The Council of Trade Unions says the Government can't be surprised if workers head to Australia

The West Australian Government is offering New Zealand tradies 10-thousand dollars to make the move to work in building and construction jobs.

CTU President Richard Wagstaff says it could be an appealing offer - and it's inevitable people will go overseas if New Zealand wages don't rise.

Wagstaff says if we don't invest in keeping that workforce we'll be easy prey for countries looking for workers.