INDUSTRY // BUILD. TECH
Australia’ s digital construction boom has created a new battleground
just how rapidly this concern is escalating in Australia, with 64.4 % of the 300 Australian AEC respondents, out of 2,006 globally, indicating they are‘ very’ or‘ extremely’ concerned about data ownership and control when selecting technology vendors, compared with 37.8 % globally.
Jason Howden, Chief Innovation Officer, Revizto, said: " The findings reflect a growing awareness among Australian AEC leaders that control of project data is becoming a strategic issue as projects become more digital and regulatory scrutiny increases.
" With Australian infrastructure projects operating in highly regulated environments, organisations are thinking very carefully about who ultimately controls the information that drives projects. For years the conversation in construction technology focused on productivity and collaboration. Now, it ' s shifted toward data controls.”
Australia ' s strong focus on data governance reflects the maturity of its digital construction environment. According to the survey, 29 % of Australian AEC organisations now operate mostly or fully model-based workflows, compared with 21.7 % globally.
As Australia’ s AEC sector deepens its Digital Transformation, a new concern is rising alongside innovation: control over project data. New research from Revizto suggests data ownership, interoperability and governance are becoming strategic priorities, as organisations weigh the long-term risks of fragmented platforms against the competitive advantages of transparent, governed digital collaboration.
Australia ' s architecture, engineering and construction( AEC) sector is widely recognised as one of the most digitally advanced construction markets in the world.
Model-based workflows, digital collaboration platforms and integrated project environments are now embedded across major infrastructure and building projects. From hospitals and transport networks to large-scale commercial developments, digital tools are transforming how AEC project teams coordinate increasingly complex work.
However, as the industry moves deeper into Digital Transformation, a new and increasingly critical issue is emerging: the control of project data. Bridging the Gap, Revizto ' s 2026 Digital Design and Construction report highlights
Project performance metrics reinforce the same trend. Australian AEC respondents reported lower average project budget overruns at 9.8 % compared with 11.6 % globally. This indicates that Australia is already moving well beyond early digital adoption. Digital collaboration is now embedded across the project lifecycle, connecting architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and project owners through shared digital environments.
Kurt Brissett, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Built, reinforces the findings. " As a CIO, I see a growing disconnect: we rely on vast amounts of infrastructure data, yet we don ' t always have full control over it. The issue is no longer just where data is stored, but whether we can truly access it, use it effectively and stand behind it when it matters," he said.
Modern AEC projects rely on these environments to visualise projects in 3D, detect clashes before construction begins and co-ordinate decisions across multiple disciplines. Technology platforms create greater visibility across projects and improved decision-making across teams by bringing architects, engineers, contractors and owners into a shared environment where project issues can be identified early and resolved more efficiently. �
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