Australia is barrelling toward a disastrous tradie shortage, with new figures revealing apprentice numbers are plunging at the worst possible time, which could see more foreign workers needed.

Experts warn the crunch is already biting in Queensland – the nation’s fastest-growing state – and could soon hit every major city as migration, housing demand and major projects ramp up.

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Australia was now in a “danger zone” where major industries were desperate for workers but the pipeline was shrinking fast, according to Apprenticeships Are Us (ARU) Queensland apprentice employment manager Robert Borg.

And the tiiming couldn’t be worse

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