Crane Count Reflects Enduring Strength in Construction Nation

Australia’s skyline continues to tell a story of resilience and growth, with the latest RLB Crane Index® revealing that construction activity across the country remains at impressively elevated levels.

According to Rider Levett Bucknall’s September report, there were 845 cranes in operation nationwide, up slightly from 840 recorded in March. It marks the eighth consecutive period that Australia has maintained more than 800 active cranes, a clear indicator of the sustained momentum underpinning the sector.

The index, first launched in 2012, has long served as a reliable pulse check for the nation’s construction industry, tracking crane numbers as a tangible measure of site activity. With the long-term average sitting at 775, the latest figures demonstrate that strong levels of development have now been consistent for several years, showing ongoing stability and demand.

Sydney once again led the nation, accounting for nearly 44 per cent of all cranes, with 370 dotted across the city’s ever-changing skyline. While this is a slight dip from the previous count, it reinforces the Harbour City’s role as the country’s construction powerhouse. Melbourne followed closely behind, maintaining its total of 199 cranes, supported by major projects such as the $36 billion North East Link where 46 fixed and crawler cranes are currently in use.

Brisbane and the Gold Coast both added eight cranes each, bringing their totals to 73 and 67 respectively, highlighting the strength of South East Queensland’s construction pipeline. Canberra saw a small decline as several public sector projects reached completion.

Across Australia, residential development continues to lead the way, with 498 cranes now operating in the housing sector, representing nearly 60 per cent of all cranes nationwide. The rise reflects renewed confidence in housing and an ongoing focus on delivering much-needed supply. Growth was also recorded in mixed-use developments, data centres and healthcare, as the industry adapts to evolving needs around digital infrastructure and community wellbeing.

While commercial and civic projects saw minor contractions, this shift aligns with broader trends as investment moves toward infrastructure, energy and technology-led projects.

Supporting this sentiment, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a 3 per cent rise in the total value of construction work completed in the June quarter, reaching a six-year high of $76.1 billion. Much of this activity is being driven by strong momentum across transport infrastructure, energy, water and an increasingly active residential sector.

From city skylines to regional communities, the crane continues to symbolise more than just construction progress. They reflect opportunity, investment confidence and the essential role of the industry in shaping Australia’s future. With activity holding firm and project diversity expanding, the outlook remains bright for builders, engineers and tradespeople nationwide, and for those who help connect them to the opportunities that keep our nation moving forward.