Australia’s construction industry is under pressure. With skilled labour shortages, rising material costs, and increasing project complexity, companies are being pushed to rethink how they deliver. Fortunately, digital workflows are stepping in—not just as a workaround, but as a strategic enabler of smarter, leaner, and more resilient project delivery.
Understanding the Labour Gap
The challenges are widespread:
- Over 1.3 million Australians work in construction, yet skilled trades are retiring faster than they’re being replaced
- Only 23% of firms have a defined technology strategy
- 76% report technical skill shortages, despite being the lowest in Asia-Pacific
- Inflation and supply chain disruptions continue to strain budgets and timelines
Digital workflows offer a way forward—streamlining operations, reducing manual labour, and enabling smarter resource allocation.
How Digital Workflows Are Making a Difference:
- Automating Repetitive Tasks with AI
AI is helping teams automate scheduling, forecasting, and even design coordination.
- Example: In New South Wales, AI is being used in smart city projects to optimise labour allocation and automate repetitive planning tasks.
- Impact: Reduces reliance on manual oversight, allowing teams to focus on high-value work.
- Remote Collaboration with Cloud Platforms
Cloud-based platforms are transforming how teams access and share data.
- Example: Fredon used Autodesk Construction Cloud on WestConnex Stage 3B, Australia’s largest infrastructure project. The result? Up to 16 hours saved per day across their team by eliminating time spent searching for information.
- Impact: Improves visibility, accelerates decision-making, and reduces administrative burden.
- Digital Twins and BIM for Smarter Planning
Digital twins and BIM allow for virtual planning, clash detection, and real-time monitoring.
- Example: Victoria is leveraging digital twins in road and rail projects to improve asset management and reduce on-site labour needs.
- Impact: Enhances coordination, reduces rework, and supports long-term maintenance strategies.
- Mobile and IoT Technologies for Site Efficiency
Mobile apps and IoT sensors provide real-time updates from the site to the office.
- Example: Western Australia uses drones and sensors to monitor remote infrastructure and mining sites, reducing the need for manual inspections.
- Impact: Cuts travel time, improves safety, and enables proactive issue resolution.
- Upskilling Through Digital Ecosystems
Digital training platforms and “digital champions” are helping bridge the skills gap.
- Example: Autodesk’s partnerships with education providers are equipping workers with BIM, AI, and data analytics skills tailored to construction workflows.
- Impact: Accelerates onboarding, empowers junior staff, and builds a future-ready workforce.
Strategic Outcomes:
| Benefit | Impact on Labour Gaps |
|---|---|
| Task automation | Reduces reliance on manual labour |
| Remote access & collaboration | Expands workforce reach beyond site boundaries |
| Digital training & mentoring | Accelerates onboarding and upskilling |
| Data-driven decision-making | Improves efficiency with fewer resources |
| Attracting tech-savvy talent | Makes the industry more appealing to new entrants |
Digital workflows aren’t just a tech upgrade—they’re a workforce strategy. By automating tasks, enabling remote work, and accelerating upskilling, they help companies build smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
Draftech – Your Project, Our Expertise
Testimonials
Thank you for all your efforts on our projects; they have been an invaluable contribution to their success. We look forward to working with you on future projects.
Ian Ferguson MPM Group
Jess and Karl at Draftech were amazing. The communication from the start was prompt, and the entire process was extremely easy. We needed their knowledge on Air Schematics, and they had made one up for our buildings that we service. Thanks so much, and we will be using you guys in the future. Cheers, Air Control Australia.
Greg Colebrook AirControl Australia
With Draftech’s thorough understanding of building services modelling and close attention to detail, Forth has been afforded the opportunity to outsource some of our BIM projects with absolute confidence in the accuracy of the final product.
Gary Murdoch Forth Consulting
Very professional and efficient organization. Delivered a great product to a tight deadline.
ACE Power
Karl and the team are very professional and have a vast knowledge of BIM coordination.
Dwayne Willaims Babinda Electrics
We had multiple large projects with tight deadlines and needed a company we could trust. The teams delivery, attention to detail and understanding of what is being designed is always executed to a high standard.
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Draftech offered a flexible and reliable approach to working collaboratively with our team. They met our expectations and quality requirements and also offered up new ideas.
Draftech have proven to be a valuable and trustworthy resource and we will continue to work with Draftech on other projects.
Simon Marsden Umow Lai
Draftech is different from others in the professionalism and features they provide.
The ability to walk through projects in real time online provides invaluable insight into problem areas and helps provide an efficient resolution on the spot without many phone calls, emails and the necessity for us to paw through countless drawings to understand the issues.
Todd Morris Manager - Air mech
Draftech were put forward to FIP Electrical as the solution to Coordinate, Model, carry out clash detection, provide Electrical Services Shop Drawings, as built documentation and completed electrical model.
Simon Thorpe FIP Electrical
In close collaboration Draftech set up all our systems and model deliverables. In this process Draftech have proven to be a valuable resource for us and demonstrated commitment, understanding and professionalism.
David Skelley DJCoalition
Draftech’s attention to detail and proactive nature throughout the project assisted us in identifying issues before becoming evident on site, saving us both time and unexpected costs.
Matt Payne PJM Engineering Services
They delivered very high quality Revit models and associated 2D documentation at key milestones, working to a tight budget and in strict accordance with the Architects’ BIM requirements.
Peter Thomas Geoff Hesford
We found Draftech’s work to be of high standard and the team delivered exactly as agreed, in fact, when we considered the project complete, Draftech put further resources into the project as they were not satisfied.
John Johnson Beca
Engaging Draftech during design gave us the tools to make smart decisions.
Hansen Yuncken Design Manager - Michael Harkins
The drafting service is timely, reliable and fit for purpose for the built environment.
Peter Harvey Harvey Industries
Draftech stands apart from other drafting services that we have previously used in their attention to detail and ability to adapt to the individual client’s requirements.
Doug Holt McCaig Aircon
I can confidently recommend Draftech as a solid and reliable supplier, and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.
Chris Behan Norman Disney & Young
After seeing the benefits Draftech provided us on the Townsville Hospital Redevelopment we have set up a relationship with Draftech and intend to continue to use their BIM knowledge and skills for our future projects.
Brad Lund Energy Power Systems
Draftech has no competition as they are in a class of their own.
John Boyes Babinda Electrics
Draftech Developments Drafting and Design Capabilities, in conjunction with their outstanding level of Client service and support has provided great solutions to our engineering and Drafting Design portions within our Gorgon Barrow Island Project.
Aaron Hazelton Applied Electro Systems Pty Ltd
Draftech set up necessary systems and workflows very quickly, but also setup auditable estimating and weekly cost tracking processes that we utilised, requiring little maintenance.
TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
