“Building and construction is an industry where women are not only welcome but essential,” says Master Builders ACT CEO ANNA NEELAGAMA. “There is a role for everyone in delivering the ACT and the region’s housing and infrastructure future.”

On worksites across Canberra, from suburban infill builds to major civil projects shaping new communities, cranes rise against the skyline and tradies start before sunrise.

Yet behind the steady rhythm of hammers and machinery, the industry faces a quiet but urgent challenge.

All 26 construction trades are in shortage in the ACT. The rate of attrition is outpacing new entrants, and nationally the industry loses around 110,000 workers each year, about eight per cent of its workforce. Around 130,000 new people are needed annually just to keep up.

At the same time, the ACT needs 30,000 new homes by 2030.

Women currently make up just 13.6 per cent of the construction workforce and only 3.7 per cent of those on the tools. 

For Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama, those figures represent not a limitation, but an opportunity.

“Building and construction is an industry where women are not only welcome but essential,” she says. 

“There is a role for everyone in delivering the ACT and the region’s housing and infrastructure future.”

That role might be on a residential build in Taylor, overseeing a civil package in Molonglo, co-ordinating sub-contractors in Fyshwick, or managing budgets and compliance from an office. The industry is broader than many imagine and far more diverse in its career pathways.

Anisha Sachdeva, director at Huon Civil Construction, sees the skills shortage first-hand on infrastructure projects.

“The Australian construction industry needs more skilled workers,” she says. 

“By encouraging more women to join, we are tapping into 50 per cent of the population that has historically been underrepresented. 

“Expanding participation will strengthen the industry, increase productivity, and help fill critical roles needed to deliver essential infrastructure.”

For Ruby Mitchell, now a fourth-year carpentry apprentice, the opportunity began not on a building site but in a classroom.

“I completed the Women in Construction Pathways Program throughout Year 11/12 as an Australian School Based Apprenticeship,” she says. 

“After completion I got offered a Carpentry Apprenticeship.”

From that first taste of site life, a career took shape, one framed not by stereotypes, but by skill, teamwork and tangible achievement.

Pathways and possibilities

Step on to a site today and you are just as likely to find a woman reviewing plans, co-ordinating trades or installing joinery as you are to see her in a hard hat running the build.

For Carly Dewey, director of Temperley Homes, the pathway into construction was practical and hands-on from the outset.

“My pathway into construction was not typical for most builders,” she says.

“Instead of going to university, I did the Cert IV in building and construction and later the diploma. I worked with sub-contractors, residential builders and a commercial builder learning how to build, construction administration and property development.”

That experience across different sectors gave her a comprehensive understanding of the building process, from slab to handover.

Her message to women is not about quotas, but confidence.

“Women who are interested in a dynamic and challenging career should consider working in construction. 

“There is a huge opportunity for women to make their mark in the industry. If you’re capable, practical, resilient and enjoy problem solving, find an open door and come through.”

Hannah Pearce, project engineer with Complex Co., believes exposure is key. 

“Many young women simply don’t see the breadth of roles available,” she says.

“I believe early and greater exposure to the benefits of working in this field is crucial.

“Providing young women with information about the vast number of roles within the civil sector can spark their interest and show them the potential for a rewarding career.”

Hannah’s career has taken her across Australia, into remote communities and major projects that demand adaptability and leadership.

“I’ve worked all over Australia, and the experience of working in remote communities with some of the outwardly roughest but loveliest people is something I can recommend to everyone.”

Inside finished homes, the impact of construction continues long after the last tradie leaves the site.

Kiara Shah, principal interior designer at Loft Studio, works at the intersection of creativity and construction, translating vision into built form.

“My pathway began with a deep fascination for how people inhabit space,” she says.

“I didn’t want to just pick finishes; I wanted to understand the ‘why’ behind the walls.

“Construction is no longer just about physical strength; it’s about communication, complex problem-solving, and a high level of detail, areas where women naturally excel.”

She believes diversity strengthens both culture and outcomes.

“When we ‘balance the scales’ by bringing more women into the industry, we aren’t just filling a labour shortage; we are improving the culture and the output of the entire sector.”

And for Ruby Mitchell, the reward remains refreshingly tangible.

“If you are a creative person and like more hands-on work, it’s a great industry to work in,” she says.

“Few careers allow you to point to a finished structure and say, ‘I built that’.”

It’s about removing barriers, building balance

While individual stories are powerful, structural change is essential.

The Master Builders Australia State of the Workforce Report 2024 highlights the need to enhance mentoring and networking programs, promote safe and respectful site culture, provide unbiased careers education, and remove entrenched bias toward university pathways when trade apprenticeships may be equally valuable.

“Master Builders ACT is committed to removing barriers and creating clear pathways for women to succeed in trades and construction careers,” Anna Neelagama says.

Cultural change also matters. A safe, inclusive environment is non-negotiable.

Nicole Leishman, business owner and office manager at Delnas Metal Roofing, entered the industry through family, but stayed because of what she saw on site.

“I fell in love and married a tradesman,” she says.

“The more I saw the skill, problem-solving and pride that goes into every project, the more I grew to love the industry and appreciate the craftsmanship.

“Every woman who steps into the industry helps challenge outdated stereotypes about ‘who belongs on a job site’ and reshape perceptions. Visibility matters.”

Anisha Sachdeva agrees that representation shifts expectations for the next generation.

“Increasing the number of women in construction also creates strong role models,” she says.

“Visible female leaders and tradespeople help break outdated stereotypes and show young girls that construction is a viable and rewarding career path.”

In the ACT, support mechanisms are already in place. The Master Builders ACT Women in Construction group, formed in 2018, has grown into a 600-strong network. The Level the Site mentoring program provides structured, one-on-one mentoring relationships for women at every stage of their careers.

MBA Training offers mandatory white card, asbestos and silica awareness training, alongside Certificate III in Carpentry and Certificate IV in Building and Construction qualifications, practical pathways into long-term careers.

The message this International Women’s Day is not symbolic. It is strategic.

As Canberra faces the dual challenge of workforce shortages and ambitious housing targets, the industry cannot afford to overlook half the population.

Whether on the tools, in civil engineering, project management, interior design, administration or business leadership, there is a place for women in building and construction.

And as Canberra builds its next 30,000 homes, the foundations will be stronger, in every sense, when more women help lay them.

Careers start with a conversation: [email protected] or call 02 6175 5900.

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