NSW construction employs 312450 full-time equivalent workers. Building work commenced reached 112.4 billion dollars in total value. Infrastructure pipelines and residential approvals drive activity across commercial sites, roads, and housing projects.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, NSW commercial construction value totalled $24.7 billion, with offices at 8.5%
- Infrastructure pipeline value $187 billion over 10 years announced for NSW 2023
- Road and highway projects under construction 56 valued $28.4 billion NSW 2023
- The total value of building work commenced in NSW reached $112.4 billion in 2023, a 7.2% increase from 2022
- Residential building work in NSW accounted for 58% of total construction value at $65.2 billion in 2023
- Non-residential construction output in NSW was $47.1 billion in 2023, up 5.9%
- In 2023, the NSW building industry employed 312,450 full-time equivalent workers, marking a 3.8% increase from 2022 driven by residential projects
- As of June 2023: June 2026, there were 45,200 apprentices and trainees in NSW construction trades, comprising 14.5% of the total workforce
- The average weekly wage for construction workers in NSW reached $2,150 in 2023, 12% higher than the national average
- In 2023, NSW approved 48,200 new residential dwellings, a 2.1% rise from 2022
- Completions of detached houses in NSW totalled 22,500 units in 2023
- Multi-unit residential approvals reached 25,700 in NSW 2023
- In 2023, NSW residential building approvals totalled 48,200 dwellings with Sydney dominating at 67%
- Detached house completions in NSW reached 22,500 units valued at $18.7 billion in 2023
- Multi-residential commencements 25,700 units, average 4.2 storeys in NSW 2023
NSW construction surged in 2023, with $112.4 billion commenced and major infrastructure driving record development.
Related reading
01 · Category
Commercial and Infrastructure20 stats
01
In 2023, NSW commercial construction value totalled $24.7 billion, with offices at 8.5%
02
Infrastructure pipeline value $187 billion over 10 years announced for NSW 2023
03
Road and highway projects under construction 56 valued $28.4 billion NSW 2023
04
Sydney Metro expansions approved 4 lines, $25 billion value 2023
05
Hospital builds 12 projects $4.8 billion in NSW 2023
06
Data centre construction boom 15 sites $3.2 billion NSW 2023
07
Retail centre developments 28 projects $2.1 billion NSW 2023
08
Industrial warehouse approvals 620, 2.4 million sqm NSW 2023
09
School builds and upgrades 1,450 projects $5.6 billion NSW 2023-24
10
Renewable energy infra 22 projects $12.3 billion NSW 2023
11
Port expansions value $1.9 billion at Port Botany NSW 2023
12
Office completions 180,000 sqm in Sydney CBD NSW 2023
13
Water treatment plants 9 upgrades $2.7 billion NSW 2023
14
Stadium and venue projects 5 major $4.1 billion NSW 2023
15
Logistics parks developed 14 sites 1.8 million sqm NSW 2023
16
Rail line extensions 3 projects $8.9 billion NSW 2023
17
Aged care facilities 320 beds added $1.2 billion NSW 2023
18
Hotel and hospitality builds 22 projects $1.5 billion NSW 2023
19
Airport expansions Parramatta Light Rail stage 2 $2.3 billion 2023
20
Defence facilities 8 sites $3.4 billion NSW 2023
Interpretation
Commercial and Infrastructure Interpretation
While NSW is constructing enough offices, warehouses, and data centres to house a small empire, it’s clear the real money and muscle are going into the foundational arteries of the state—roads, rails, hospitals, schools, and the renewable energy grid that will power it all.
02 · Category
Construction Output and Value26 stats
01
The total value of building work commenced in NSW reached $112.4 billion in 2023, a 7.2% increase from 2022
02
Residential building work in NSW accounted for 58% of total construction value at $65.2 billion in 2023
03
Non-residential construction output in NSW was $47.1 billion in 2023, up 5.9%
04
Engineering construction value in NSW hit $28.6 billion in 2023, driven by infrastructure
05
Value of work done in NSW building industry grew 6.8% to $105.3 billion in 2022-23 FY
06
Sydney metropolitan area contributed 68% of NSW construction value, $76.5 billion in 2023
07
Alterations and additions work valued $9.8 billion in NSW in 2023
08
Public sector construction spending in NSW was $32.4 billion in 2023-24 budget
09
Private sector non-residential builds totalled $24.7 billion in NSW 2023
10
Road and bridge construction value reached $12.2 billion in NSW in 2023
11
Average project value for NSW residential builds was $450,000in 2023
12
Construction GDP contribution in NSW was 8.2% or $45.6 billion in 2023
13
Value of dwelling commencements in NSW was $42.1 billion in 2023
14
Multi-residential construction value $22.4 billion in NSW 2023
15
Industrial building work valued $8.9 billion in NSW in 2023
16
Hospital and health facility construction $4.5 billion in NSW 2023
17
Retail commercial builds totalled $3.2 billion in NSW 2023
18
Education sector construction value $5.1 billion in NSW 2023-24
19
Work-in-progress value for NSW construction was $189.2 billion at end-2023
20
Heavy engineering output $16.8 billion in NSW 2023
21
Office building construction declined to $2.1 billion in NSW 2023
22
Total factor productivity in NSW construction rose 1.8% in 2023
23
Regional NSW construction value $35.7 billion in 2023
24
Prefabricated building components market $4.2 billion in NSW 2023
25
Demolition and site prep work $2.9 billion in NSW 2023
26
Green building certifications contributed $7.3 billion in value NSW 2023
Interpretation
Construction Output and Value Interpretation
The New South Wales building industry has clearly decided that if you're going to rebuild a state, you might as well do it comprehensively, pouring over $112 billion into everything from dream homes and crucial hospitals to the bridges we complain about while crossing them.
03 · Category
Employment and Labour30 stats
01
In 2023, the NSW building industry employed 312,450 full-time equivalent workers, marking a 3.8% increase from 2022 driven by residential projects
02
As of June 2023: June 2026, there were 45,200 apprentices and trainees in NSW construction trades, comprising 14.5% of the total workforce
03
The average weekly wage for construction workers in NSW reached $2,150in 2023, 12% higher than the national average
04
Female participation in NSW building industry roles grew to 12.3% in 2023 from 9.8% in 2020
05
NSW construction sector vacancy rate stood at 4.7% in Q4 2023, highest among all industries
06
Over 28,500 new construction jobs were created in NSW in the 2022-2023 financial year
07
Indigenous employment in NSW building industry was 2.8% in 2023, up 0.5% from prior year
08
65% of NSW construction workers were aged 25-44 in 2023, with median age of 38 years
09
Labour turnover rate in NSW construction was 18.2% in 2023, driven by skill shortages
10
7,200 migrant workers entered NSW construction visas in 2023
11
Trade qualification holders comprised 72% of NSW building workforce in 2023
12
Overtime hours averaged 5.2 per week for NSW construction workers in 2023
13
Youth unemployment in NSW construction dropped to 8.1% in 2023 from 11.2%
14
42% of NSW construction firms reported labour shortages as top issue in 2023 survey
15
Supervisory roles in NSW building grew by 6.1% to 22,400 in 2023
16
Part-time workers made up 11.5% of NSW construction employment in 2023
17
3,450 construction training completions occurred in NSW TAFE in 2023
18
Wage growth in NSW building trades was 5.4% year-on-year in Q3 2023
19
Self-employed contractors numbered 95,600 in NSW construction in 2023
20
Regional NSW construction employment rose 4.2% to 112,300 in 2023
21
18% of NSW construction workers held supervisory certifications in 2023
22
Labour productivity in NSW building industry improved 2.1% to $185,000 per worker in 2023
23
52,100 workers aged over 55 in NSW construction in 2023
24
New entrant training programs engaged 12,400 NSW youth in 2023
25
Union membership in NSW construction was 28% in 2023
26
Female apprentices in NSW building trades reached 4,200 in 2023
27
Shift work prevalence was 22% among NSW construction employees in 2023
28
6,800 redundancies occurred in NSW construction in 2023 due to project delays
29
Skilled migration filled 15% of NSW construction vacancies in 2023
30
Average tenure for NSW construction workers was 4.8 years in 2023
Interpretation
Employment and Labour Interpretation
While the New South Wales construction industry is building a promising future with higher wages, more women, and thousands of new jobs, it's simultaneously trying to construct its own workforce out of apprentices, migrant visas, and sheer overtime to fill a gaping hole where experienced tradespeople should be.
More related reading
04 · Category
Project Approvals and Completions27 stats
01
In 2023, NSW approved 48,200 new residential dwellings, a 2.1% rise from 2022
02
Completions of detached houses in NSW totalled 22,500 units in 2023
03
Multi-unit residential approvals reached 25,700 in NSW 2023
04
Total building approvals value $78.4 billion in NSW 2023
05
Commercial building approvals numbered 1,820 projects in NSW 2023
06
Infrastructure project approvals totalled 156 major works in NSW 2023
07
Dwelling completions in NSW hit 38,900 units in 2023, up 1.8%
08
Sydney approved 32,100 dwellings in 2023, 67% of state total
09
Time from approval to commencement averaged 4.2 months for NSW residential in 2023
10
1,250 schools and education facilities approved in NSW 2023
11
Hospital project approvals 45 in NSW 2023, value $3.2 billion
12
Industrial approvals 620 sites in NSW 2023
13
Rejection rate for NSW building applications was 3.4% in 2023
14
Major project declarations numbered 28 in NSW 2023 under Part 4
15
Completions of apartments 16,400 units in NSW 2023
16
Retail approvals value $1.8 billion in NSW 2023
17
Road infrastructure approvals 112 projects worth $10.5 billion NSW 2023
18
Heritage-listed project modifications approved 320 in NSW 2023
19
Average approval time for residential DA was 112 days in NSW councils 2023
20
State-significant developments approved 12 in NSW 2023
21
Low-rise housing approvals 8,900 units NSW 2023
22
Office approvals declined 15% to 210 projects NSW 2023
23
Water utility projects approved 34, value $2.4 billion NSW 2023
24
Completions lag vs approvals was 12,300 dwellings NSW 2023
25
Greenfield subdivision approvals 4,200 lots NSW 2023
26
Compliance certificates issued 42,500 for NSW completions 2023
27
Affordable housing approvals 2,100 units under NSW schemes 2023
Interpretation
Project Approvals and Completions Interpretation
While celebrating a modest 2.1% rise in approvals, NSW is stuck in a frustrating game of catch-up, where 48,200 new plans hit the desk but only 38,900 keys hit doors, leaving the state building more blueprints than bedrooms as it desperately tries to pave, wire, and plumb its way out of a housing crisis.
05 · Category
Residential Building25 stats
01
In 2023, NSW residential building approvals totalled 48,200 dwellings with Sydney dominating at 67%
02
Detached house completions in NSW reached 22,500 units valued at $18.7 billion in 2023
03
Multi-residential commencements 25,700 units, average 4.2 storeys in NSW 2023
04
Average cost of new house build in NSW was $452,000in Q4 2023
05
NSW house price index for new builds rose 6.1% to $1.12 million median 2023
06
16,400 apartment completions in NSW 2023, with 62% in Sydney metro
07
Townhouse and semi-detached approvals 9,800 units NSW 2023
08
Renovation work value in residential sector $12.5 billion NSW 2023
09
Vacant residential land sales 15,200 lots in NSW 2023
10
Low-rise medium density completions 7,200 units NSW 2023
11
Affordable rental housing completions 1,800 units via NSW govt 2023
12
Median time to build new detached house 10.2 months NSW 2023
13
Oversupply of apartments led to 4.2% vacancy rate in Sydney 2023
14
Prefab and modular homes 2,400 units in NSW residential 2023
15
Heritage residential alterations approved 1,250 NSW 2023
16
Strata subdivisions registered 11,600 in NSW 2023
17
Energy-efficient new homes 68% of NSW approvals 2023
18
Regional residential approvals 12,400 dwellings NSW 2023
19
First home buyer grants issued for 18,500 NSW homes 2023
20
High-density towers over 10 storeys 420 approved NSW 2023
21
Residential defects claims totalled 3,200 in NSW 2023
22
Bushfire-prone residential builds 4,800 NSW 2023
23
Social housing completions 3,100 units NSW 2023
24
Tiny homes and granny flats approved 2,900 NSW 2023
25
Residential construction employment 185,000 FTE NSW 2023
Interpretation
Residential Building Interpretation
Despite a veritable frenzy of construction—from towering high-rises to tiny granny flats—the New South Wales building industry in 2023 resembled a high-stakes game of Jenga, where frantic activity, soaring prices, and an oversupply of apartments precariously balanced against a critical shortage of affordable and social housing.
06 · Category
Safety, Regulations, and Sustainability27 stats
01
In 2023, NSW construction fatalities numbered 18, down 10% from 2022
02
Lost time injury frequency rate in NSW building was 12.4 per million hours 2023
03
42% of NSW construction incidents involved falls from height in 2023
04
Compliance audits conducted 5,200 on NSW sites in 2023
05
Green Star certified buildings reached 156 new in NSW 2023
06
Defects rectification orders issued 2,850 for NSW residential 2023
07
NABERS energy ratings 5-star or higher for 78% new commercial NSW 2023
08
Silica dust exposure violations 1,420 fines NSW construction 2023
09
BASIX compliance rate 96.2% for NSW residential approvals 2023
10
Mental health programs implemented on 1,250 NSW sites 2023
11
Prosecutions for safety breaches 340 cases NSW building 2023
12
Carbon emissions from NSW construction down 4.1% to 12.4 MtCO2e 2023
13
Licensed builders in NSW totalled 52,400 active in 2023
14
Heat stress incidents 890 reported NSW sites summer 2023
15
Waste diversion rate from landfill 72% in NSW construction 2023
16
Asbestos removal notifications 14,200 for NSW demos 2023
17
SWMS reviews passed 98% first time NSW large projects 2023
18
Solar PV installations on new builds 45% NSW residential 2023
19
Noise complaints resolved 3,400 from construction NSW 2023
20
WHS training completions 89,500 workers NSW 2023
21
Biodiversity offsets for 220 projects NSW development 2023
22
Fire safety orders rectified 1,120 buildings NSW 2023
23
Water efficiency targets met 92% NSW new commercial 2023
24
Crane incidents 56 reported NSW construction 2023
25
Net zero commitments by 34 major NSW builders 2023
26
Rectified building defects fund claims $45 million NSW 2023
27
Electric vehicle charging infra in 15% new NSW carparks 2023
Interpretation
Safety, Regulations, and Sustainability Interpretation
While the industry's head is cautiously held higher with falling fatalities and rising green stars, its feet remain perilously tangled in the persistent hazards of falls, silica, and heat, proving that building a safer, smarter future is a complex and ongoing renovation project.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Nsw Building Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nsw-building-industry-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Nsw Building Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/nsw-building-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Nsw Building Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nsw-building-industry-statistics.
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