Brisbane 2032 and the race for Safety Leaders

A pipeline that will stretch the workforce

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) estimates around $11.2 billion of construction work for the 2032 Games. Reporting on CSQ's 2026 report puts labour demand for Games projects at a peak of nearly 8,000 construction workers in 2030–31.

From what I can see in real time, the workforce simply isn't keeping up. Project advisory firm WT forecasts a Queensland construction labour shortfall of 27,200 workers in 2026–27, rising to 46,000 in 2028–29 (WT). Brisbane 2032 chair Andrew Liveris has acknowledged labour availability as a potential hurdle for the Games (AAP).

The workforce is also getting older. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission reports the average age across its licence classes is almost 49, and people under 30 make up just 6% of its 122,000+ licensees (QBCC). As experienced people retire, they take years of site knowledge with them. This retirement cliff is happening across the country, but is potentially more dramatic in SEQ than anywhere else, due to the demand.

Why safety leaders will be in short supply

A labour shortage changes the risk profile of a site. More concurrent projects, tighter timelines and less experienced crews all raise the stakes for safety leadership. Senior HSE leaders are the people who set the systems, culture and controls that hold up under that pressure.

Queensland's recent record shows what's at stake. From 1 March 2025 to 31 March 2026, the state's Office of Industrial Relations was notified of 32 work-related fatalities, 23 workers and 9 bystanders. In construction, mobile plant and transport accounted for 48.7% of Queensland's construction fatalities from 2020 to 2024

The regulator is active. In July 2026, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland began a statewide construction compliance campaign on working at heights (WorkSafe QLD). Queensland has also had an industrial manslaughter offence since 2017 (L&E Global), so accountability for officers and executives is real.

The Games also won't be the only projects competing for these people. CSQ points to demand across housing, energy, health and transport as well. Every one of those projects needs experienced safety leadership, often at the same time.

What employers can do now

• Hire early. Bring your safety leader in before construction peaks, ideally at design and procurement stage. Decisions made early shape the risks people manage later.
• Be clear on the role. Define scope, reporting line, authority and resources in the position brief. Senior candidates will ask, and a vague brief slows the process.
• Build your EVP. The “why us” will become even more important as the top talent considers multiple opportunities.
• Widen the search. Look interstate and at adjacent sectors such as mining, energy and infrastructure. Plan for relocation support if you need it.
• Plan for gaps. Interim HSE leaders can cover a vacancy or a critical project phase while you search for a permanent hire.
• Hold on to who you have. Your current safety leaders will be approached by competitors. Look at career paths, recognition and workload now.

What it means for safety leaders

For senior HSE professionals, the next five years offer a rare chance to lead safety on nationally significant projects. That experience will carry weight for the rest of your career.

Before you take a role, ask a few questions:

• Who do you report to, and how often does safety reach the board?
• Do you have the authority and budget to act on what you find?
• How will the project manage schedule pressure as the deadline gets closer?
• What support is there for you and your team's own wellbeing?

If you're moving from another state, get across Queensland's WHS laws and regulator priorities early.

Talk to us

The Safe Step specialises in senior and executive HSE appointments across Australia. Whether you're building a safety leadership team for a major project or weighing up your next move, we can help. Get in touch with our team.