A range of construction industry bodies and job service providers have signed a memorandum of agreement with the government to connect unemployed people with job opportunities in the government's Energy Efficient Homes Package.
The $3.9 billion package provides free ceiling insulation worth up to $1,600 for the homes of eligible owner-occupiers and insulation worth up to $1,000 for private rental properties.
It is part of the $42 billion economic stimulus package announced in February.
Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib said the agreement was a win for jobseekers, householders and the environment.
"The industry expects something like 4,000 jobs to be created out of the insulation scheme, I think there's a possibility it could be greater than that," Senator Arbib told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.
Senator Arbib said long-term jobs would be created, even though the home insulation offer ony lasts two and a half years,.
"(The industry) think that there will be ongoing jobs in the industry going forward because of the changes in terms of our environmental laws, in terms of more energy efficient housing and also energy efficiency in the commercial sector," he said.
"So many of these jobs will still be there once the program finishes."
The National Employment Services Association, the Master Builders Australia, the Housing Industry Association and the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union have all signed the agreement.
Source: AAP NewsWire