Once a year, we pause to take the industry’s pulse. The Consult Australia 2025 Member Survey is now open – and we want to hear from you.

Consult Australia’s annual survey provides a vital snapshot of market conditions, capturing insights into business confidence, pipeline volatility and the road ahead.

 

“We have conversations with our members all year long,” says Kristine Banks, Consult Australia’s National Policy Manager. “But this survey helps us zoom out – to take a broader look at the industry’s confidence, challenges and what’s coming next.”

 

The survey captures data across six key areas: business capacity, cost pressures, professional indemnity insurance, skills challenges, business environment and future outlook.

 

The results – drawn from business leaders representing tens of thousands of employees – inform Consult Australia’s member-led advocacy agenda.

 

“The insights from our members shape our advocacy to government clients and industry,” Kristine says. “They serve as both a confidence measure and a clarification of what’s happening in the market.”

 

Two years ago, the survey informed Consult Australia’s Capacity Crunch report, which flagged risks in workforce availability. Last year’s Confidence & Continuity report reflected a reversal of fortunes: after years of capacity constraints, many firms were reporting surplus capacity and a slowdown in the project pipeline.

 

This year, the signs are more sobering. “Our members were signalling resource cuts last year. Since then, the pipeline of work has not improved,” Kristine says. “While construction firms report skills shortages on site, design and advisory businesses are ready to go but waiting.”

Consult Australia’s message to governments? Pipeline continuity matters.

 

“Design and engineering firms can’t build capability or invest in long-term skills development without certainty. It takes nine years from university to Chartered Engineer status. These aren’t problems we can fix overnight.”

 

Infrastructure Australia’s 2024 Infrastructure Market Capacity Report revealed an 8% decline in previously committed project value, Kristine notes.

 

“Many of our firms have already ramped down. To ramp up again, they need certainty that the work will be there – and that starts with clear visibility into the project pipeline.”

 

Help shape your industry’s advocacy agenda. Complete Consult Australia’s 2025 Member Survey.