FROM THE CEO

BEYOND THE BILLABLE

How do you build the firm of the future when you can’t predict the market past November? Each year, Consult Australia’s Market Conditions Survey takes the pulse of our membership. This year, the vital signs are mixed.

Jonathan Cartledge, CEO, Consult Australia

Jonathan Cartledge | CEO, Consult Australia

ADVOCATING FOR YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS

Unfair trading practices

More work, but not more certainty

2026 Market Conditions Report

Australia’s technical consulting market is showing signs of growth. However, persistent pipeline uncertainty, elevated risk, procurement delays and rising business costs continue to constrain confidence and investment decisions.

Advocacy in action

Advocacy in action

Turning insight into influence

Behind every advocacy win is a team connecting members, governments and practical solutions across Australia. Here's a snapshot of our advocacy in action.

Tackling engineering’s gender gap

Tackling engineering’s gender gap

New Champions of Change Engineers Group

A new $1.9 million national initiative, supported by Consult Australia, will target the systemic barriers that prevent women from entering, staying and progressing in engineering.

Arcadis strengthens APAC leadership

Arcadis has announced a series of senior leadership appointments, promoting Renaye Peters to Sector Executive for Rail, Transit, Ports and Aviation, Rebecca Hewlett to Service Executive for Environmental Services APAC, and Ken Lunty to APAC Service Area Lead – Sustainability Advisory & Circular Economy.

Buchan names first female CEO

Architecture firm Buchan has appointed Laraine Sperling as its first female CEO in the practice's 135-year history. Formerly Chief Strategy Officer, she will lead five studios across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on growth, technology and sustainability.

WT appoints Heidi Mitchell as CEO

Heidi Mitchell has served as WT’s Chief Operating Officer since 2023, leading and scaling the firm’s national operations and chairing its national leadership team in Australia.

Umwelt welcomes Kerryn Coker to the board

Kerryn Coker joins Umwelt as a Non-Executive Director, following two decades with Arup and a stint as Chair of the Consult Australia Champions of Change.

Inclusion happens in the small moments

Inclusion happens in the small moments

Arup’s Brad Harvey-Fiander won the 2026 Consult Australia Award for Excellence in Leadership in Diversity & Inclusion. Looking back on a decade of championing LGBTQ+ inclusion, he says the biggest changes rarely start with grand gestures.

Net zero concrete needs more than new chemistry

Net zero concrete needs more than new chemistry

The next chapter of concrete innovation won’t start with a technical solution or a miracle material. It will be defined by the industry’s ability to work together, says the SmartCrete CRC team.

The age of convergence

The age of convergence

Winning Medium Firm of the Year at the Consult Australia Awards for Excellence recognises what Egis has achieved. But Managing Director Rowenna Walker is also interested in what consulting firms become next.

 

Building Canberra’s future together

Building Canberra’s future together

“A transparent and reliable pipeline enables industry to confidently invest in people, skills and innovation,” says Infrastructure Canberra’s Director-General Gillian Geraghty. Find out more about practical reforms, including pipeline visibility and the Pathways Hub.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ...

Fixing the procurement problem

Help shape future government construction procurement by sharing your experience in ACIF and APCC’s industry survey.

Playing with fire?

A 12-month reprieve has been reportedly secured for CSIRO’s fire testing facility following sustained industry advocacy.

Steel certification warning

The Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels (ACRS) is warning of increasing reports of non-compliant steel products and misleading certification claims.

Future of rail

The Australasian Railway Association identifies 10 structural megatrends that will define the operating environment for transport to 2040.

Engineering a career

Engineering graduates are among the nation’s most employable, with 83.4% in full-time work, according to Engineers Australia’s latest survey.

Old homes, new ratings

NatHERS has expanded to existing homes, with faster assessments, tailored upgrade advice and assessor accreditation opening to grow the workforce nationwide.

Global Infrastructure Conference - Register now
Global Infrastructure Conference - Register now
Develop the skills shaping our industry, Explore Consult Australia Education
Develop the skills shaping our industry, Explore Consult Australia Education
Partnership with the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF)
Partnership with the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF)

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