Engineers Australia pre-budget submission calls for national productivity boost

Engineers Australia has urged the federal government to bolster engineering capability, infrastructure productivity and skills reform in the 2026 Budget. The peak body representing more than 140,000 engineers has warned that, without decisive action, Australia risks falling behind the rest of the world on growth, resilience and competitiveness.

In its 2026 Pre-Budget submission, Engineers Australia outlines seven practical and cost-effective reforms, to strengthen the nation’s engineering workforce, improve infrastructure delivery and ensure taxpayer-funded projects deliver long-term value.

Engineers Australia Chief Executive Officer Romilly Madew AO said engineers sit at the heart of Australia’s economic ambitions.

“Engineering is the backbone of Australia’s STEM workforce and underpins almost half of our economic value-add,” she said. “If Australia wants to lift productivity, deliver housing and infrastructure faster, and compete globally, we must invest in engineering capability and remove the barriers holding it back.”

Australia has more than 450,000 engineers, with engineering accounting for 45% of business expenditure on research and development, and playing a critical role across infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and technology.

A central priority of the submission is achieving nationally consistent registration for engineers, when there are currently eight separate state and territory schemes.

“A national registration scheme would improve workforce mobility, reduce red tape, strengthen public safety and align Australia with international best practice,” Madew said. “This is a clear productivity reform that benefits governments, industry and the community.”

The submission also calls for reforms to lift productivity across the nation’s $213 billion public infrastructure pipeline, including digital-by-default delivery, standardised documentation, modern methods of construction, circular economy principles and stronger workforce training.

To strengthen technical decision-making at the highest levels, Engineers Australia has also called for the appointment of a National Chief Engineer to provide independent advice across government, reduce project risk and improve value for money in major investments.

“With fewer engineers in the public sector and increasingly complex infrastructure challenges, embedding senior engineering expertise in government is essential,” Madew said.

“These reforms are practical, achievable and focused on lifting productivity and prosperity for all Australians,” Madew added. “The 2026 Budget is a critical opportunity for government to clear obstacles so that engineers can do what they do best, helping secure a more productive and prosperous Australia.”

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