The Canberra-first project will involve women construction workers building two four-bedroom Housing ACT properties for people with disabilities in Richardson.

ACT Minister for Women Joy Burch said the project aimed to increase female participation in the building industry.

Ms Burch said research indicated that women, in comparison to their male counterparts, received significantly less encouragement through counselling programs to pursue a career in the construction industry.

''We will be working closely with our partners to inspire more women to consider careers in the sector, but also to address the gender inequality and skills shortage in the construction industry,'' Ms Burch said.

And the gender shift in construction could help Australia's flailing skilled labour market.

The mining boom has created a skilled labour shortage, providing opportunities for women to move into male dominated occupations.

National Association of Women in Construction (ACT) president Helen Badger said women have the competence and ability to fill the shortage of skilled labour in Australia.

''Women currently work in all aspects of the construction industry but only in small numbers,'' Ms Badger said.

''Women are starting to take on the trades in greater numbers and are proving to be very successful in these non-traditional roles.''

Ms Badger said the project would recognise women already in the industry and raise awareness that there are career opportunities for women in the construction industry.