RLB CRANE INDEX®

The previous 24 editions of the RLB Crane Index^® have provided valuable insights into the construction industry in Australia. The Index is an indicator of the construction industry’s activity and workload, including:

• Tracking Construction Activity: The Index has consistently monitored the number of cranes on construction sites, reflecting the level of primarily vertical construction activity across the country.
• Economic Indicator: By correlating crane numbers with construction activity, the Index serves as an economic indicator, used by the public and private sectors alike.
• Regional Insights: The Index provides detailed regional data throughout key cities in Australia, highlighting the movement of construction activity in each.
• Sector Analysis: Differentiating between residential and selected non-residential sectors allows for valuable insights into trends emerging from crane movements within each sector.
• Project Highlights: The Index also highlights major projects within key regions.

Since the first edition in Q3 2012, the RLB Crane Index^® has been instrumental in providing a simple and clear picture of the construction landscape in Australia, helping stakeholders make informed decisions.

The RLB Crane Index^® fell by one index point to 203 points in Q3 2024. The index value of 203 points is equivalent to 863 cranes across the country, down slightly from the record high of 882 reached 12 months ago in Q3 2023. Despite this slight dip, crane numbers across the country remain high.

In the last six months, 257 new cranes were added to new projects, and 263 cranes were removed from buildings nearing completion. With six less cranes dotting the skyline, the number of cranes across the major cities is now the third highest recorded.