Australia Faces Major Workforce Shortages Jeopardizing Infrastructure Projects

Canberra

A new report from Infrastructure Australia warns that major infrastructure projects in the country are at risk due to massive workforce shortages. The annual market capacity report reveals a staggering shortfall of 229,000 public infrastructure workers, posing a threat to projects totaling A$230 billion over the next five years. This shortage, coupled with a lack of construction materials, not only jeopardizes infrastructure projects but also impacts Australia's green energy transition and the government's plan to construct 1.2 million new homes. Adam Copp, Chief Executive of Infrastructure Australia, emphasized the challenges faced by the industry in sourcing key building materials and workers. He stated, With so much construction activity underway, the industry is finding it increasingly difficult to source key building materials and workers—particularly engineers, skilled trades, and laborers. The report points out that limited access to local steel and cement, along with localized shortages of quarry products, contributes to price uncertainty in the supply chain, leading to delays and cost overruns. This marks the third consecutive year that Infrastructure Australia has highlighted significant workforce shortages in the industry.