News

  • WHS ministers finalise engineered stone prohibition implementation

    NEWS

    WHS ministers finalise engineered stone prohibition

    On 22 March 2024, WHS ministers from Commonwealth, state, and territory governments reached several key decisions regarding the upcoming prohibition on the use of engineered stone, which is set to be implemente... more

  • UDIA 2024 Awards: celebrating urban development excellence

    NEWS

    UDIA 2024 Awards: celebrating urban development excellence

    The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) recently held its annual National Awards for Excellence, honouring outstanding achievements in urban development across the country. The 2024 awards pro... more

  • Queensland govt approves venue changes for Brisbane 2032 Olympics

    NEWS

    QLD government approves changes for Brisbane 2032 Olympics

    The Queensland government has approved the majority of recommendations from the independent Sport Venue Review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Premier Steven Miles expressed gratitude to ... more

  • Building industry faces labor shortage amid housing crisis

    NEWS

    Building industry faces labour shortage and drop in apprentices

    The building and construction industry is experiencing a critical labour shortage, according to Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn. Wawn highlighted the urgent need for more apprentices to start and c... more

  • WHS ministers finalise engineered stone prohibition
  • UDIA 2024 Awards: celebrating urban development excellence
  • QLD government approves changes for Brisbane 2032 Olympics
  • Building industry faces labour shortage and drop in apprentices
rail

Next generation of rail workers on track for successful future

Queensland Rail has welcomed 86 fresh faces with new apprentices and graduates embarking on their careers with one of the largest employers in the state. With unprecedented growth on the horizon, electricians, mechanics, engineers, and more are needed to bolster the forces behind Queensland’s booming rail industry. The successful recruits were selected from the more than 3000 people who applied for in-demand roles located in South East Queensland, Toowoomba, Maryborough, Emerald, Cairns, Townsville and Cloncurry. For those considering a career in rail, applications for the 2025 intake of graduates and... more
infrastructure

Victoria’s big opportunity to cut emissions in infrastructure

With $201 billion committed for current and new projects, Victoria has an ambitious infrastructure program. Our state also has the most progressive emissions reduction targets in Australia, designed to drive down emissions across all sectors on the path to net zero by 2045. New infrastructure projects are responsible for emissions when they consume large amounts of energy and construction materials. So, how can the Victorian Government deliver the infrastructure we need while also reducing emissions? Infrastructure Victoria’s latest advice to the Victorian Government shows coordinated action to reduce... more
New psychological health report on Australian workplaces

New report identifies psychological health in Australian workplaces

Safe Work Australia has published new information identifying trends in psychological health in workplaces. The Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace report highlights the changing impact of work-related psychological injuries in Australia. During 2021 - 2022: Mental health conditions accounted for 9 per cent of all serious workers’ compensation claims, a 36.9 per cent increase from 2017 to 2018. The median time lost was more than 4 times greater than that of all physical injuries and illnesses (2020 to 2021). The median compensation paid for mental health conditions was more than t... more
Demand growth in India expected to exceed China and Australia

Building material demand in India to exceed China and Australia

According to a recent analysis by financial services provider Moody's Corporation, India's demand for building materials is expected to rise in the years to come as the country experiences rapid economic expansion. On the other hand, despite strong demand for infrastructure improvements, Australia's project execution is projected to be limited by capacity restrictions, while China's building property sector is expected to slow down. India's increasing demand is a result of the country's growing population, housing needs, urbanisation, and significant infrastructure expenditures. Specifically, the demand... more
Solution to Australia’s skills shortage officially launched

New entity to address Australia’s construction skills shortage

A new entity established by the Australian government to tackle the national skills shortage in the built environment sector was formally launched this week by Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor. BuildSkills Australia is preparing the country’s first workforce plan for the sector and will become a strong and strategic voice of the construction, property and water industries. The newly established Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) was established by the federal government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to address Australia’s skills and training needs. BuildSkills Au... more
Employer gender pay gaps officially revealed for the first time

Unprecedented employer gender pay gap data released

The Australian government is taking action to improve workplace gender equality, with the gender pay gaps for nearly 5,000 Australian private sector employers being published for the first time. It comes after reforms were passed in Parliament last year — which served as a key driver for employer action to speed up progress to close the gender pay gap in the workplace. The Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said the publication of employer gender pay gaps is a pivotal moment for gender equality in Australia. “The release of employer gender pay gaps marks a historic step towards transparency and accou... more
RMIT’s new 3D printed titanium structure displays supernatural strength

RMIT’s new 3D-printed titanium structure displays supernatural strength

Using regular titanium alloy, RMIT University researchers have produced a novel metamaterial—a word used to characterise an artificial material with special qualities not found in nature. The strength-to-weight ratio of this 3D-printed "metamaterial" is unparalleled in nature and manufacturing, and it has the potential to transform the production of anything from aircraft parts to medical implants. The material features a unique lattice structure design, and tests have revealed that its shape makes it 50 per cent stronger than the next strongest allow of similar density used in aerospace applications. Th... more