Top 10 Construction Projects in Australia: Reviewing the Country’s Most Innovative and Unique Achievements

There is no shortage of innovative construction projects in Australia today, with many of the largest and most complex endeavors in history now in progress, or recently completed. In this blog post, we take a closer look at 10 of these ambitious projects to uncover some common threads and trends. The facts we discovered provide a glimpse into the future of the Australian construction industry, and the continent itself.          

Top 10 Construction Projects in Australia

With over one million people employed across various construction sectors and demand for housing and infrastructure increasing each year, construction is a booming business. Many significant construction projects in Australia were launched to bolster the country’s transportation and energy infrastructure, with federal and local governments generously supporting this transformation. 

1. Sydney Metro

Australia’s largest public transport project is the AUD $64 billion Sydney Metro. Four metro lines, 46 stations, and 113 kilometers of new metro rail will be installed by the time this effort concludes in 2032. The Metro utilizes the latest technology to make it fully automated and driverless. Once completed, the new railway will have a capacity of 40,000 people an hour per line, almost twice that of the existing system.

The Sydney Metro project has also boosted employment in the region, with the Airport segment alone creating over 14,000 new construction jobs. The advanced technology of the railway system has been made possible through building information modeling (BIM) for design, testing, and project management, and autonomous tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to accelerate earth-moving progress.  

2. Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail

The 1600-kilometer Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project will be to Australian freight transport what the Sydney Metro will soon become for passenger traffic. The 12-segment line is currently under construction, with new track passing through regional Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. The Inland Rail will move more transport operations from trucks to railroads, while improving the linkages between businesses, manufacturers, and producers.

Inland Rail Pty. Ltd. was selected to manage this immense project on behalf of the Australian Government. As the largest single rail endeavor in the country’s history, and one of the largest current construction projects in Australia, the Inland Rail is expected to generate over 21,500 direct and indirect jobs and integrate new technologies like AI-driven enterprise networks for design and construction, along with vibration-reducing floating slab track.

3. METRONET

Not to be outdone by recent infrastructure achievements on the east coast, the METRONET project in Perth is currently introducing 72 kilometers of new passenger rail, and 23 new stations. The historically large public investment behind the AUD $12.4 billion METRONET is intended to transform the region by establishing more desirable places to live, work, and play, while creating around 6,500 local construction jobs.

In addition to the new track and stations, plans call for new signaling infrastructure, safe pedestrian crossings, and a modern fleet of trains. Like the other large railway Australian construction projects, METRONET is using advanced technology like BIM, virtual reality, and private wireless networks to make the railway safer and more efficient from the design phase through full operation.

4. Cairns Institute 

While smaller in size and scope than other major construction projects in Australia, the award-winning Cairns Institute complex is known for its distinctive architecture, environmentally-friendly construction, and unique interior design. With a budget of AUD $25 million, the unusual shape of the buildings contributes to sustainability and efficiency, with advanced lighting automation systems (LAS) and ventilation louvres strategically positioned to capture prevailing winds.  

The Cairns Institute project also leveraged the latest software tools and technology, including RIB CostX takeoff and estimation software to extend efficiencies to the design, planning, and construction phases. Beacon Consulting utilized RIB CostX for external cost planning and procurement services, with the Bill of Quantities (BOQ) prepared quickly and accurately using direct takeoff from BIM models.

5. Melbourne Airport Rail Link

There is a reason why the Melbourne Airport Rail Link is considered a key element of Victoria’s “big build.” As one of the biggest construction projects in Australia today, the link will provide a vital connection between Melbourne Airport and Victoria’s regional train network. This important effort has been under discussion since the airport opened in 1970. With cooperation from the Victoria state government and the Rail Projects Victoria agency, the rail link will finally become a reality by 2033.

In addition to 27 kilometers of new rail line, the project also includes a brand-new station at Keilor East, and a full renovation of the existing Sunshine station. The AUD $13 billion endeavor is also expected to create new job opportunities for up to 8,000 workers during construction.   

6. Snowy 2.0

Named for its remote Snowy Mountain location, the infrastructure project known as Snowy 2.0 is the largest committed renewable energy project in Australia. Innovative tunneling technology will link two existing reservoirs to produce clean hydroelectric energy, with water flowing from the upper reservoir through an underground power generator. This new configuration will produce 2,200 megawatts of on-demand energy capacity while significantly reducing regional dependence on fossil fuels.

With a budget of AUD $12 billion and projected completion in 2027, Snowy 2.0 will create about 4,000 jobs across the life of the project. Future Generation has been chosen as the principal contractor.    

7. Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerlink)

Another entry in the renewable energy infrastructure category with high impact on regional decarbonization is the Australia-Asia Power Link, currently being developed by SunCable. This ambitious project will combine the world’s largest solar energy plant with the world’s longest submarine cable, transferring up to 20 gigawatts of electricity from western Australia to Singapore and Indonesia.

The AUD $35 billion project is expected to go live by 2030, with an estimated 6,800 new construction jobs created each successive year. AAPowerlink is also increasing the demand for experts in solar energy, battery storage systems, and undersea cable technology. 

8. New Bridgewater Bridge (TAS)

The New Bridgewater Bridge is certainly worthy of mention among the top construction projects in Australia. This innovative bridge, scheduled for completion in 2025, is also Tasmania’s largest ever transport infrastructure project. Spanning 1.2 kilometers with 16 meters of clearance above the Derwent River, the bridge cost an estimated AUD $786 million to build, while providing over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, more than 250 of which were created specifically for local Tasmanians.

9. Melbourne Metro Tunnel (VIC)

The Metro Tunnel project, also known as the Melbourne Metro Rail (MMR), utilizes twin 9-kilometer rail lines and five new underground stations to give passengers improved access to Melbourne’s major health and education precinct, as well as Northern Melbourne. Along with the advanced tunnel boring and communication technology shared by the biggest construction projects in Australia, a full digital twin was also created to allow stakeholders to visualize the railway and tunnel in 3D and test various design concepts of the AUD $13.48 billion project more easily.    

10. Kangaroo Point Green Bridge (QLD)

Just a short hop from the historic Botanic Gardens in Brisbane is the ambitious Kangaroo Point Bridge, the final entry on our list of major construction projects in Australia. Opened to the public in December of 2024, the 460-meter structure is known as a “green bridge” based on the solar panels, cooling vegetation, and shade cover along the entire span.

The striking architectural design became a reality with the help of BIM design and construction software, 1,811 dedicated workers, and a budget of AUD $299 million. The Kangaroo Point Bridge was partially funded by the Australian Government as part of the SEQ City Deal.

What can Professional Software do for Australian Construction Projects?    

The ambitious projects we reviewed would not have been possible without advanced software and technology to streamline workflows and minimize wasted effort. BIM and digital twins have revolutionized the design process by allowing engineers and architects to test various concepts safely in the digital realm. Advanced takeoff and estimation software like RIB CostX is another key component, with powerful revision tracking, 2D and 3D takeoff, and subcontractor comparison features ensuring each project benefits from real-time design information and live-linked cost databases.

Tools like RIB CostX also boost collaboration by tracking the history of design changes, with the capacity to update documents in real-time, avoiding version control issues that can lead to costly rework. A powerful embodied carbon module enables companies to track emissions at every project stage and reduce environmental impact—backed by professional reports that support fully data-driven decisions.

Final Thoughts   

The 10 Australian construction projects we have featured represent a small sampling of the residential, commercial, and infrastructure endeavors now transforming the country in exciting ways. Along with their size, scope, and outsized budgets, many of the top projects share a commitment to advanced construction technology and software tools that improve efficiency, cost control, and safety.

CostX, RIB’s professional estimating and 3D takeoff software, adds value and improves accuracy with workflows adaptable to every region, role, and industry. Sustainability concerns are addressed proactively through embodied carbon calculations, while complex project scopes become more manageable using 3D BIM takeoff, cloud connectivity, and professional client reports. 

RIB CostX is transforming how construction projects in Australia are designed, planned, and managed. Get your free demo today to discover what professional estimating and 3D takeoff software can do for your organization!