Shaista Shaista 
The US data centre construction boom is reshaping the industry, driving record investment while creating regional capacity constraints, rising construction costs, and growing labour shortages. As spending surpasses traditional office construction, developers and contractors face increasing challenges in securing skilled workers and managing project delivery in high-growth markets.
Australia’s retirement village sector is emerging as an increasingly attractive investment opportunity, supported by strong demographic demand, a growing development pipeline, and rising institutional capital. Explore the latest forecasts on supply, pricing, yields, capital values, and total returns in our latest report.
Australia’s industry growth has softened, but resilient business investment, data centre development, and a mining rebound are helping support activity through 2026.
While the ceasefire reduces immediate energy risks, Australian construction costs are likely to remain under pressure.
AI-driven data center growth is driving up construction demand, costs, and labor pressures.
Oxford Economics examines how a prolonged Iran war could disrupt oil supply, reshape global trade flows, pressure energy-dependent economies, and impact global supply chains.
The report highlights the significant economic and strategic importance of AI, cloud computing, and data-enabled technologies in helping Australia unlock water capacity, improve efficiency, and support more resilient utilities, agriculture, households, and industry.
Oxford Economics today announced the acquisition of Macromonitor, a leading provider of economic forecasting and research services to Australia’s building and construction sector.
Australia’s labour market remains resilient, with steady employment keeping the unemployment rate stable and reinforcing expectations of a May rate hike.
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and escalating Iran tensions are driving inflation and downside growth risks in Australia.
Global trade faces mixed forces, with tariff easing supporting growth while Middle East conflict poses downside risks.
The report highlights the significant economic and strategic importance of Australia’s cement, concrete and aggregates industry in supporting construction, infrastructure delivery, and national supply chains.
The conflict in the Middle East delivered an immediate shock to global trade, but the impacts aren’t uniform across regions and commodities.
Australia is at the peak of a boom in tunnel work, supported by a record level of transportation construction activity. The pipeline of tunnelling work is set to begin declining as government funding of infrastructure projects slows.
Imports rise on data centre demand as Australia’s trade surplus narrows.
RESEARCH BRIEFING Wage growth should slow, but upside risks persist in Australia Labour shortages and strong demand continue to support wage growth.
RESEARCH BRIEFING Stage set for strong Q4 GDP print despite slowdown in trade in Australia Government spending drives Q4 growth as trade softens and the current account deficit widens.
RESEARCH BRIEFING Rates to move higher as inflation refuses to play ball in Australia Strong inflation and jobs data delay disinflation, keeping policy restrictive.
Data centers are expanding beyond major cities as tech giants seek lower energy costs, reduced community pushback, and new power solutions for growing AI demand
This report examines the scale and drivers of Australia’s illicit tobacco market and its impact on consumption, government revenue, and public health. It highlights how a widening price gap is accelerating the shift to illicit products and outlines a coordinated policy response to address the issue.
