From the dynamic cranes reshaping our skylines to the quiet hum of planning offices, Queensland's construction sector isn't just building structures—it's a $62.4 billion economic powerhouse employing over 278,400 people and fundamentally shaping the state's future.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022-23, the Queensland construction industry employed 278,400 persons, representing 11.2% of total state employment
- The average weekly earnings for construction workers in Queensland stood at $2,456 in November 2023, up 4.8% from the previous year
- Female participation in the Queensland construction workforce was 13.5% in 2023, with 37,600 women employed in the sector
- The construction industry contributed $41.2 billion to Queensland's Gross State Product in 2022-23, or 8.9% of GSP
- Total construction work done in Queensland reached $62.4 billion in 2022-23, up 12.3% from prior year
- Residential construction output in Queensland was $28.7 billion in 2022-23, representing 46% of total construction value
- Number of dwelling units approved in Queensland reached 48,200 in 2022-23, valued at $18.9 billion
- Value of non-residential building approvals in Queensland was $7.4 billion in 2022-23
- Engineering construction commencements in Queensland totaled $25.3 billion in 2022-23
- The lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) in Queensland construction was 1.2 per million hours worked in 2022-23
- There were 14 fatalities in the Queensland construction industry in 2022-23, a rate of 5.0 per 100,000 workers
- 2,450 serious workers' compensation claims were lodged in Queensland construction in 2022-23
- 67% of construction businesses in Queensland hold current builder licenses, with 12,500 low-rise class licenses active in 2023
- 3,200 building approval applications were rejected in Queensland in 2022-23 due to non-compliance
- Fines totaling $4.5 million issued for construction regulatory breaches in Queensland 2022-23
Queensland's construction industry is a vital and growing employer contributing billions to the state economy.
Economic Contribution
- The construction industry contributed $41.2 billion to Queensland's Gross State Product in 2022-23, or 8.9% of GSP
- Total construction work done in Queensland reached $62.4 billion in 2022-23, up 12.3% from prior year
- Residential construction output in Queensland was $28.7 billion in 2022-23, representing 46% of total construction value
- Non-residential building construction generated $15.9 billion in Queensland during 2022-23
- Engineering construction turnover in Queensland hit $31.8 billion in 2022-23, a 15.2% increase
- Construction industry exports from Queensland totaled $4.2 billion in 2022-23, mainly modular buildings
- The multiplier effect of construction spending in Queensland was estimated at 2.8, generating $115 billion in indirect economic activity
- Business entries in Queensland construction rose by 8.7% to 42,300 in 2022-23
- Construction firms in Queensland reported average profitability of 6.2% in 2023
- Government construction expenditure in Queensland was $12.6 billion in 2022-23, 20.2% of total sector value
- Private sector investment in Queensland construction reached $49.8 billion in 2022-23
- The value of construction work commenced in Queensland was $68.1 billion in 2022-23, up 10.9%
- Construction wages bill in Queensland totaled $38.5 billion in 2022-23
Economic Contribution Interpretation
While Queenslanders slept soundly under their shiny new roofs, the construction industry spent the year quietly stacking economic bricks, laying $41.2 billion directly into the state’s foundation and another $115 billion in economic ripple effects, proving that a hard hat’s true job is to protect a golden goose.
Employment Statistics
- In 2022-23, the Queensland construction industry employed 278,400 persons, representing 11.2% of total state employment
- The average weekly earnings for construction workers in Queensland stood at $2,456 in November 2023, up 4.8% from the previous year
- Female participation in the Queensland construction workforce was 13.5% in 2023, with 37,600 women employed in the sector
- Apprentices and trainees in Queensland construction numbered 18,200 in 2023, accounting for 6.5% of the total workforce
- The construction industry in Queensland saw 12,400 new jobs created in the 2022-23 financial year, a growth rate of 4.7%
- Indigenous employment in Queensland construction reached 4,200 workers in 2023, or 1.5% of the sector's workforce
- Youth employment (aged 15-24) in Queensland construction was 28,100 in 2023, comprising 10.1% of total employment
- The unemployment rate in Queensland's construction sector was 3.2% in December 2023, below the state average of 4.1%
- Over 45,000 construction workers in Queensland were engaged in residential building subsector in 2023
- Migrant workers made up 22.4% of Queensland construction employment in 2022-23, totaling 62,400 individuals
- Part-time employment in Queensland construction was 15.3% of the workforce, or 42,600 workers in 2023
- Skilled tradespeople accounted for 58.7% of Queensland construction jobs in 2023, numbering 163,400
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While Queensland's construction industry flexes its impressive economic muscles with strong growth and solid wages, it still needs to work on its core strength by building a more diverse crew that better reflects the community it builds for.
Project Volumes and Values
- Number of dwelling units approved in Queensland reached 48,200 in 2022-23, valued at $18.9 billion
- Value of non-residential building approvals in Queensland was $7.4 billion in 2022-23
- Engineering construction commencements in Queensland totaled $25.3 billion in 2022-23
- Residential renovations in Queensland had a value of $4.1 billion in approvals during 2022-23
- Total floor area approved for buildings in Queensland was 12.4 million square meters in 2022-23
- Number of multi-residential dwelling approvals in Queensland was 15,600 units in 2022-23
- Value of road and bridge construction projects in Queensland reached $8.9 billion in 2022-23
- Commercial office building approvals valued $2.3 billion in Queensland during 2022-23
- Hospital and health facility construction value in Queensland was $3.2 billion approved in 2022-23
- Retail and wholesale building approvals totaled $1.8 billion in Queensland 2022-23
- Educational building projects approved value reached $2.1 billion in Queensland 2022-23
- Value of house approvals in Queensland was $12.4 billion for 32,600 houses in 2022-23
- Pipeline and water supply construction commencements valued $4.7 billion in Queensland 2022-23
Project Volumes and Values Interpretation
Queensland's construction industry, in a heroic feat of logistical optimism, is currently trying to build, pave, plumb, and renovate the equivalent of a small, well-equipped country all at once, with a collective tab of over $80 billion.
Regulatory Compliance
- 67% of construction businesses in Queensland hold current builder licenses, with 12,500 low-rise class licenses active in 2023
- 3,200 building approval applications were rejected in Queensland in 2022-23 due to non-compliance
- Fines totaling $4.5 million issued for construction regulatory breaches in Queensland 2022-23
- 95% of Queensland construction projects met Building Code of Australia standards in 2023 audits
- Number of licensed plumbers in Queensland construction sector was 8,900 in 2023
- 1,450 rectification orders served on defective construction works in Queensland 2022-23
- Compliance with Queensland Development Code was 88% across 2,500 inspected projects in 2023
- 76% of construction contracts in Queensland included standard QBCC insurance in 2023
- Audits found 420 unlicensed operators fined $1.2 million in Queensland construction 2022-23
- Sustainable procurement policies adopted by 62% of Queensland government construction projects in 2023
Regulatory Compliance Interpretation
While Queensland's construction industry shows a sturdy framework with high licensing and code compliance, the persistent rhythm of fines, rejections, and rectifications reveals a sector still hammering out the kinks between solid standards and slipshod execution.
Safety and Incidents
- The lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) in Queensland construction was 1.2 per million hours worked in 2022-23
- There were 14 fatalities in the Queensland construction industry in 2022-23, a rate of 5.0 per 100,000 workers
- 2,450 serious workers' compensation claims were lodged in Queensland construction in 2022-23
- Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 42% of construction injuries in Queensland in 2023, totaling 1,029 cases
- Falls from height caused 28% of serious injuries in Queensland construction in 2022-23
- 85% of Queensland construction sites complied with safety regulations during 2023 inspections
- Heat-related illnesses reported 320 cases in Queensland construction during summer 2022-23
- Electrical incidents in construction numbered 156 in Queensland 2022-23
- 1,200 safety improvement notices issued to construction firms in Queensland in 2023
- Crane-related incidents totaled 45 in Queensland construction in 2022-23
- Mental health claims in construction rose 18% to 450 cases in Queensland 2022-23
- Compliance rate with scaffold regulations was 92% on Queensland sites in 2023
Safety and Incidents Interpretation
While Queensland's construction safety record shows promising compliance rates, the grim reality of 14 lives lost, along with thousands of serious injuries ranging from falls and muscle strains to heatstroke and mental health crises, proves there’s still a dangerous gap between the rules on paper and the risks on the ground.
Sustainability and Trends
- Waste diversion from landfill in Queensland construction projects averaged 72% in 2022-23
- 45% of new Queensland construction projects incorporated solar PV systems in 2023
- Embodied carbon emissions from construction materials in Queensland reduced by 12% since 2019 to 18 MtCO2-e in 2023
- 3,200 green building certifications awarded under Green Star in Queensland up to 2023
- Water usage in Queensland construction sites averaged 1.2 kL per $1 million value in 2022-23
- 28% growth in use of recycled materials in Queensland construction, reaching 2.4 million tonnes in 2023
- Modular and prefabricated construction accounted for 15% of residential projects in Queensland 2023
- Energy-efficient designs in 52% of new Queensland commercial buildings in 2022-23
- Biodiversity net gain achieved in 35% of Queensland infrastructure projects in 2023
- Digital twin technology adopted in 22% of major Queensland construction projects by 2023
Sustainability and Trends Interpretation
While Queensland's construction industry still has mountains of concrete to climb, the state is clearly building its future with more solar panels than dumpsters, proving that even in a sector known for its heavy footprint, green shoots can take root.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 2QGSOqgso.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 3TREASURYtreasury.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 4BUSINESSbusiness.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 5MASTERBUILDERSmasterbuilders.com.auVisit source
- Reference 6TMRtmr.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 7HEALTHhealth.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 8EDUCATIONeducation.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 9WORKSAFEworksafe.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 10QLDqld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 11QBCCqbcc.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 12ABCBabcb.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 13STATEDEVELOPMENTstatedevelopment.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 14HPWhpw.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 15ENERGYenergy.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 16DSDIPdsdip.qld.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 17NEWnew.gbca.org.auVisit source
- Reference 18RECYCLINGNEARYOUrecyclingnearyou.com.auVisit source