CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The contribution of an industry to the overall production of goods and services in an economy, gross domestic product (GDP), is measured by gross value added (GVA). Information on the relationship between industry GVA and GDP is provided in the Industry structure and performance chapter.

Total production of the construction industry, as measured by GVA (in volume terms), generally increased from 1991-92 to 1999-2000. The peak in 1999-2000 was followed by a sharp decline, coinciding with the introduction of The New Tax System in July 2000. Construction industry GVA (in volume terms) has increased steadily since 2000-01, and in 2005-06 reached $61,644 million (m) (graph 21.1).

In 2005-06 the construction industry's share of the total production of goods and services in the Australian economy GDP was 6.4%.

In 2006-07 the construction industry employed an average of 917,600 people (table 21.2), 4.7% higher than in 2005-06. The number of employees increased by 9.0% since 2005-06, while the number of employers and own account workers fell by 10% and 2.8% respectively.

In 2006-07 the majority of construction industry employment was in construction trade services (633,500 people or 69%), which includes those engaged in services such as earthmoving, concreting, bricklaying, roofing, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, glazing and landscaping. General construction includes the construction of houses, buildings and structures. In 2006-07 average annual employment in general construction increased by 6.6% to 284,100 people.

21.2 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, Employment(a)
		2005-06	2006-07
Employment status		'000	'000
General construction
	Employee	222	240
	Employer	10	9
	Own account worker(b)	34	35
	Total(c)	266	284
Construction trade services
	Employee	369	405
	Employer	44	40
	Own account worker(b)	198	189
	Total(c)	610	634
Total construction(d)
	Employee	591	645
	Employer	54	48
	Own account worker(b)	231	225
	Total(c)	876	918
(a) Annual average of quarterly data.
(b) A worker that hires no employees.
(c) Includes contributing family worker.
(d) Includes categories General construction and Construction trade services.
Source: Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (6291.0.55.003).

The Australian Bureau of Statistics compiles two price indexes relating to the construction industry - the Price Index of Output of the General Construction Industry, and the Price Index of Materials Used in Home Building. Information on recent trends in these indexes is provided in Construction industries indexes in the Prices chapter.

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