The Queensland Productivity Commission has been tasked to undertake an inquiry into opportunities to improve the productivity of the Queensland construction industry. The inquiry will examine how policies and regulation affect productivity in the construction industry and consider opportunities for reform that will provide net benefits for the community. 

This interim report proposes a reform program to improve productivity across the industry. The Commission has made 21 preliminary recommendations and identified 12 directions for reform, focused on four key areas:

• reforming government procurement
• improving land use regulation
• improving the regulation of building activity
• improving labour market operation.

Key findings

• Productivity in the Queensland construction industry had fallen 9% since 2018. Had productivity remained the same, 77,000 extra dwellings could have been built since 2018.
• There was no evidence that the recent productivity decline had been offset by improvements in other outcomes.
• Labour productivity today was only 5% higher than 1994–95. In comparison, labour productivity in the market economy grew by 65% over the same period. 

The Commission invites feedback on the interim report. Submissions close 28 August 2025.