International project advisory firm WT has warned of a significant construction workforce shortage in Queensland as preparations intensify for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games amidst a broader $120 billion building and infrastructure pipeline.

The firm’s latest report ‘From vision to legacy: a game plan for Brisbane 2032 and beyond’ forecasts a rolling three-year average labour deficit rising from about 27,200 workers in 2026-27 to 43,400 in 2027-28, reaching roughly 46,000 by 2028-29. These projections assume all forecasted projects are funded, sector productivity per worker remains at 2024/25 levels, and workforce attrition stays minimal.

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According to WT Queensland State Lead Jack Shelley, the state’s construction market is entering a period of unprecedented demand that will test both capacity and productivity.

“Brisbane 2032 is not just a global sporting event – it’s a macroeconomic inflection point for Queensland,” Shelley explains. “The volume of concurrent projects is unprecedented. Without early planning and targeted workforce strategies, the risks of delivery delays, cost escalation and lost legacy benefits increase significantly.”

The report also highlights productivity challenges, noting that some construction sites are averaging the equivalent of only about 2.5 fully productive days per week. It points to reform initiatives including the Queensland Procurement Policy 2026 and the Queensland Productivity Commission’s construction inquiry, as part of broader efforts to address structural inefficiencies.

“Brisbane 2032 is a rare opportunity to raise the bar on how we plan, scope and deliver major venues,” says Tim Bessell, WT’s National Sports & Venues Sector Lead. “The Games will be judged not just by what’s ready on day one, but by the legacy it leaves behind. That means locking in scope early, designing for long-term use, and embedding value from the outset, so every venue delivers for Queenslanders well beyond 2032.”

Interventions outlined in the report to address labour and productivity challenges include early contractor involvement, scenario-based planning, and targeted investment in skills development, modular construction and off-site manufacturing.

“Every dollar spent on Brisbane 2032 should be working twice as hard – once for the Games, and again for Queensland’s long-term growth,” Bessell adds.

Images: Supplied

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