The Ai Group Industry Index for Australia’s construction sector dropped 26.9 points to -38.1 in June 2026, its lowest level since March and a clear indication of sharply worsening business conditions. New orders fell heavily as recent tax changes dampened customer demand, leading many clients to postpone projects and prompting some firms to reconsider their staffing requirements. Businesses also adopted a more cautious stance on investment, deferring capital expenditure in response to heightened economic uncertainty and a weaker pipeline of work. Overall, the survey indicates that the sector continued to struggle with subdued activity, as rising costs, policy uncertainty, and soft demand eroded confidence.