What is the outlook on the construction industry in Oz post pandemic?

[Jamo1989]

Hi, i am new to the forums here and I am looking for information in relation to what the job market and demand for workers looks like in the coming years in the construction industry. 

I am a uk/Irish citizen and I'm currently making a career change, I'm studying a Foundation Degree in Architectural Technology but have the option of completing a Bachelor Degree with a further 2 years study in Architectural Technology or alternatively Building Surveying and then my aim is to complete masters study in BIM with Management or Construction Project Management. Then I would be looking at gaining a few years experience in my chosen role. 

I'm lucky in that I'm still early enough on in my studies that I have various options open to me and so can tailor my skills in a way which would help me be more employable in Australia. 

My main reason for posting is to get an idea of where the industry is heading and what skills and experience may be in demand. 

I have previously completed a working holiday in Australia and my long term goal is to emigrate, hopefully within the next 10 years. I know in 10 years a lot will change and no one can predict the future but I think having a direction to steer in will help. 

Thanks in advance for any help and comments.

[Cerberus1]

This is from the latest 'Construction in Australia - Key Trends and Opportunities by State and Territory to 2025' report

Quote

The Australian construction industry is expected to register an annual growth of 2.3% in real terms in 2021 - up from a contraction of 2.3% in 2020. The sector's output this year will be supported by residential construction activity, while non-residential construction, which supported growth last year, is likely to lag.

In the short term, a downside risk to the industry's output arises from the temporary halt on construction activities in Greater Sydney, from the 19th to the 30th July 2021, owing to the rising cases of the delta variant of the coronavirus, and the subsequent lockdown measures to contain the spread.

On a positive note, however, the government is focusing on its infrastructure-led economic recovery plan, and as part of its fiscal year (FY) 2021/2022 (July 2021-June 2022) Budget released in May 2021, announced an additional investment of AUD15.2 billion (US$11.8 billion) for infrastructure works over the next 10 years. In its latest budget, the government also extended the First Home Loan Deposit and the New Home Guarantee schemes and introduced the Family Home Guarantee scheme. The three schemes are expected to support the construction industry over the short and medium terms, highlighted by the strong growth in dwelling permits this year. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the total value of residential buildings approved in the country rose by 40.7% year -on year (YoY) in the first five months of 2021.

Over the remainder of the forecast period, the publisher expects the industry to gain further momentum and register a real annual average growth of 3.4% between 2022-2025, supported by the investments on transport, housing, mining, energy, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects. In April 2021, the government announced that it had received 121,000 HomeBuilder applications, which are expected to have generated residential construction works worth AUD30 billion (US$18.4 billion). The residential sector's output over the forecast period will also be supported by the RBA's likely commitment to maintain a low official cash rate, coupled with improving economic activity and falling unemployment. In another positive development, most state governments have released their budgets for FY2021/2022, with significant funding allocated towards transport, residential, health and educational infrastructure projects. Over the long term, the industry's growth will be supported by an investment of AUD110 billion (US$74.7 billion) on transport infrastructure over the next 10 years under the rolling infrastructure plan.

Source: https://www.researchandmarkets.com

Also worth keeping an eye on CommSec's 'State of the States' quarterly report which covers construction & 'dwelling starts' https://www.commsec.com.au/stateofstates

You can view the Federal Govt's 10 year infrastructure plan at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/

While each State will also have their own, eg. QLD - https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/industry/infrastructure/infrastructure-planning-and-policy/state-infrastructure-strategy

Other big ticket projects, the Olympics coming to Brisbane in 2032