ACA Pulse Check 2026 – WA Insights
The Western Australia results, based on 28 responses or 11% of the national cohort, highlight a key national issue, with geography compounding every structural pressure facing the profession. What may be manageable in metropolitan markets becomes significantly more challenging in regional and remote contexts.
The WA results reflect a market where conditions are shaped not only by economic factors, but by geography. Practices report that:
- Workforce shortages are more acute
- Travel and logistics costs are higher
- Access to projects can be more limited.
What’s driving the pressure
Fuel costs are a particular concern in WA, with respondents highlighting the impact on:
- Project costs
- Site visits
- Regional work
These pressures compound existing challenges around supply chain and contractor availability.
“Remote work is already high risk expensive – fuel rise will be disastrous.”
“Regional, so anything that involves transport will go up, and includes impacts on regional clients who may withdraw.”
Workforce and pipeline
Recruitment remains difficult, particularly in regional areas where attracting staff is more challenging. Government work continues to provide a degree of pipeline stability, although reliance on it also creates exposure to changes in public-sector investment.
Where opportunity is emerging
Respondents recognised opportunities linked to:
- Defence and infrastructure investment
- Regional and remote work
- International projects
However, accessing these opportunities is not always straightforward, particularly for small practices. The AUKUS submarine program and defence infrastructure pipeline represent significant long-term work for WA practices with the right capability, but as with Queensland’s Olympics pipeline, access is not automatic, and procurement frameworks matter enormously.