ACA Pulse Check 2026 – Queensland Insights
Queensland respondents, representing 50 practices and 19% of the national cohort, are among the most direct about the structural problems they face. Pipeline remains uneven. While some practices report steady work, particularly in sectors such as social housing and infrastructure, others describe a stop-start environment where projects are delayed or fail to proceed. This variability is shaping how practices approach hiring, investment and growth.
The Queensland respondents, representing 50 practices and 19% of the national cohort, are a mix of metropolitan and regional businesses, with small practices again forming the majority.
What’s driving the pressure?
More than any other state, Queensland respondents highlight the impact of procurement models. There is a strong sense that:
- Design and Construct (D&C) has become the default
- Project managers are increasingly shaping project outcomes
- Architects are being pushed into roles that do not reflect their value.
Some practices report stepping away from government work altogether, citing tendering processes that are time-consuming, costly and ultimately unsustainable.
“After 30+ years, we have pulled out of all local and state government work. Project managers have made tendering untenable.”
“The profession seems to be asleep, not combating project management taking over so many of the architect’s traditional roles. And good grief, D&C has got out of hand in regional Queensland. Both just get worse year by year.”
Workforce and capability
As with the national picture, workforce challenges persist. Practices continue to report difficulty finding experienced practitioners, particularly those capable of operating across complex delivery environments. This sits alongside cautious hiring behaviour, reflecting ongoing uncertainty around the work pipeline.
Where opportunity is emerging
Despite these pressures, Queensland also shows areas of opportunity. Respondents point to growth in:
- Social housing
- Health and defence sectors
- Large-scale infrastructure linked to upcoming events.
These sectors are providing important sources of work, although access to them is not always straightforward, particularly for smaller practices.
“Significant increase in demand for social housing projects.”
“Being able to contribute to city-changing projects in Brisbane.”
“Pivot to other allied sectors – e.g. health, defence, aged care.”
Queensland highlights a critical issue for the profession: procurement frameworks are directly shaping the future role of the architect. Without reform, there is a risk that the value architects bring, particularly in design leadership and independent advice, will be progressively diluted.