A Review of the Top 10 Construction Companies in Australia

Like many other countries, the Australian construction industry is a vital part of the economy, accounting for around 9% of the country’s GDP. This massive industry, which has been hit by the pandemic and the current global economic uncertainty, is composed of thousands of companies that bring to life the residential buildings, bridges, hospitals, schools, and airports Australians populate daily. Knowing how the leading players are developing and the innovations they are implementing to fight these challenging times is fundamental to understanding the industry’s future.

To help you with that task, we’ve put together this insightful blog post that outlines the top 10 construction companies in Australia and provides a short overview of the industry’s current state.

Let’s dive in!

The Current State of the Construction Industry in Australia

The construction industry continues to be a key contributor to the Australian economy, with a market size of USD 172 billion (AUD 264 billion) in 2024. Over one million people in Australia are employed across various construction sectors, as the rising national population creates more demand for housing and infrastructure.

After experiencing a 2.6 percent decline in output in the first quarter of 2024, the Australian construction industry is expected to rebound sharply, with a USD 58 billion (AUD 90 billion) infrastructure pipeline backed by the federal government and surging residential and commercial property markets. Headwinds brought on by ongoing skills gaps and a deficit of 131,000 laborers in 2024 must be addressed before this potential can be fully realized.

Much like the US, UK, and other parts of the developed world, emerging technologies are significantly impacting Australia. Continued adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and sustainable construction practices will improve project quality and efficiency as the activity ramps up.

Top Construction Companies in Australia

Despite the recent decline in growth, the total number of construction companies in Australia in 2024 is approaching 400,000, according to independent IBISWorld research. Choosing the top construction companies in Australia was not easy, with so many successful, growth-oriented businesses emerging. Each year, Mordor Intelligence reviews the companies ranked highest in market share and examines their strengths, strategies, and outlooks. Since many of the largest construction businesses in the country are also rated highly by their employees, this top 10 list served as a road map pointing us to the leading construction players in Australia today.

Please note that the information provided is based on the latest available data (end of 2024) and may have changed since publication.

Downer Group

Our list of construction companies in Australia starts with a major player: the Downer Group. With a reported revenue of 12 billion AUD (7.8 billion USD) and over 30,000 employees, Downer designs, builds, and maintains infrastructure and facilities across Australia and New Zealand, putting safety and sustainability first.

The company offers solutions for several sectors: transport and infrastructure, rail and transit, power and gas, energy, telecommunications, defense, and marine. Among the group’s most successful projects are the voltage transmission line connecting the South Australian and New South Wales power grids, the infrastructure upgrades to the Air Force’s RAAF Base Williamtown, and the Murra Warra Wind Farm in Victoria, among various others that have earned this company decades of success.

Lendlease Corporation

Over its decades of experience, Lendlease Corporation has made it their goal to reshape cities, create connected communities, and deliver the workspaces of the future. A three-tiered business model including investment, development, and construction has made award-winning projects like Singapore’s Paya Lebar Quarter, New York’s Claremont Hall, and the Barangaroo Precinct in Sydney possible.

Lendlease was founded in Australia in 1958 and eventually expanded operations to the US, Asia, and the UK. The company is known throughout the construction industry as a top developer of urban infrastructure. Sustainability is also a key priority for Lendlease, including the establishment of sustainable economic growth imperatives. The company is targeting Net Zero Carbon by 2025 and Absolute Zero Carbon by 2040.

CIMIC Group Limited

Founded in 1899, CIMIC Group is one of Australia’s largest and most diversified construction companies, with subsidiaries operating in the mining, infrastructure, and renewable energy spaces, among others. CIMIC has built a solid reputation by delivering large-scale projects with exceptional quality and reliability.

All 30,000+ CIMIC employees abide by the guiding principles of integrity, accountability, innovation, and delivery. Dedication to these core values is witnessed through the success of recent projects, including the Western Sydney Airport Cargo Works, the Burnett River Replacement Dam, and the Dugald River Solar Farm. CIMIC also maintains a strong global presence with ongoing projects in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Subsidiaries under the CIMIC umbrella of companies, including CPB Contractors, Theiss, and UGL, have become industry leaders in their respective fields, owed in part to the strong overall company mission.

Fulton Hogan

Another business consistently ranked among the top construction companies in Australia is Fulton Hogan. A prominent infrastructure, civil engineering, and road construction company with operations in Australia and New Zealand, Fulton Hogan specializes in enhanced connectivity between geographic locations.

90 years after Jules Fulton and Bob Hogan teamed up to form their contracting business, the company they founded employs over 7,800 people across New Zealand and Australia, with annual revenue exceeding USD 3.4 billion (AUD 5.2 billion). Key projects in recent years have included the Mount Ousley Interchange in Wollongong, Australia, the Hallam Bypass in Victoria, and the 56-turbine Bulgana Wind Farm.

Along with an ownership stake in the business, commitment to sustainability is another commodity shared by many dedicated Fulton Hogan employees. The company promotes sustainable practices throughout its supply chain while developing innovative construction techniques to reduce its carbon footprint.

John Holland Group

Notable projects led by the John Holland Group dot the Australian landscape, including the Parliament House in Canberra, the Sydney Football Stadium, and the Melbourne Metro Tunnel, scheduled to be completed in 2025. Since its founding in 1949, the company has built a portfolio of successful transportation, energy, and social infrastructure achievements.

John Holland Group has over 5,700 employees worldwide, with annual revenue exceeding USD 4.2 billion (AUD 6.4 billion). The company has been the recipient of numerous industry awards for excellence in urban development, water conservation, and railway construction, as well as being recognized by the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) for their progressive social values.

John Holland Group was acquired by China Communications Construction (CCC) in 2015, making it part of one of the largest construction conglomerates in the world, while providing greater access to global resources and expertise.

CPB Contractors

As a key component of CIMIC Group, CPB Contractors specializes in major infrastructure and building projects, specifically those involving complex transportation, tunneling, water management, or renewable energy. CPB traces its origins back to 1927, with large-scale railway and tunneling projects in the 1940s and 1950s helping to solidify the company’s reputation for technical expertise and project management.

Recent projects completed by CPB include the 420-Megawatt Macarthur Wind Farm in Victoria, and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Redevelopment in New South Wales. Ongoing projects include a massive Wind Fences project in western Australia that mitigates the impact of excavation on the environment. New projects emphasize sustainability principles that extend to clients and local ecosystems, and community-based initiatives that add long-term economic and social value.

Multiplex

As one of the largest construction companies in Australia, Multiplex has delivered over 1,100 iconic projects around the world, with a combined value exceeding USD 100 billion (AUD 153 billion). Founded in Australia in 1962, Multiplex also maintains offices in the Middle East, UK, and Canada.

Past projects span the commercial, residential, health, and education sectors, with a focus on sustainability and high quality. Recent accomplishments include the 26,000m² NEXTDC hyperscale data center in Sydney, and the OmnioBio Research and Innovation Park in southwestern Ontario. Both projects showcase an ability to complete large and complex industrial facilities while adhering to strict budgets and timelines.

Multiplex currently employs over 2,600 people around the world who help them develop the innovative construction techniques the company is known for. Multiplex is also dedicated to maintaining a culture of collaboration and trust with their industry partners.

Hutchinson Builders

Established in 1912, Hutchinson Builders is Australia’s largest privately owned construction company. Also known as “Hutchies,” the company was founded in Sydney by John “Jack” Hutchinson, a native of England with a passion for hard work, family, and challenging construction projects. In 2024, the company boasts over USD 2 billion (AUD 3 billion) in annual revenue, with more than 1,700 dedicated employees.

Hutchinson Builders established their reputation through commercial building and healthcare facility contracts spanning over a century. This trend has continued into the present day, with projects such as the Star Gold Coast Tower on Broadbeach Island and Cobar Health Service in New South Wales providing evidence of unmatched building expertise in the medical arena.

Like many other public and private construction businesses in Australia, Hutchies has adopted a set of sustainable values that benefit both the environment and the community. This included the formation of Hutchinson Honey Bees, a unique initiative dedicated to promoting the establishment of urban bee hives on a national scale.

Mirvac Construction

The next entry in our list of the top construction companies in Australia is Mirvac Construction, a unique property development, leasing, and management company with a reputation for combining sustainable design and architecture with smart business and investment. Mirvac has been the recipient of over 800 industry awards since their founding in 1972.

The company has made their mark primarily through the development of master-planned communities, including the Cobbitty development in Southwest Sydney and the stunning Albertine complex in Victoria. Mirvac has also overseen the development of renowned retail developments throughout Australia, including Broadway Sydney and Birkenhead Brand Outlet. 

The team of over 450 highly skilled workers at Mirvac Construction enjoy a culture that emphasizes environmental health and safety, social equality, and environmental sustainability, with multi-faceted goals and targets aimed at reducing carbon emissions and waste.

UGL Limited

Last (but not least) on our list of construction companies in Australia, is also the second subsidiary of CIMIC to catch our attention. UGL Limited has established a unique specialty within the larger company by focusing on end-to-end engineering services. The broad scope of expertise also includes infrastructure commissioning, asset management, and facility upgrades.

The company was founded by Alfred Goninan in 1899 to support the local coal wagon industry. After playing a key role in Australia’s public transport industry for over a century, the current company name, United Group Limited (UGL) was adopted in 2012. Under this banner, noteworthy projects have included Auckland One Rail in New Zealand and the design and construction of the Dugald River Solar Farm in Queensland.

A healthy pipeline of new and challenging engineering projects keeps over 9,000 UGL employees, in six locations (five in Australia and one in New Zealand), occupied and engaged.

Final Thoughts

As you learned throughout this post, the construction industry in Australia is led by some major companies with decades and, in some cases, centuries of experience developing infrastructure for Australian communities. Technology is the fuel that powers that success, offering these organizations the necessary tools to streamline their operations and go the extra mile.

At RIB Software, we have designed a specialized toolkit of solutions tailored to the needs of construction businesses. These platforms include 3D takeoff, project management, financial management, procurement, project handover, and much more. They are all powered by professional digital construction technologies that have positioned us as leading providers of software solutions for the building industry worldwide.

RIB CostX, our professional takeoff and estimating software offers unmatched levels of precision and speed, eliminating errors from estimating and ensuring construction projects are priced accurately for increased profitability and success.  If you want to stand out from the competition with quality and efficiency, get your free demo for RIB CostX today!