MEDIA RELEASE AND REPORT: Australia’s architecture, engineering, and construction industry leads world on digital transformation yet faces new data control and AI governance challenges

Key snapshot of Australian findings:

• Australian AEC firms report lower average project budget overruns of 9.8 per cent, compared with the global average of 11.6 per cent, with 19 per cent of projects exceeding budgets by just zero to five per cent compared with eight per cent globally.
• 29 per cent of AEC organisations report mostly or fully model-based workflows, compared with 21.7 per cent globally, signalling stronger digital project delivery maturity.
• 64.4 per cent of AEC organisations are very or extremely concerned about data ownership and control when selecting technology vendors, compared with 37.8 per cent globally.
• 32 per cent of AEC respondents report regulatory concerns are the biggest barrier preventing their organisation from gaining value from AI, compared with 24 per cent globally.
• 72.2 per cent of organisations are feeling the financial squeeze from accelerating software and cloud licensing costs over the past year, compared with 65.8 per cent globally.
• 39 per cent of Australian AEC firms say lack of time, not cost or policy, is the biggest barrier to adopting new technology, the highest of all countries surveyed.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 13 APRIL 2026: Australia's architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector is emerging as one of the most digitally advanced markets globally. New research from Revizto, the leading global integrated collaboration platform for AEC, reveals Australia is now confronting a new generation of challenges around data governance, artificial intelligence (AI), regulation, and the capacity to implement new technologies at scale. 

These are among the key findings from the 'Bridging the Gap', Revizto 2026 Digital Design and Construction Report, released today, surveying more than 2,000 industry leaders across major global markets, including 300 Australian respondents out of 2,006 globally, of which 90 are CIOs. 

The research shows Australia is outperforming many global peers in areas such as project cost control and model-based digital workflows; however, organisations are now grappling with the next stage of digital transformation as technology adoption matures.

The survey reveals a sharp rise in concern around control of project information, with 64.4 per cent of Australian AEC organisations reporting they are "very" or "extremely" concerned about data ownership when selecting technology vendors, significantly higher than the global average of 37.8 per cent.

Notably, Australian respondents were far less likely to take a neutral stance on the issue, suggesting data governance is becoming a decisive factor in technology procurement decisions across the sector. 

Jason Howden, chief innovation officer, Revizto and former construction industry practitioner specialising in digital construction and building information modelling, said, "These findings reflect a shift in priorities as digital collaboration becomes central to project delivery.

"Many organisations across the Australian AEC sector have already embraced digital tools to improve coordination and project outcomes. The challenge now is ensuring those technologies can scale across complex infrastructure and building projects while maintaining control of data, security, and governance. As projects become more collaborative and information-rich, ownership and visibility of project data is critical."

This challenge is echoed by Revizto customers addressing complex global projects. Ian Besford, global digital delivery leader at Mott MacDonald, commented: "The most successful projects I've been involved in have been those where, from day one, everyone has taken the time to fully understand the scope and requirements, the options and approach, and worked together to document not just the decisions but the rationale, too. And they maintained that continuity of knowledge through delivery. An informed team - from clients to consultants, contractors, and facilities - all on the same page and working together can avoid many issues at source."

AI opportunity recognised yet governance slowing adoption

The research also found Australian AEC organisations recognise the potential value of AI in project delivery, with only four per cent of respondents saying AI lacks a clear use case, compared with 11 per cent globally. 

However, governance concerns are slowing progress, with 32 per cent citing regulatory uncertainty in Australia as the biggest barrier preventing their organisation from gaining value from AI, the highest proportion of any country surveyed.

Jason Howden, said, "The question is no longer whether AI can deliver value. Australia's AEC industry is grappling with how to deploy it responsibly and meet tightening governance and regulation requirements. The focus is on making sure teams retain control of their data and decision-making processes while still benefiting from the productivity gains AI can deliver."

The survey also found Australian AEC firms are feeling the financial squeeze from escalating software and cloud licensing costs, with 72.2 per cent reporting price increases over the past 12 months compared with 65.8 per cent globally. As digital platforms become increasingly central to project delivery, the findings highlight growing scrutiny from AEC firms around technology pricing, vendor dependency, and long-term control of project data.

Digital maturity delivers strong project performance

Despite the governance challenges, the survey highlights several areas where the Australian AEC sector is outperforming global peers, reflecting an industry entering a more mature stage of digital transformation.

Australian organisations reported lower average project budget overruns, with a mean overrun of 9.8 per cent compared with 11.6 per cent globally, while 19 per cent of respondents reported projects exceeding budgets by just zero to five per cent compared with eight per cent globally.

Australia's AEC industry is also further advanced in adopting model-based digital workflows, with 29 per cent of organisations reporting mostly or fully model-based workflows compared with 21.7 per cent globally.

At the same time, Australian AEC firms are investing in productivity improvements to address workforce and skills pressures. The survey found 46 per cent of Australian organisations are prioritising automation and 46 per cent are investing in upskilling and training, both slightly above the global average. However, 39 per cent of Australian respondents say lack of time is the biggest barrier to adopting new technology, highlighting the operational pressure facing project teams across the sector.

Jason Howden said, "The findings highlight an Australian AEC sector that is moving beyond early digital adoption and into a new phase focused on governance, interoperability, and scalable collaboration. 

"As the Australian AEC industry continues to digitise, the ability to manage project data, coordinate decisions, and maintain transparency across multiple stakeholders is becoming increasingly important. Organisations that can balance innovation with strong governance will be best positioned to deliver the complex infrastructure and building projects shaping Australia's future."

'Bridging the Gap', Revizto's 2026 Digital Design and Construction Report, shows that Australia's AEC industry is delivering some of the most complex infrastructure and building projects in the world currently. 

Jason Howden said, "As projects scale in size and complexity, the ability for teams to collaborate effectively, manage information, and resolve issues early is critical to project success. Platforms such as Revizto let architects, engineers, contractors and owners collaborate in a shared 2D and 3D project environment, helping teams identify issues earlier and improve coordination across complex infrastructure and construction projects."

Revizto's technology is used by leading construction and engineering firms including Arcadis, Laing O'Rourke, BILT, Stantec, and John Holland, to support the delivery of major infrastructure and building projects across Australia, from hospitals and commercial developments to nationally significant projects such as Snowy 2.0 and the Atlassian Tower in Sydney.

The full 'Bridging the Gap', Revizto's 2026 Digital Design and Construction Report can be downloaded here.

About Revizto

Revizto enables the people behind the world's most important structures to do their best work. We connect architects, engineers, contractors and owners to deliver projects on time and on budget. By uniting teams in one shared 2D/3D space across the entire building lifecycle, we drive maximum collaboration and results. From airports to hospitals to data centers, Revizto empowers clients like Jacobs, AECOM, AtkinsRéalis, Skanska, and Stantec to deliver critical infrastructure without risk or waste, for a world that's built to last.

Revizto's technology is built on a gaming engine, making it unbreakable for construction's toughest conditions and most complex projects.It works everywhere teams need it - in the office or on-site, across all devices. Backed by Summit Partners, Revizto is headquartered in Switzerland, where it has been recognized by Deloitte among Switzerland's Best Managed Companies in 2024 and 2025. Revizto has also been named among the FT1000: Europe's Fastest-Growing Companies 2025. The company has team members across the globe.

Image gallery

Logos, product images and spokesperson headshots can be downloaded here. Report content, including launch graphics, GIFs and hero images, can be downloaded here.

Media enquiries 

For more information, or to interview Jason Howden, please contact Recognition PR and Marketing's Kathryn Goater on 02 9252 2266 or kathryn_goater@recognition.com.au.