state and territory associations,” says Denita Wawn, Chief Executive Officer.“It was established in 1890 by three state organizations—New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland—alongside Newcastle.They met in Sydney to form a national body that could advocate for the industry, anticipating Australia’s federation in 1901.” With over 33,000 members across Australia, Master Builders Australia represents the entire building and construction industry spectrum, from residential, commercial, and civil businesses to specialist subcontractors. The federation remains one of the longest-serving industry associations in the country, advocating for the interests of builders, contractors, and suppliers in an increasingly complex landscape. CONSTRUCTION UNDER PRESSURE The construction industry is at a crossroads, facing complex challenges threatening Australia’s ability to meet its ambitious housing and infrastructure targets. Workforce shortages, rising costs, and declining productivity put immense pressure on the sector, making it increasingly difficult to deliver projects on time and within budget. According to Wawn, addressing these challenges is critical for ensuring the industry’s long-term sustainability. “We know we need a larger and more efficient built environment,” she explains. “The government has set a target of 1.2 million new homes over the next five years—but building homes isn’t just about the houses themselves. It’s about roads, schools, hospitals, playgrounds, and utilities like water and electricity. Every aspect of our built environment touches the work of our members.” However, Australia is struggling to keep up with demand. Even before the pandemic, construction productivity was on a downward trajectory, with a nearly 20% drop over the past decade. Building costs have surged by 30-50% over the last five years, driven by global supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and increasingly complex regulatory requirements. These rising costs have strained developers and builders and made it more difficult for Australians to access affordable housing and essential infrastructure. 15 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 03 MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA
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