Australia’s construction employment sees record highs

Employment in Australia’s construction industry is reported to have hit its highest level on record, says data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

The data shows that the seasonally adjusted number of workers employed throughout Australia’s building and construction sector rose by 15,600 from a previous high of 1.27 million in August to a new record of 1.28 million in November.

At this level, construction employment was estimated to be 12% higher compared with levels seen twelve months earlier in November 2021.

According to the report, in professional occupations, roles across construction management, engineering management, urban and regional planning, civil engineering, industrial/mechanical/production engineering, mining engineering and other engineering are said to have recorded their highest November readings.

The report also highlighted that vacancies for plumbers, electricians and electronic trade workers registered their highest November reading since detailed records began in 2006. 

Finally, in terms of labouring roles, vacancies for crane/hoist/lift operators, earthmoving plant operators, forklift drivers and other mobile plant operators registered their highest November reading on record.