New industrial dispute data comes as productivity continues to flatline

9 September 2026

Today’s ABS industrial dispute data shows 2,600 construction working days were lost to industrial disputes during the June 2026 quarter.

At the same time, last week’s GDP figures showed productivity across the economy has continued to flatline. Construction has experienced the largest productivity decline of any major sector over the past decade, and history shows that workplace arrangements which contribute to disruption, delay and uncertainty make it harder to improve productivity and deliver homes and infrastructure.

The sector’s productivity has fallen 21.5 per cent over the past decade.

Lower productivity means It now takes 11.49 months to build a detached home, up from 8.79 months before the pandemic.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said lifting productivity requires a rebalancing of industrial relations settings, alongside action to reduce unnecessary regulation, improve investment confidence, strengthen tax incentives and address workforce shortages.

“Productivity-destroying clauses in enterprise agreements must be removed from the industry, as called for in Master Builders’ six-point plan to address poor conduct in the sector.

“Examples of these productivity-hampering clauses include those that limit flexibility in Rostered Days Off or essentially give unions veto power over subcontractor selection.

“Every restriction ultimately adds to costs, delays projects and puts further pressure on housing affordability.

“Australia cannot meet its housing and infrastructure ambitions while construction productivity continues to go backwards. Enterprise bargaining should support productivity and efficiency, not create additional barriers to getting projects built,” Ms Wawn said.

Media contact: Dylan Hafey, Adviser, Media & Government Relations

0497 330 064 | dylan.hafey@masterbuilders.com.au