With timber and steel prices skyrocketing, construction costs are surging out of control
There is no indication timber prices will go down again, as they did in 2020. As for steel, 2013 was the last time there was a significant price reduction.
“It will change lives”: Seven major reforms announced at the Jobs and Skills Summit (so far)
The Albanese government's historic Jobs and Skills Summit is into its second and final day, and already big changes are afoot for the future of work in Australia.
Contracts, cashflow and equity: Five signs a building company might collapse
The last year has been tough on the building industry with around eight in 10 construction companies forced to use their own funds in order to complete a client's home.
Metricon to cut workforce by 9% as inflationary pressures and a building backlog weigh on the sector
Hardship continues for Australia's largest home-builder Metricon, which is set to reduce its 2500-strong headcount as the sector is buffeted by economic headwinds.
Builders call for support as housing costs rise 9%, while Jim Chalmers prepares to dampen economic expectations
The federal government should keep the Australian Building and Construction Commission in place and compensate building contractors for projects which skyrocket in price, construction industry organisations say.
The ABCC has been a failure, with productivity in construction in decline under its regulation
The whole purpose of the Australian Building and Construction Commission was to lift productivity in the construction sector. So did it?
ABCC has powers wound back as federal government prepares its abolition
The government this week will take the first step in killing off the controversial Australian Building and Construction Commission by stripping back its powers “to the bare legal minimum”.
Tradies in Paradise: Qld scheme offering $1750 to relocate workers reportedly draws 12 applicants
The scheme was designed to bolster the state's tradie workforce after the devastating floods which impacted southeast Queensland in March and early April.
Metricon lists $65 million worth of property amid tumultuous time for construction
At least 56 display homes were listed by Metricon in the last two weeks, from a $650,000 home in regional Victoria to a $3.2 million property in Melbourne.
“Hard economic landing”: Builders urge RBA to take its time on another interest rate hike as construction faces the brink
The construction industry is weighing the need to combat inflation against the likelihood rising interest rates will deter new home buyers.
Victorian homebuilder Waterford Homes the latest constructor to call in the liquidators
The Geelong-based company is the latest construction firm to struggle as material costs and fixed-price contacts dig into the sector.
Australia’s low female representation in STEM is hurting innovation. Let’s encourage women to be engineers
In today’s modern climate, an engineering workplace that does not benefit from the mindsets and skill sets of both genders is at a loss.
