Queensland’s $116.8 Billion Construction Boom: Now is the Perfect Time to Launch Your Earthmoving Career

The numbers are staggering. Queensland’s construction industry is heading into unprecedented territory, and if you’ve been considering a career change or entry into civil construction, there’s never been a better time.

The Skills Shortage Crisis Creates Massive Opportunity

Construction Skills Queensland has just released their industry outlook for 2025-26, and the findings reveal an extraordinary opportunity for anyone willing to get trained and get to work.

Here’s what the data shows:

Queensland needs 40,000 additional construction workers in 2025-26 alone. That’s not a typo. The state requires 146,100 construction workers on average to deliver the massive pipeline of projects, but the workforce simply isn’t there.

This skills shortage isn’t just numbers on a page. It represents real career opportunities, competitive wages, and job security for those with the right qualifications.

Record Infrastructure Investment Driving Demand

The Queensland Government has committed a record $116.8 billion to infrastructure over the next four years. This includes $29.3 billion in capital works for 2025-26 alone.

What’s driving this unprecedented investment? Population growth, major infrastructure projects, and preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Games are all creating massive momentum in the construction sector.

For the Sunshine Coast region specifically, where Diggerman Training is based, the building pipeline is forecast to reach $4.4 billion in 2025-26. That’s an enormous amount of work happening right on our doorstep.

Earthmoving Operators in High Demand

The report specifically identifies “earthmoving and other plant operators” as a key occupation needed for the engineering pipeline. This directly validates what we see every day at Diggerman Training – employers desperately seeking qualified operators for excavators, skid steers, dozers, graders, and other earthmoving equipment.

Other in-demand roles include:

• Building labourers
• Concreters
• Construction managers
• Civil engineers
• Structural steel workers
• Riggers and Doggers

Real Students, Real Success Stories

At Diggerman Training, we’re already seeing the impact of this industry boom. Students like Dylan, who came to us as someone “new to the industry with zero experience in machine operations,” are successfully transitioning into rewarding construction careers.

Cree recently shared: “Such an awesome experience. Never done anything like this, and the team was so helpful and understanding!”

Alex, who has trained with multiple RTOs, told us we’re “by far the best” with “great trainers and assessors.”

These aren’t isolated cases. They represent the growing number of Australians who are taking advantage of the current skills shortage to launch new careers in construction.

Southeast Queensland: The Construction Epicentre

The data reveals that 79% of Queensland’s forecast building pipeline is concentrated in Southeast Queensland:

• Greater Brisbane: $26.2 billion
• Gold Coast: $8.1 billion
• Sunshine Coast: $4.4 billion

This means if you’re within a two-hour drive of our Coolum training facility – including Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Kingaroy, and Dalby – you’re in the heart of Australia’s biggest construction boom.

Your Pathway to a Construction Career Starts Here

Diggerman Training offers nationally recognised qualifications across all the high-demand earthmoving equipment:

• Excavator operations
• Skid steer (Bobcat) operations
• Front-end loader operations
• Dozer operations
• Grader operations
• Roller operations
• Backhoe operations
• Forklift operations

Our trainers each have over 20 years of industry experience and understand exactly what employers are looking for. We keep class sizes small to ensure you get the individual attention you deserve.

Whether you’re completely new to the industry or an experienced operator seeking verification of competency, we have courses designed for your skill level.

The Time to Act is Now

The CSQ report makes it clear: Queensland’s construction industry is entering a period of unprecedented activity. With 40,000 additional workers needed in 2025-26 alone, those who get qualified now will have their pick of opportunities.

The skills shortage that’s creating challenges for the industry represents a golden opportunity for job seekers. But windows like this don’t stay open forever.

Ready to secure your place in Queensland’s construction boom?

View the full Construction Skills Queensland Industry Outlook report here: CSQ Industry Outlook 2025-26

Book Your Spot Today

Don’t let this historic opportunity pass you by. Contact Diggerman Training today to discuss which course is right for you and secure your spot in our next available program.

With competitive pricing, flexible scheduling, and Australia’s most experienced trainers, we’re here to help you launch a rewarding career in one of the country’s most in-demand industries.

Enquire now and take the first step towards your construction career.