Construction in the Australian economy - understanding the drivers of productivity

This thesis ultimately explores the factors thought to drive Australian construction productivity such as innovation through research and development investment, and training through change in the number of construction apprentices. Before it was possible to test these factors rigorously, construction productivity was estimated at the national, state and subdivision levels. These productivity estimates were further refined by adjusting for change construction quality and distortion resulting from change in shadow construction activity. This research helps us to better understand how productivity in one of Australia's most significant and highest employing industries - construction, can be improved.