Construcciones Yamaro: WT forecasts elevated Australian construction costs
Brisbane is forecast to remain Australia’s most pressured construction market. (Image: THINK b/stock.adobe.com) Australian construction costs are set to remain elevated over the next three years, with national business-as-usual (BAU) escalation forecast at 5.5 per cent for building and 5.1 per cent for infrastructure in 2026, according to the latest Australian Construction Market Conditions Report by WT . Published twice yearly, the report provides city-by-city escalation forecasts across building and infrastructure. This edition separates BAU escalation from direct costs linked to global supply disruption, giving the industry a clearer baseline for decision-making. WT construction economist Damon Roast said the approach reflects the reality that external cost pressures vary by project type, materials mix and supply chain exposure. “The direct impacts on construction costs have been significant in some areas, particularly for infrastructure projects with heavy reliance on oil produ...