Tradies and developers blamed for Australia's housing crisis

Tom Panos, a real estate expert, has identified two key groups responsible for the housing crisis in Australia: tradies (tradespeople) and developers. He claims that rising construction costs and limited building activity have locked many homebuyers out of the market. In recent Instagram videos, Panos stated that tradespeople are demanding high wages, making it harder for developers to find workers. He pointed out that construction costs are up to 50% higher than a few years ago. Approval delays for new building projects have also increased by about 40%. According to the Property Council of Australia, the cost of construction in 2025 is around 30% higher than before the Covid pandemic. Panos explained that many tradespeople prefer to work independently for better pay, leaving developers struggling to hire skilled workers. Despite new legislation in New South Wales aimed at easing the building process, Panos emphasized that attracting workers is still a major challenge. He suggested that developers need incentives to help address the construction crisis. Panos also compared construction costs in Australia to those in the UK, USA, and Canada, noting that Australia's costs are significantly higher. Meanwhile, some tradies have responded critically to his comments, arguing that their wages reflect the hard work they put into their jobs. They also pointed out that bureaucracy and government regulations contribute to the housing crisis.