For years, digital twins were talked about like a future-state ambition — something that would arrive “one day” when the industry was ready. That day has quietly arrived. Across Australia, project teams are moving beyond static BIM models and building living digital twins that evolve with the site itself.
Reality capture — laser scanning, drones, IoT sensors, and automated data pipelines — is the engine behind this shift. It’s turning models into dynamic, continuously updated reflections of what’s actually happening on the ground. And the impact is already reshaping delivery, coordination, and decision-making.
This isn’t hype. It’s happening on active projects right now.
Why BIM Alone No Longer Keeps Up — A More Positive Framing:
BIM has transformed the industry by giving teams a coordinated, intelligent design environment that improves clarity and collaboration from day one. As construction becomes faster and more dynamic, site conditions evolve in ways even the best models can’t fully anticipate. Digital twins build on the strengths of BIM, extending its value by connecting the model to real-time or high-frequency site data. Together, they empower teams to work with the most current information — aligning design intent with what’s actually happening on site.
The result is a more honest, transparent, and predictable project environment.
What This Looks Like on Australian Sites Today
Instead of talking about digital twins as a concept, let’s look at how teams are actually using them.
Laser Scanning for Continuous As-Built Verification:
Many contractors now scan critical areas weekly — sometimes daily — to compare as-built conditions against the BIM model. This workflow is catching clashes early, validating subcontractor work, and reducing disputes. One team reported a 40% drop in rework on complex service installations simply by detecting deviations before they escalated.
Drone Capture for Earthworks and Progress Tracking:
Civil and infrastructure projects are using drones to generate accurate terrain models and automate progress reporting. A Queensland project cut its monthly reporting time from three days to three hours, freeing engineers to focus on decisions rather than data wrangling.
IoT Sensors Feeding Live Data into the Model:
Hospitals, transport hubs, and large commercial builds are embedding IoT sensors that feed real-time data into their digital twins. This enables predictive maintenance, safety monitoring, and operational insights long before handover.
These aren’t pilots. They’re becoming standard practice.
What Early Adopters Have Learned:
The teams leading the way share a few common lessons:
- Start with one workflow, not the whole twin. Success comes from proving value early — often with scanning or drone capture — then scaling.
- Data governance is the real challenge. Capturing data is easy. Structuring, naming, storing, and linking it is where projects win or lose.
- Upskilling is essential. Digital twins aren’t a software purchase; they’re a capability shift. The best teams invest in training site engineers, BIM coordinators, and project managers early.
A Typical Digital Twin Workflow (and Why It Works)
Instead of a one-off model, digital twins rely on a repeatable loop:
| Stage | Reality Capture Input | Output |
| Capture | – Scans, drone imagery, IoT data | – Raw site data |
| Process | – Registration, calibration, cleaning | – Structured datasets |
| Compare | – Model-to-reality checks | – Actionable insights |
| Update | – BIM adjustments, issue tracking | – Living digital twin |
| Share | – Dashboards + viewers | – Real-time visibility |
This loop creates a rhythm that keeps the model aligned with the site — not just at milestones, but continuously.
The Human Side: New Skills and New Roles:
As digital twins become embedded in delivery, roles are evolving:
- Reality Capture Technicians are becoming core site resources
- Digital Engineers are shifting from coordination to data orchestration
- BIM Managers are stepping into Digital Twin Lead roles
- Site Engineers are learning scanning, drone ops, and data validation
For individuals, this is a career accelerator. For companies, it’s a chance to build internal capability and reduce reliance on external specialists.
The Payoff: Real, Measurable Benefits:
Across early adopters, the gains are consistent:
- 20–50% reduction in rework
- Faster alignment between design and construction
- More accurate progress claims
- Greater client trust through transparent data
- Improved safety outcomes via sensor-linked monitoring
Digital twins aren’t a buzzword anymore. They’re a competitive advantage.
Where Australia Is Heading Next:
As reality capture becomes cheaper, faster, and more automated, digital twins will shift from innovation to expectation. The next wave includes:
- AI-driven deviation detection
- Automated model updates
- Predictive cost and schedule analytics
- Full lifecycle twins from design to FM
The companies investing now are the ones shaping the industry’s next decade.
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
