With just seven years to go, construction for the Brisbane Olympics will begin in earnest next year. But does the state have enough workers to get the job done?

Experts say it does not, warning the state is currently thousands of workers short.

It is estimated that the state will be 54,700 workers short next year. This is just as preparations for the Olympics ramp up.

So, what impact will the shortfall have, and what has been the response?

What is the issue?

Over the next five years, Queensland has $104 billion worth of engineering and infrastructure projects in the pipeline.

However, experts say to achieve this, the state needs between 50 and 80 per cent more construction workers.

They predict there will be a shortage of over 18,000 workers each year for the next eight years.

Currently, there is a shortage of 10,000 general construction workers, 17,000 concreters, 1,800 structural steel erectors, and 2,600 civil engineers in construction.

By March next year, it’s estimated there will be a shortage of 4,000 construction project managers and over 5,000 plant operators.

With the Olympics deadline immovable, failure to address this issue could have significant impacts on the wider construction industry.

What will be the impact?

Experts say that a lack of workers will mean that projects will be plagued by delays and cost blow-outs.
According to some, the Olympic projects will be completed on time. However, the added pressure on the construction workforce could affect other infrastructure projects across the state. For example, there are concerns about whether the state will be able to meet it’s target for the National Housing Accord.

This could impact the supply of affordable housing. The government has also pledged to upgrade critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, transport, and renewable energy.

Paul Bidwell is the CEO of Master Builders Queensland. He says he is concerned about the impact the Brisbane Olympics will have on other infrastructure projects in the state.

“I think the Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure, the venues and athletes villages will be built, but it’ll be putting enormous pressure on the industry” he told the ABC.

“What is going to happen to those other projects that are being tendered now, or in the process of?”.

What has been the response?

Queensland Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie is confident productivity gains will cover the shortfall. He said the chance to work on Olympic projects could help attract workers to the state

Indeed, there have already been expressions of interest from interstate construction workers who are interested in coming to Queensland to work on Olympic infrastructure projects.

Experts agreed the Olympics would help bring more workers to the state. However, they questioned if it would be enough to meet the current workforce shortfall.

They welcomed moves to improve productivity. For example, they said technology could be better utilised and heat policies could be better implemented.

With billions in projects underway and demand for workers showing no sign of slowing, now is an ideal time to enter the construction industry.

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Article References

Courier Mail (8 July 2025) ‘Editorial: 55k extra workers wanted to build Brisbane’s Games’, Courier Mail, accessed 8 July 2025.

Fellows, T (8 July 2025) ‘Brisbane 2032 Olympics: 55k more workers needed to build venues’, Courier Mail, accessed 8 July 2025.

McKenna, K (27 March 2025) ‘Queensland construction industry needs thousands of workers for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games’, ABC, accessed 8 July 2025.