March 2026
Not digital by exception
Digital by default
“Digital can be the ‘normal way’ that infrastructure is planned, designed and delivered – but we must keep championing it.” This has been Consult Australia’s consistent message in 2026.
The NSW Infrastructure Digitalisation and Data Policy highlights the scale of Australia’s challenge.
The construction sector, contributing around 20% of the nation’s gross domestic product, has posted a 17.6% drop in productivity since 2014, compared with a 4.3% rise in the broader market. There is an urgent need to do things differently.
The NSW Government’s policy is one positive step. This aims to accelerate the adoption of digital practices and technologies to improve productivity, reduce waste and deliver better infrastructure.
Speaking at the Women in BIM Conference in Brisbane in March, Consult Australia’s National Policy Manager Kristine Banks applauded recent policy leadership, but noted that policy alone is not enough.
“Our members are ready to work digitally, but when every project asks for something slightly different, efficiency gains disappear. Consistency of digital requirements across agencies and jurisdictions is key to realising the benefits,” Kristine said.
“When the market signal from clients remains fragmented, capability uplift is challenging.” That’s why Consult Australia is calling for a nationally coordinated community of practice “to foster collaboration, build on good practice and drive digital transformation sector-wide”.
This message has been reinforced through other recent engagements. Speaking at Digital Built World in Sydney, Consult Australia Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Cartledge also highlighted the importance of consistent application of digital requirements across agencies and jurisdictions.
Kristy Eulenstein, Head of Policy and Government Relations, participated in the Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit. This underscored the role of digital as an enabler for other government priorities, notably sustainability, resilience and risk.
And at the Construction Industry Leadership Forum Project Design Workshop, digital collaboration was endorsed as a key principle for transparent, traceable and efficient delivery.
“There is agreement on the need for clearer requirements, stronger capability and greater consistency across jurisdictions. But alignment does not happen on its own. This is why Digital by Default remains a key campaign for Consult Australia,” Kristine concludes.
To find out more, download Consult Australia’s Enabling Digital by Default whitepaper or contact Kristine Banks.