Foreign tradesmen may have to be allowed into Australia to keep a lid on house building costs with construction salaries typically in the six figures.
Since the federal government introduced the HomeBuilder subsidy scheme in June last year, the number of new houses getting council approval has surged by 84 per cent.
The year to April saw 140,222 new houses get the green light, the highest annual tally since early 1989, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed.
Many home owners rushed to meet the April 14 deadline for the $15,000 HomeBuilder subsidy.
Foreign tradies may have to be allowed into Australia to keep a lid on house building costs with construction salaries typically in the six figures. CommSec chief economist Craig James said this was the way to fill construction skills shortages. Pictured are Sydney construction workers