Australia’s building industry covers residential, non-residential, and the road, bridge, and engineering works that support everyday life. Recent data highlights how activity is moving unevenly across sectors, with industrial growth tied to logistics demand and investment trends shaping delivery. Explore employment and workforce participation, safety performance, and how technologies like digital twins and modular construction are affecting project efficiency and timelines.
Key Takeaways
- Office building commencements valued $12.4 billion in FY2024, down 9% YoY
- Retail construction work $8.7 billion in 2023-24, focused on warehouse conversions
- Industrial building output $22.1 billion in FY2024, up 15% driven by logistics demand
- The total value of construction work done in Australia reached $268.4 billion in 2023-24 financial year, up 8.2% from previous year
- Residential building contributed $143.7 billion to construction output in 2023-24, representing 53.6% of total
- Non-residential construction output was $98.2 billion in FY2024, driven by engineering works at 42%
- In June 2024, the Australian construction industry employed 1,189,300 people, marking a 2.1% increase from June 2023
- The building and construction sector accounted for 9.4% of total Australian employment in Q2 2024, with 1.2 million full-time equivalent workers
- Women represented only 13.2% of the construction workforce in Australia as of 2023, up from 11.8% in 2020, totaling 152,000 female workers
- Construction fatalities 27 in 2023, rate 2.2 per 100,000 workers down 8% YoY
- Lost time injury frequency rate 1.8 per million hours in construction 2023
- 42% of construction firms adopted digital twins by 2024, improving project efficiency 15%
- Number of new detached houses commenced 84,200 in 2023-24, down 3.5% YoY but value up due to costs
- Semi-detached and terrace houses commencements 21,500 in FY2024, up 8.2% from prior year
- Apartment and unit commencements totalled 24,100 in 2023-24, 14% decline due to high-rise slowdown
Australian construction grew in 2023 to 2024, but office starts fell while industrial and logistics demand surged.
Related reading
01 · Category
Commercial And Infrastructure20 stats
01
Office building commencements valued $12.4 billion in FY2024, down 9% YoY
02
Retail construction work $8.7 billion in 2023-24, focused on warehouse conversions
03
Industrial building output $22.1 billion in FY2024, up 15% driven by logistics demand
04
Road and bridge infrastructure spend $28.5 billion in 2023-24 federal budget allocation
05
Rail construction value $18.9 billion in FY2024, including Inland Rail project at $14bn
06
Port and airport infrastructure $9.2 billion commenced 2023-24
07
Hospital building works $7.6 billion in 2023-24, part of health precinct developments
08
Education facilities construction $5.4 billion FY2024, schools and unis expansion
09
Renewable energy infrastructure (solar/wind substations) $12.8 billion in construction 2024
10
Water and sewerage engineering $10.3 billion work done 2023-24
11
Defence infrastructure projects valued $16.1 billion commenced FY2024
12
Data centre construction pipeline $8.5 billion under construction 2024
13
Hotel and accommodation builds $4.2 billion in 2023-24, tourism recovery
14
Stadium and sports facilities $3.9 billion ongoing projects 2024 Olympics prep
15
Mining infrastructure construction $25.7 billion FY2024, critical minerals focus
16
Telecommunications towers and fibre $6.1 billion deployed 2023-24
17
Urban renewal precincts commercial value $11.2 billion approvals 2024
18
Total pipeline engineering projects $570 billion to 2034 per IA 2024 list
19
Hazardous materials remediation sites 450 projects valued $2.8bn in 2023
20
Green building certifications 1,250 commercial projects in 2024, 6-star NABERS avg
Interpretation
Commercial And Infrastructure Interpretation
Australia’s Commercial and Infrastructure pipeline is strengthening where logistics and transport investment are concentrated, with industrial building output rising to $22.1 billion in FY2024 and rail construction reaching $18.9 billion including Inland Rail at $14 billion, even as office commencements slip to $12.4 billion in FY2024 down 9 percent year on year.
02 · Category
Economic Value And Output24 stats
01
The total value of construction work done in Australia reached $268.4 billion in 2023-24 financial year, up 8.2% from previous year
02
Residential building contributed $143.7 billion to construction output in 2023-24, representing 53.6% of total
03
Non-residential construction output was $98.2 billion in FY2024, driven by engineering works at 42%
04
Construction industry's GDP contribution was 9.1% or $262 billion in 2023 calendar year
05
Total capital expenditure on construction assets hit $115 billion in 2023-24, up 6.5%
06
Engineering construction work done valued $112.4 billion in 2023-24, 41.9% of total construction
07
Public sector construction spending $78.6 billion in FY2024, 29% of total output
08
Private sector non-residential output $52.1 billion in 2023-24, up 4.8% YoY
09
Construction import value reached $45.3 billion in 2023, mainly materials like steel and cement
10
Industry export value for construction services $12.7 billion in FY2024, focused on mining projects
11
Cost escalation in construction averaged 5.8% in 2023, totaling $15.6 billion extra spend
12
Profit margins in construction firms averaged 3.2% in 2023, down from 4.1% in 2022 due to labour costs
13
Total value of dwelling commencements $155.2 billion in 2023-24, record high
14
Non-dwelling building approvals valued $28.4 billion in FY2024, up 12% YoY
15
Infrastructure investment pipeline $120 billion over next decade announced in 2024 budget
16
Construction sector multiplier effect contributed $1.45to GDP per $1 spent in 2023
17
Total wages and salaries in construction $120.5 billion in FY2023, 12% of national total
18
Business insolvencies in construction 1,856 in 2023, highest of any sector at 28% of total
19
Average project value for residential builds $450,000in 2024, up 7% from 2023
20
Construction lending approvals $85.6 billion in 2023-24, 92% for housing
21
Supply chain costs added 15% to project budgets in 2023, equating to $40bn impact
22
Carbon pricing impact on construction costs $2.1 billion annually projected for 2025
23
Detached house construction value $92.4 billion in FY2024, 61% of residential total
24
Total new dwelling approvals 169,800 in 2023-24, valued at $120.5 billion collectively
Interpretation
Economic Value And Output Interpretation
Australia’s construction sector is delivering rising economic value with total work reaching $268.4 billion in 2023–24 up 8.2%, and non-residential engineering alone accounting for $112.4 billion or 41.9%, underscoring strong output growth and a clear shift toward major engineering activity.
03 · Category
Employment Statistics29 stats
01
In June 2024, the Australian construction industry employed 1,189,300 people, marking a 2.1% increase from June 2023
02
The building and construction sector accounted for 9.4% of total Australian employment in Q2 2024, with 1.2 million full-time equivalent workers
03
Women represented only 13.2% of the construction workforce in Australia as of 2023, up from 11.8% in 2020, totaling 152,000 female workers
04
Apprentices and trainees in construction numbered 137,200 in 2023, comprising 11.5% of the total workforce, with a completion rate of 68.4%
05
Average weekly earnings in construction reached $2,350in May 2024, 28% higher than the all-industries average of $1,888
06
Construction unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in July 2024, below the national average of 4.2%, with 45,000 unemployed workers
07
Over 250,000 construction workers were aged 45+ in 2023, representing 21% of the workforce and highlighting skills shortage risks
08
Indigenous employment in construction was 3.1% of the workforce in 2023, or 37,000 workers, with participation rates improving by 15% since 2016
09
Job vacancies in construction hit 45,600 in May 2024, up 12% from 2023, driven by residential building demand
10
Labour productivity in construction grew by 1.2% in 2023, lagging behind the economy-wide 1.8% due to supply chain issues
11
Migrant workers comprised 28% of construction employment in 2023, with 334,000 from non-English speaking backgrounds
12
Underemployment in construction was 7.5% in Q1 2024, affecting 89,000 workers seeking more hours
13
Construction managers numbered 85,400 in 2023, with a 4.5% employment growth over five years
14
Site supervisors and foremen totaled 62,000 in 2024, facing a shortage of 15,000 positions nationally
15
Bricklayers employment was 45,200 in 2023, with 8,200 vacancies reported due to housing boom
16
Carpenters and joiners employed 92,100 in 2023, representing the largest trade occupation at 7.7% of workforce
17
Electricians in construction numbered 78,500 in 2024, with apprenticeship commencements up 10% YoY
18
Plumbers totalled 54,300 in building sector 2023, with licensing requirements met by 92% of workforce
19
Painters and decorators employed 48,000 in 2023, with 65% self-employed contractors
20
Construction labourers numbered 145,000 in 2024, with high turnover rate of 22% annually
21
Engineers in construction totalled 112,000 in 2023, 15% growth since 2018 driven by infrastructure projects
22
Architects and landscape architects numbered 38,200 in building design 2023, facing 5,200 vacancy shortfall
23
Surveyors in construction employed 12,500 in 2024, with digital skills gap affecting 40% of roles
24
Heavy machinery operators totalled 67,400 in construction 2023, up 18% from 2019
25
Building inspectors numbered 8,900 in 2023, with compliance rates at 94% for new dwellings
26
Quantity surveyors employed 14,200 in 2024, critical for cost management in $200bn industry
27
Total construction training hours delivered 12.5 million in 2023 via TAFE and RTOs
28
Youth employment (15-24) in construction was 8.2% of workforce, or 97,000 in 2023
29
Regional construction employment 620,000 in 2024, 52% of national total
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Employment in Australia’s building and construction sector looks relatively strong in 2024, with 1,189,300 people employed in June 2024 and the construction unemployment rate at 3.8% in July 2024, both pointing to a healthier jobs situation than the national average.
More related reading
04 · Category
Industry Trends And Safety20 stats
01
Construction fatalities 27 in 2023, rate 2.2 per 100,000 workers down 8% YoY
02
Lost time injury frequency rate 1.8 per million hours in construction 2023
03
42% of construction firms adopted digital twins by 2024, improving project efficiency 15%
04
Modular construction adoption 18% of projects in 2024, reducing timelines by 20-30%
05
Net zero commitments by major builders 65% in 2024, targeting 2030 compliance
06
BIM usage in large projects 78% in 2023, mandatory in VIC/NSW tenders
07
Mental health programs implemented in 52% of sites 2024, reducing absenteeism 12%
08
AI predictive maintenance used in 35% of heavy equipment fleets 2024, cutting downtime 22%
09
Safety incidents fell 14% in 2023 after WHS harmonization updates
10
Drone usage for site inspections 62% of firms 2024, improving safety compliance 25%
11
ESG reporting mandatory for ASX200 builders from 2024, 92% compliance rate
12
Heat stress incidents 1,250 reported in summer 2023-24, new guidelines issued
13
Prefab offsite manufacturing 25% of components in 2024 projects, waste reduction 40%
14
Cyber security breaches in construction supply chains 180 incidents 2023, up 30%
15
Diversity training completion 88% workforce 2024, female retention up 18%
16
Electrification of sites 47% using EV machinery by 2024, emissions down 35%
17
Regulatory compliance audits passed 91% of 12,500 sites in 2023
18
5G enabled smart sites in 320 major projects 2024, productivity +12%
19
Waste diversion from landfill 72% in metro builds 2023, national target 80% by 2025
20
Robotics in bricklaying trialled on 45 sites 2024, labour savings 25%
Interpretation
Industry Trends And Safety Interpretation
Australia’s construction safety outlook is improving alongside rapid digital adoption, with construction fatalities falling to 27 in 2023 at a 2.2 per 100,000 rate while BIM reaches 78% in large projects and modular construction is used in 18% of 2024 projects, helping cut timelines by 20 to 30%.
05 · Category
Residential Construction20 stats
01
Number of new detached houses commenced 84,200 in 2023-24, down 3.5% YoY but value up due to costs
02
Semi-detached and terrace houses commencements 21,500 in FY2024, up 8.2% from prior year
03
Apartment and unit commencements totalled 24,100 in 2023-24, 14% decline due to high-rise slowdown
04
Average floor area of new detached houses 230 sqm in 2023, down 2% from 2022 peak
05
Residential construction costs index rose 6.8% YoY to June 2024, highest in NSW at 7.2%
06
Housing completions reached 170,500 dwellings in 2023 calendar year, supply shortfall of 50,000
07
New home builds financed by owner-occupiers 82% of total residential lending in 2024
08
Prefabricated housing market share 12% of new builds in 2023, up from 8% in 2020
09
Energy-efficient homes (7-star rating) comprised 45% of new approvals in 2024, mandated nationally
10
Renovations and alterations value $28.6 billion in FY2024, 20% of residential output
11
Median time to build new house 8.5 months in 2023, delayed by 1.2 months avg due to labour shortages
12
Bushfire-resistant building approvals 15,200 in high-risk areas 2023-24, up 22%
13
Flood-resilient designs in 12,500 new homes in QLD/NSW 2024, post-2022 floods
14
Tiny homes (under 60sqm) approvals 4,200 in 2023, 2.5% of total dwellings
15
Multi-unit residential vacancy rates 1.8% nationally in 2024, pressuring new supply
16
Average cost to build detached house $3,200/sqm in Q2 2024, up 5.5% YoY
17
Social housing construction 18,500 units commenced in 2023-24 under NHF
18
First home buyer grants supported 35,000 residential builds valued $16bn in FY2024
19
Sustainable materials used in 62% of new homes 2023, recycled content avg 15%
20
New residential addresses approved 223,500 in 2023-24, record high but commencements lag
Interpretation
Residential Construction Interpretation
Across Residential Construction, housing starts are still strong but shifting, with 84,200 new detached houses commenced in 2023 to 24 down 3.5 percent year on year while overall construction costs climbed 6.8 percent, and apartment commencements fell 14 percent amid a high rise slowdown.
Reference
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APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Australia Building Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-building-industry-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Australia Building Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-building-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Australia Building Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-building-industry-statistics.
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