construction, VET Supply, and Workforce Planning Advisory Bodies.
• National Association of Women in ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member focused on gender equity and women's participation in construction.
• Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member; also represented on Civil Construction and Plumbing Advisory Bodies.
• TAFE NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding and Construction Advisory Body member representing public VET provider; also on Plumbing Advisory Body.
• Australian Manufacturing Workers UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil Construction Advisory Body and Plumbing Advisory Body member representing manufacturing workers.
• Australian Workers UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil Construction Advisory Body and Property Services Advisory Body member.
• Civil Contractors FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil Construction Advisory Body member; also represented on Workforce Planning Advisory Body.
• Urban Development Institute of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil Construction Advisory Body and Property Services Advisory Body member.
• Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlumbing Advisory Body member representing mechanical contractors.
• Fire Protection Association AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlumbing Advisory Body and Property Services Advisory Body member.
• Master Plumbers AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlumbing Advisory Body member representing master plumbers.
• Plumbing Industry Climate Action CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlumbing Advisory Body member focused on climate action in plumbing industry.
• Australian Environmental Pest Managers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member representing environmental pest management.
• Australian Security Industry AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member.
• Building Designers Association of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member.
• Facility Management Association of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member.
• Property Council of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member; also represented on Workforce Planning Advisory Body.
• Real Estate Institute of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member.
• Strata Community AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member.
• Surveyors AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member.
• United Workers UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty Services Advisory Body member.
• Australian Education UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVET Supply Advisory Body member representing TAFE teachers.
• RMIT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVET Supply Advisory Body member representing university sector.
• Swinburne University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVET Supply Advisory Body and Workforce Planning Advisory Body member.
• TAFE Queensland SkillsTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVET Supply Advisory Body member representing Queensland TAFE.
• Victorian Skills AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVET Supply Advisory Body member representing Victorian skills authority.
• Australian Services UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body and Workforce Planning Advisory Body member.
• Australian Water AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member focused on water careers and development.
• Icon WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member representing ACT water utility.
• NSW Water DirectoratecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member representing NSW water utilities.
• qldwatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member representing Queensland water industry.
• SA WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member representing South Australian water utility.
• TasWatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member representing Tasmanian water utility.
• VicWatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member representing Victorian water utilities.
• Water CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member representing Western Australian water utility.
• Water Industry Operations Association of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member.
• Water Research AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body and Workforce Planning Advisory Body member.
• Water Services Association of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Advisory Body member.
• Construction Industry Training BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce Planning Advisory Body member representing NT training board.
• Oxford EconomicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce Planning Advisory Body member providing economic analysis for construction and infrastructure.
• Skills InsightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob and Skills Council partner referenced in Fencing and Gate Industry training product development consultation.
• Powering Skills OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob and Skills Council partner referenced in Fencing and Gate Industry training product development consultation.
• Future SkillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob and Skills Council partner referenced in Swimming Pool and Spa Service Review consultation.
• Human AbilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob and Skills Council partner referenced in Swimming Pool and Spa Service Review consultation.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Skills Insight: Another Australian Jobs and Skills Council covering the manufacturing and broader cross-sector skills needs. Both operate under the same federal government mandate structure with advisory bodies and training product development responsibilities, making Skills Insight the most structurally comparable peer to BuildSkills.
• HumanAbility: Australian Jobs and Skills Council for the health, human services, early childhood, education and community services sectors. Functions as a structurally identical federal JSC peer, sharing operating model, governance structure and product portfolio.
• Future Skills Organisation: Australian Jobs and Skills Council covering finance, technology and business services sectors. Operates under the same federally mandated JSC model with advisory bodies, training product development and workforce strategy outputs - structurally identical peer.
• Powering Skills Organisation: Australian Jobs and Skills Council covering the energy, gas, water and renewables sectors. Shares the same federally mandated JSC operating model with advisory bodies, training product development and workforce planning responsibilities. Direct sector overlap with BuildSkills on the water side.
• Australian Industry Standards: Pre-JSC-era Industry Reference Committee that historically developed training products for several sectors now covered by Jobs and Skills Councils. Provides a historical/structural analog to BuildSkills' training product development function.

Broad incumbents

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Australian federal agency that provides national labour market intelligence and oversees the Jobs and Skills Council network including BuildSkills. Functions as the policy parent body that commissions and consolidates workforce analysis from JSCs like BuildSkills.
• TAFE Queensland: Major public vocational education provider in Queensland. While TAFE delivers training rather than coordinates it, it is one of BuildSkills' key VET Supply Advisory Body members and operates in the same construction/property/water training ecosystem.
• National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER): Australia's primary VET research and data body. While broader in scope, it produces workforce statistics, VET completion data and research that overlaps with BuildSkills' workforce intelligence function, and serves similar audiences (government, RTOs, industry).

Emerging players

• Australian Apprenticeship Pathways: Australian government resource that maps apprenticeship pathways and provides career information for trades including construction trades. Overlaps with BuildSkills' apprenticeship-promotion and VET pathway coordination mission across the built environment.

Regional players

• Construction Industry Training Board: State-level construction training body operating in the Northern Territory. Comparable to BuildSkills in its construction-sector workforce planning mandate but operates at sub-national scope, similar to how state-based TAFEs and Skills Authorities relate to BuildSkills.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buildskills-australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BuildSkills Australia