Western Australia Construction Industry Statistics 2026

Construction in Western Australia spans housing and major infrastructure, shaping both output and employment across the state. Explore how activity is tracking—from residential approvals and non-residential construction value to the skills pipeline of apprentices and trainees. You’ll also see workforce makeup and wage levels, alongside safety and compliance signals such as injury rates and scaffold audit results, plus where demand and technology adoption are heading.

Key Takeaways

WA construction contributed $28.4 billion to state GDP in 2021-22, or 8.7% of total GSP.
Total value of construction work done in WA reached $42.7 billion in 2022-23.
Residential building approvals in WA totaled $12.3 billion in value for 2023.
In 2022, Western Australia's construction industry employed 128,500 full-time equivalent workers, accounting for 9.2% of the state's total employment.
The average weekly wage for construction workers in Western Australia was $2,150 in the June 2023 quarter, 25% higher than the national average.
Women represented 12.4% of the construction workforce in Western Australia as of 2023, up from 10.1% in 2019.
METRONET rail projects in WA had a total budget of $10.2 billion as of 2023.
The Perth City Link project involved 8.5 km of new roads and tunnels, completed in 2022 at $1.2 billion cost.
Onslow Marine Support Base construction valued at $540 million, employing 1,200 peak workers.
The 2023 WA construction fatality rate was 4.2 per 100,000 workers, below national average of 5.1.
Lost time injury frequency rate in WA construction dropped to 12.4 per million hours in 2023.
78% of WA construction sites complied with scaffold regulations in 2023 audits.
Construction output in WA is projected to grow 4.2% annually to 2028.
Residential construction demand in WA expected to add 15,000 homes by 2025.
Prefab modular construction adoption rose to 18% of WA projects in 2023.

Western Australia’s construction sector is growing fast, boosting jobs and wages while improving safety and diversity.

01 · Category

Economic Value19 stats

WA construction contributed $28.4 billion to state GDP in 2021-22, or 8.7% of total GSP.

Total value of construction work done in WA reached $42.7 billion in 2022-23.

Residential building approvals in WA totaled $12.3 billion in value for 2023.

Non-residential construction output in WA was valued at $18.9 billion in 2022.

Engineering construction in WA contributed $15.2 billion to the economy in 2023.

WA construction industry's multiplier effect generated $1.85in additional economic activity per $1 spent in 2022.

Taxes paid by WA construction sector amounted to $3.7 billion in 2022-23.

Export-related construction services from WA reached $2.1 billion in 2023.

WA construction supported 156,000 indirect jobs through supply chains in 2022.

Investment in WA construction was forecasted at $50 billion for 2023-27.

Heavy and civil engineering construction generated 45% of WA's construction value added in 2022.

WA construction firms' average revenue per business was $4.2 million in 2023.

Profit margins in WA construction averaged 6.8% in 2022-23.

Material costs represented 42% of total construction expenses in WA in 2023.

WA construction paid $8.9 billion in wages and salaries in 2022.

There were 12,450 residential dwellings approved in WA in 2023.

WA construction industry's share of business investment was 22% in 2022-23.

Value of public sector construction in WA was $10.4 billion in 2023.

Private sector non-residential construction in WA valued at $9.5 billion in 2022.

Interpretation

Economic Value Interpretation

From an Economic Value perspective, Western Australia’s construction industry is delivering substantial economic scale and spillovers, contributing $28.4 billion to state GDP in 2021–22 and generating an estimated $1.85 in additional activity for every $1 spent in 2022.

02 · Category

Employment20 stats

In 2022, Western Australia's construction industry employed 128,500 full-time equivalent workers, accounting for 9.2% of the state's total employment.

The average weekly wage for construction workers in Western Australia was $2,150in the June 2023 quarter, 25% higher than the national average.

Women represented 12.4% of the construction workforce in Western Australia as of 2023, up from 10.1% in 2019.

There were 4,200 apprentices and trainees in Western Australia's construction sector in 2022, comprising 3.3% of the total workforce.

Labour turnover in WA construction reached 18.7% in 2023, driven by shortages in skilled trades like electricians.

65% of construction businesses in Western Australia reported difficulties recruiting carpenters in 2023.

The construction industry in WA had 15,300 vacancies unfilled as of March 2023.

Indigenous employment in WA construction stood at 4.8% in 2022, with initiatives targeting 7% by 2025.

Over 22,000 workers in WA construction hold White Card certifications as of 2023.

Migrant workers made up 28% of WA's construction workforce in 2022, primarily from the UK and Philippines.

Youth under 25 years comprised 14.2% of WA construction employees in 2023.

7,500 construction workers in WA transitioned to supervisory roles between 2020-2023.

WA construction saw a 12% increase in female site managers from 2021 to 2023.

Average hours worked per week by WA construction workers was 41.8 hours in 2022.

32% of WA construction firms offered mental health support programs to employees in 2023.

WA construction employment grew by 5.4% year-on-year in the 2022-23 financial year.

There were 2,100 engineering professionals employed in WA construction in 2023.

Casual employment accounted for 22.5% of WA construction jobs in 2022.

18,400 WA construction workers participated in upskilling programs in 2023.

The median age of WA construction workers was 42 years in 2023.

Interpretation

Employment Interpretation

In 2023, Western Australia’s construction employment picture showed both growth and strain, with women rising to 12.4% of the workforce and labour turnover climbing to 18.7% amid ongoing recruitment gaps like 65% of businesses struggling to hire carpenters.

03 · Category

Projects17 stats

METRONET rail projects in WA had a total budget of $10.2 billion as of 2023.

The Perth City Link project involved 8.5 km of new roads and tunnels, completed in 2022 at $1.2 billion cost.

Onslow Marine Support Base construction valued at $540 million, employing 1,200 peak workers.

WA's Highway 94 upgrade included 120 km of road widening, budgeted at $450 million in 2023.

The new Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) hosted 45 major events in its first year post-2018 opening.

Rio Tinto's Western Range iron ore project in WA valued at $1.7 billion, starting 2023.

Elizabeth Quay development in Perth featured 2 km waterfront precinct, completed 2016 at $440 million.

WA's Common User Facility at Port Hedland handles 50 million tonnes of iron ore annually post-2023 upgrade.

The $1.6 billion Muchea Rail Deviation project broke ground in 2023 for lithium rail access.

Forrestfield-Airport Link tunnel project spanned 8.5 km with 3 new stations, opened 2024.

WA's Wheatstone LNG project Phase 2 added 300 jobs and $800 million in construction value.

The $2.3 billion Koodaideri iron ore mine ramp-up included 200 km of rail in 2022.

Perth's Crown Towers hotel expansion added 500 rooms at $600 million cost in 2023.

WA's Road Ranger network expanded to 45 sites by 2023 for heavy vehicle safety.

The $900 million Woodside Pluto LNG Train 2 commenced construction in 2023.

Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct Phase 2 included 50,000 sqm new facilities.

WA's Pilbara hydrogen hub project allocated $150 million for initial infrastructure in 2023.

Interpretation

Projects Interpretation

For the Projects angle in Western Australia, investment in major infrastructure and development is scaling up rapidly, with budgets ranging from $540 million for the Onslow Marine Support Base to $10.2 billion for METRONET rail by 2023, alongside large road and rail works such as the Perth City Link’s 8.5 km of tunnels and roads completed in 2022 at $1.2 billion.

Construction InfrastructureNz Construction Industry Statistics

04 · Category

Safety18 stats

The 2023 WA construction fatality rate was 4.2 per 100,000 workers, below national average of 5.1.

Lost time injury frequency rate in WA construction dropped to 12.4 per million hours in 2023.

78% of WA construction sites complied with scaffold regulations in 2023 audits.

Falls from height caused 35% of serious injuries in WA construction in 2022.

WA construction recorded 2.1 million hours trained in safety programs in 2023.

Heat-related incidents in WA construction rose 15% during 2023 summer months.

92% of WA construction workers used PPE correctly as per 2023 surveys.

Machinery-related incidents accounted for 22% of WA construction claims in 2022.

WA introduced mandatory high-risk work licenses for 18 crane types in 2023.

Mental health claims in WA construction increased 28% from 2020 to 2023.

65% reduction in silica dust exposure violations on WA sites since 2020 regulations.

WA construction safety investment totaled $450 million in 2023.

Traffic management incidents dropped 40% after 2023 WA guidelines update.

1,200 WA construction firms certified under ISO 45001 safety standard by 2023.

Musculoskeletal disorders represented 48% of WA construction workers' comp claims in 2022.

Drone usage for site inspections reduced access-related risks by 55% in 2023 pilots.

WA's BlueFit program trained 8,500 workers in fatigue management by 2023.

Asbestos removal incidents fell 22% in WA construction post-2022 audits.

Interpretation

Safety Interpretation

Safety performance in Western Australia construction improved in 2023, with the fatality rate down to 4.2 per 100,000 workers and the lost time injury frequency falling to 12.4 per million hours, even as heat related incidents increased 15% during the summer.

05 · Category

Trends15 stats

Construction output in WA is projected to grow 4.2% annually to 2028.

Residential construction demand in WA expected to add 15,000 homes by 2025.

Prefab modular construction adoption rose to 18% of WA projects in 2023.

Digital twin technology implemented in 25% of major WA projects by 2024.

Sustainable materials usage in WA construction increased 32% since 2020.

BIM (Building Information Modelling) mandatory for all WA public projects over $10m from 2024.

WA construction carbon emissions targeted for 40% reduction by 2030.

Labour costs projected to rise 5.8% annually in WA construction to 2027.

Off-site manufacturing expected to capture 30% of WA residential market by 2028.

AI-driven project management tools adopted by 40% of WA firms in 2023.

Green building certifications (Green Star) reached 150 projects in WA by 2023.

WA construction inflation peaked at 7.2% in 2023, expected to ease to 3.5% by 2025.

Hydrogen infrastructure projects to drive 20% of new WA construction value by 2030.

Remote monitoring tech reduced site visits by 35% in WA Pilbara projects 2023.

WA apartment vacancy rates influenced 12% drop in high-rise approvals in 2023.

Interpretation

Trends Interpretation

WA’s construction sector is rapidly modernising under the Trends lens, with BIM required on all public projects over $10m from 2024 and digital twin adoption reaching 25% of major projects by 2024 alongside strong growth projected at 4.2% annually to 2028.

report visual · Breakdown

Western Australia construction: value and pipeline

Construction value is expanding alongside a strong multi-year investment forecast.

45%

Heavy and civil engineering construction generated 45% of WA's construction value added in 2022.

55%

Drone usage for site inspections reduced access-related risks by 55% in 2023 pilots.

Reference

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APA

Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Western Australia Construction Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/western-australia-construction-industry-statistics

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Helena Kowalczyk. "Western Australia Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/western-australia-construction-industry-statistics.

Chicago

Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Western Australia Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/western-australia-construction-industry-statistics.