Construction industry productivity is of concern because lower productivity means higher taxes are needed to fund the construction of government roads, schools and hospitals. In addition, higher costs to business to fund the construction of retail, office and commercial space are likely to be ultimately passed on to households in the form of higher prices.
Since 2007, Econtech Pty Ltd (now trading as Independent Economics) analysed trends in construction industry productivity. It modelled the flow on effects to the wider economy of productivity improvements resulting from improved work practices in the industry brought about by the establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).
Between 2008 and 2013, Master Builders Australia commissioned updates of this research. The data analysed for each update has consistently confirmed the original findings.
The Reports:
2013 Update
2010 Update
2009 Update