NSW government procurement practices ‘killing’ small businesses
A $367 billion infrastructure pipeline is at risk due to government practices that are "killing" small to medium businesses, civil contractors representing 40,000 workers say.
Where are the women tradies? Boosting representation can help fill the industry’s 90,000 shortfall
The representation of women in skilled trades stands at a mere 3%, meaning there is a vast reservoir of talent and capability that remains untapped.
Industry fears tradies will face higher ute prices under government emission reduction plan
Commercial vehicles should be excluded from the federal government's emission reduction plans, the HIA says, claiming tradespeople could face significant premiums when upgrading their vehicles under the reforms.
Construction industry’s 31.8% gender pay gap highlights “urgent need to change”
The gender imbalance in Australia's construction sector shows an "urgent need to change" as new WGEA data shows a median total remuneration gap of 31.8% between men and women.
Construction businesses seeking bigger margins to guard against uncertainty
The rate of inflation may be slowing but price increases across hard-to-avoid expenses, such as insurance and housing, are keeping pressure on hip pockets.
Construction businesses a grim standout in insolvency data, as experts seek silver linings
The number of business insolvencies boomed in late 2023 and is poised to accelerate in 2024, official data shows, but industry leaders professionals say the growing use of the small business restructuring scheme is a silver lining.
ACTU says workers will ban engineered stone themselves if regulators don’t act
Australia's union movement says its members will forbid the use and transportation of engineered stone unless governments formally ban it outright, escalating pressure on businesses which process and use the popular material in home construction.
“Who, unless it’s robots, is going to build this?”: Builders question goal of 1.2 million new homes
Australia's construction sector will have the capacity to build one million new homes over five years, Housing Minister Julie Collins says, as builders question whether the industry has enough workers to carry out the ambitious plan.
A convoluted bidding process continues to undermine the construction tender process
Tendering processes have become so onerous and convoluted that the costs of tendering in relation to the potential gains may now be reducing rather than enhancing competition.
Construction collapses now a “super-spreader event”, says Swinburne governance expert
The insolvency crisis ripping through the Australian construction industry is comparable to a "super-spreader event", a corporate governance expert says, with financial hardships spreading from one business to another reminiscent of recent public health crises.
New builders, $15 million bailout: Porter Davis collapse fallout continues
About 1700 homes across Victoria and Queensland were left in limbo when Porter Davis suddenly shut in late March owing creditors $147 million.
Building a business on barriers: How AH Fencing’s work-life split spurred $6.2m in revenue
Queensland commercial fencing company AH Fencing has expanded to Victoria, with two major projects already in the pipeline, including a development at Bunnings in Coburg that will see the company construct the precinct’s chain wire fencing and gates.
