Forecast: Construction Employment in Australia

Between 2013 and 2023, construction employment in Australia showed fluctuating yet generally positive trends, beginning at 1.01 million persons and peaking at 1.18 million persons in 2023. The most significant growth was observed between 2016 to 2017 with a 7.28% increase. Recent years, however, have shown a more subdued growth, with a year-on-year increase of 1.42% between 2022 and 2023. The past five-year CAGR was negative, signaling a slight overall decline in the latter period.

Looking ahead to the forecast period up to 2028, construction employment is expected to see a steady rise, reaching 1.26 million persons, with a forecasted CAGR of 1.06% over the next five years, reflecting moderate but stable growth.

Future trends to watch for include:

• Infrastructure investments by the government which may boost employment
• A shift towards sustainable construction practices requiring new skills
• Adoption of digital technologies in construction impacting labor demand