❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on the Build A Life in WA program, including trade breakdowns, employment status, government project involvement, and KPIs. The answer provides a trade breakdown, milestone payment data, clarifies eligibility, and outlines monitoring methods.
AnsweredQoN 951Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government's Build A Life in WA (BALWA) program, and I ask: (a) For the 1024 skilled workers from interstate and New Zealand that have collected their first $5000 milestone payment, please provide a breakdown of numbers by trades: (i) How many of the 1024 workers remain employed in the WA construction industry; and (ii) How many secondary payments of $5000 after the 6-month milestone have been made; (b) Have any of the workers currently employed under the BALWA scheme been employed on Government projects at any stage; and (c) What KPIs exist for the scheme?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Minister for Skills and TAFE
Response time
8 days
(a) As at 12 November 2025, the number of BALWA recipients by trade or profession skill group is provided in the table below. 383 recipients have submitted claims for Milestone 2 payments, which requires at least 6 months of employment in the WA building and construction sector. 199 Milestone 2 claims have been processed and paid.
Trade or Profession Skill Group
Total
Construction, Distribution and Production Managers
63
Architects, Designers, Planners and Surveyors
15
Engineering Professionals
27
Building and Engineering Technicians
22
Bricklayers, and Carpenters and Joiners
326
Floor Finishers and Painters
18
Glaziers, Plasterers and Tilers
34
Plumbers
141
Electricians
206
Electronics and Telecommunications Trades Workers
34
Horticultural Trades Workers
7
Wood Trades Workers
21
Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers
7
Contract, Program and Project Administrators
18
Stationary Plant Operators
15
Mobile Plant Operators
51
Construction and Mining Labourers
45
(b) BALWA recipients must be employed in the WA building and construction sector to be eligible for milestone payments. There is no requirement for recipients, or their employers, to report participation in Government projects.
(c) The BALWA program is monitored by tracking the number of approved applications and claims across the WA building and construction sector.
Trade or Profession Skill Group
Total
Construction, Distribution and Production Managers
63
Architects, Designers, Planners and Surveyors
15
Engineering Professionals
27
Building and Engineering Technicians
22
Bricklayers, and Carpenters and Joiners
326
Floor Finishers and Painters
18
Glaziers, Plasterers and Tilers
34
Plumbers
141
Electricians
206
Electronics and Telecommunications Trades Workers
34
Horticultural Trades Workers
7
Wood Trades Workers
21
Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers
7
Contract, Program and Project Administrators
18
Stationary Plant Operators
15
Mobile Plant Operators
51
Construction and Mining Labourers
45
(b) BALWA recipients must be employed in the WA building and construction sector to be eligible for milestone payments. There is no requirement for recipients, or their employers, to report participation in Government projects.
(c) The BALWA program is monitored by tracking the number of approved applications and claims across the WA building and construction sector.
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