Australia’s productivity crisis deepens as construction costs defy global trends
Housing productivity has fallen by more than 53 per cent over the past three decades – it now takes twice the effort, resources and cost to deliver the same level of housing output as 30 years ago.
Compounding the housing crisis are persistent skills shortages and a rise in construction insolvencies. (Image source: Harley Kingston/Shutterstock.com)
Material prices across Australia continue to climb, even as global material markets soften under weaker demand.
Is this an anomaly – or a symptom of something deeper? For long-time observers of Australia’s construction sector, the answer is clear: it’s the latter.
The Productivity Commission’s 2025 report
shows housing productivity has fallen by more than 53 per cent over the past three decades – it now takes twice the effort, resources and co…
