The domestic construction industry is expected to continue growing at an average annual rate of 3% between 2026 and 2029.
The Oxford Economics Group forecasts growth in major engineering works in Australia of 7.6% in the 2025 financial year, reaching $144.5 billion.
Sarens participated in the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne, maneuvering, transporting and installing two tunnel portals weighing 600 tons each.
According to a study by Markets&Research, real growth of 3.8% is forecast for the Australian construction industry in 2025. This growth is being driven by improvements in transport infrastructure and increased investment in sectors such as housing, manufacturing projects and renewable energy. Continuing this trend, the national construction industry is expected to continue growing at an average annual rate of 3% between 2026 and 2029, supported by public and private sector investment in housing and transport infrastructure projects.
The Oxford Economics Group indicates that major engineering works in Australia increased by 4.7% year-on-year, reaching $36.5 billion during the last quarter of 2024, driven by mining and public utility works. This data sets a precedent for growth of 7.6% in fiscal year 2025, reaching $144.5 billion. Added to this is the boom in government-funded transport infrastructure, which is approaching its peak, with a cyclical peak of $39.2 billion forecast at the end of fiscal year 2025.
Initiatives such as the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne, Victoria, in which Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, has been able to participate, continue to drive growth in the sector. To this end, Sarens worked for the client CPB & John Holland JV on the maneuvering, transport and installation of two concrete tunnel portals for the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP). This project is part of a larger initiative to build twin road tunnels connecting the West Gate Freeway to the port and downtown Melbourne, alleviating traffic in the region.
Two giant tunnel boring machines (Bella and Vida), each with a diameter of 15.6 metres, a length of 90 metres and a weight of 4,000 tons, were used to carry out the WGTP works. These TBMs excavated approximately 4 km of tunnels under the Maribyrnong River and urban areas such as Yarraville. Sarens' role in the entrance and exit portals was also integral to the tunnel project, which was completed with TBM advances in 2023. Each portal weighed around 600 tons and Sarens used 36 lines of SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporters) axles, a SARLIFT lifting system and a PJ250 jack climbing system to transport them.
Projects such as this, coupled with initiatives such as the Northern Australia Action Plan, launched in November 2024 with an investment of AUD 30 billion and focused on improving affordable housing and transport infrastructure in Queensland and the Northern Territory by 2029, demonstrate the momentum behind the industry from both the public and private sectors. Together, these initiatives consolidate Australia as an attractive setting for innovation in the field of construction and the development of sustainable solutions in the area of civil infrastructure.
According to Isabella Burke, Sarens Commercial Manager in Oceania, "our role in installing the tunnel portals reflects our commitment to innovation and operational excellence. The current dynamism in the sector, backed by public and private investment, not only boosts the national economy but also opens up new opportunities to implement cutting-edge technologies in civil infrastructure. At Sarens, we reaffirm our commitment to continue contributing our experience and technical expertise to the major projects that are transforming Australia and improving the quality of life of its communities."
Sarens has extensive experience, having collaborated on major projects nationally and internationally. Some of these, such as Amrun Port and Mine (Queensland, east coast), Roy Hill Project (Western Australia), FMG Project and Haypoint for BMA, demonstrate Sarens' commitment to contributing to the sustained growth of the construction industry in Australia.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/