Converge Expo 2027 to focus on Australian construction challenges

The Converge Expo has announced its return for September 15–16, 2027, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will focus on major projects within Australia’s civil and commercial construction sectors, aiming to address critical industry pressures including productivity stagnation, workforce shortages, and rising costs.

Infrastructure Australia projects that the construction workforce shortage could reach 300,000 workers by 2027, with regional areas expected to face the most significant pressure. Additionally, construction costs are forecast to remain elevated, with national escalation rates projected at 5.5% for building and 5.1% for infrastructure in 2026.

David Jenkins, CEO of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA), has emphasized the necessity of integrating climate resilience into infrastructure planning. As assets are designed for long-term service lives, Jenkins noted that increasing floods and bushfires necessitate a systems-based approach to ensure longevity and resilience against climate change.