BESIX Watpac has surged to the top of Australia’s construction sector, recording $3.45 billion in new project starts for 2024—the highest of any contractor in this year’s Construction League rankings, compiled by BCI Central, powered by Hubexo. 

The result caps off a significant year of growth for the company, marking a return to form after a period of internal recalibration. It reflects a sharpened focus on complex public and private sector work across healthcare, residential and infrastructure—areas aligned with Australia’s post-COVID priorities and long-term investment agendas. 

“We are now stronger than ever”, Chief Executive Officer Mark Baker told BCI Central.  

“We’ve only pursued projects where we can use our deep local capability and experience, coupled with our in-house engineering expertise and builder’s mindset to create value.” 

That strategy is yielding results. BESIX Watpac, operating in Australia since 1983, became part of Belgium’s BESIX Group in 2018—which now has more than $7.2 billion work in hand. With more than 40 years of experience in Australia and the backing of global construction giant BESIX, Watpac represents a blend of local insight and international expertise. 

“Our highly experienced Group Leadership Team, with a remarkable 180 years of combined tenure at BESIX Watpac, has been instrumental in guiding the company to one of its most successful eras yet.”

Mark Baker 
Chief Executive Officer
BESIX Watpac

The $3.45 billion in new commencements in 2024 is not just a headline figure. It also signals where the public and private sectors are placing their bets—in resilient, future-focused projects designed to meet demographic growth, sovereign capability and supply chain security. 

Across Australia, BESIX Watpac has strengthened its foothold in regional and urban centres through a series of significant developments.  

In New South Wales, the company is contributing to the state’s long-term vision for enhanced regional healthcare, with construction underway on critical medical infrastructure outside metropolitan Sydney. Further urban work supports improved connectivity around one of the city’s major sporting precincts—underscoring BESIX Watpac’s capabilities in civic and community-oriented construction.   
 
Victoria has seen a similar focus on healthcare and regional growth, with BESIX Watpac delivering emergency department upgrades in fast-growing outer Melbourne suburbs, as well as advanced industrial facilities in key agricultural hubs. These projects reflect the group’s role in future-proofing both public health and food manufacturing networks.   
 
Queensland’s ongoing population boom, particularly west of Brisbane, has driven investment in essential healthcare upgrades. BESIX Watpac is delivering multiple hospital expansions across the state, alongside complex government infrastructure in the youth justice sector. The company’s private sector work in northern Queensland also highlights growing investor confidence in regional food processing and export capacity. 

South Australia is firmly in BESIX Watpac’s sights, with the group commencing work on the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility—a four-bay hangar purpose-built to maintain, repair and overhaul Australia’s next-generation RAAF aircraft, helping reduce reliance on offshore maintenance services. 

BESIX Watpac is also advancing its position in the logistics and distribution sector, with major temperature-controlled infrastructure underway in Western Sydney. These facilities are designed to meet surging national demand for efficient cold chain networks, driven by evolving consumer preferences and a renewed focus on food resilience and security.   
 
Meanwhile, signs of recovery in tourism and hospitality are beginning to translate into real investment. In Adelaide’s CBD, the company has commenced work on a new premium hotel development—reflecting growing confidence in the city’s appeal as a destination for international events and high-end accommodation. 
 
With an eye to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, BESIX Watpac is positioning itself for further major project wins. Baker said the company is actively pursuing contracts for the main stadium, aquatic centre and other Olympic infrastructure—areas in which it has extensive experience. 

“Our immediate sights are set on the new Brisbane Stadium and other major Olympic and Paralympic Games venues”, Baker said.  

“With the best teams, unrivalled experience and deeply rooted subcontractor relationships, BESIX Watpac is ready to deliver certainty for our partners throughout 2025 and beyond.” 

While BESIX Watpac’s size is formidable, its ascent to the top of the Construction League is less about scale and more about strategic discipline. The group remains focused squarely on sectors aligned with national priorities and long-term resilience.  
 
Its number one ranking reflects a business that understands where the opportunities are, and has the capability, backing and focus to deliver them at scale. 

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