Top of the class: Perth’s ECU City Campus redevelopment cops Australia’s top construction award

The ECU Perth City campus has beaten the likes of Western Sydney International Airport and Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel to win what’s touted as the country’s biggest construction award.

The 73,000sqm development, built by Multiplex, was recognised for transforming the Yagan Square site into Perth’s first inner-city university — catering for about 10,000 students and staff.

Australian Constructors Association chief Peter Colacino said the campus was a worthy winner of the 2026 Australian Construction Achievement Award because innovation, collaboration and building excellence shone through.

“ECU City Campus represents Australian construction at its best,” Mr Colacino said.

“This was an immensely complex project delivered in one of Australia’s most challenging urban environments. The team overcame extraordinary engineering constraints while maintaining critical transport infrastructure and keeping their focus firmly on the end outcome.

“What set this project apart was that it delivered outstanding results well beyond the physical asset. It supported 122 apprentices and trainees, directed more than 95 per cent of project expenditure to Western Australian businesses, and awarded $32 million in work to Indigenous enterprises.

Chair of the ACAA judging panel Tanya Cox said the campus which also beat New Footscray Hospital and the Groote Eylandt Wharf replacement stood out for its consistent excellence.

“What impressed the judging panel was not one standout feature, but the project’s ability to achieve exceptional outcomes across every category,” said Ms Cox.

“The project successfully combined engineering excellence, workforce development, sustainability, innovation and stakeholder collaboration while delivering a highly complex development above critical transport infrastructure.

“The team continually challenged conventional thinking. Through innovative redesign, they reduced structural steel requirements from approximately 6000 tonnes to 2000 tonnes while maintaining performance outcomes and creating substantial cost and sustainability benefits.

“Ultimately, this project demonstrates how Australia’s most successful projects create value not only through the assets they deliver, but through the legacy they leave behind.”

The award was presented following the Foundations and Frontiers Forum in Sydney, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the reforms, innovations and delivery practices already underway to improve productivity and performance across Australia’s construction sector.