The Upsides of Outsourcing FM in Australia

Australia’s Facilities Management (FM) industry is evolving rapidly.

With rising operational costs, stricter compliance requirements, and growing demand for sustainable asset care, more organisations are seeing the upsides of outsourcing FM. Instead of relying on overstretched internal teams, businesses are partnering with FM professionals to boost efficiency, reduce risk, and stay competitive.

Valued at over $59.04 billion in 2024, Australia’s FM market underscores the essential role that expert facilities management plays across sectors, from office towers and shopping centres to hospitals and industrial sites. As facility needs grow more complex, businesses are recognising the need for a smarter, long-term strategy to ensure operational stability and regulatory compliance.

In fact, the Australian facility management market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.60% from 2025 to 2032, reaching USD 23.71 billion by 2032. This growth is largely driven by the rising demand for effective, cost-efficient management solutions across multiple industries. More organisations are outsourcing services to streamline operations and improve performance without inflating internal resources.

In this article, we will break down the upsides of outsourcing FM, especially for Australian businesses. We will also tackle how the right partner can help your business perform better, stay compliant, and gain measurable value.
Are you ready to take your facility management to the next level and maximise your operational efficiency?

What is Facilities Management?

Facilities Management refers to the integrated approach of maintaining, operating, and improving the physical infrastructure of a business.

In the Australian context, FM goes beyond simple building maintenance. It involves strict adherence to national and state-based regulations, such as the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, the National Construction Code (NCC), and a growing number of environmental protection policies. Businesses must also comply with mandatory fire safety standards and energy efficiency benchmarks. In addition, there is a need to fulfil the accessibility requirements and tenant obligations.

Failure to meet these requirements can lead to legal penalties, operational downtime, or even the forced closure of a facility.

Effective facility management is not just an operational task, but a business-critical function.
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Why More Australian Companies Are Making the Switch

Australian businesses are under growing pressure to do more with less because of the increasing costs of doing business. Moreover, compliance requirements from agencies like Safe Work Australia and systems such as NABERS are changing. Due to this, managing facilities in-house has become less practical, especially as buildings become more complex.

As a result, many organisations are turning to outsourcing for their facilities management. This approach is now seen as a proactive business strategy, not just a way to cut costs.

Companies are making the switch because outsourcing enables them to streamline operations, reduce fixed costs, and enhance long-term asset value while freeing up internal resources to focus on core business objectives.

The Upsides of Outsourcing FM

There are multiple upsides of outsourcing FM for your business. Such includes:

1. Full Compliance Without the Burden

Australian legislation on building safety, sustainability, and workplace health changes every now and then. Because of this, staying on top of every regulation is time-consuming and demanding. A recent study also found that 90% of businesses agrees with this claim. For many internal teams, this task often falls behind due to limited resources or lack of expertise in interpreting legal documentation.

Outsourcing FM services gives you access to professionals who stay up to date with current laws and proactively keep your facilities ready. They manage compliance checks, documentation, inspections as well as safety certifications. Thus, allowing your team to focus on strategic priorities.

Furthermore, this reduces the risk of non-compliance and safeguards your employees, clients, and reputation. With professional oversight, your buildings meet all legal requirements well before regulators arrive.

2. Better Asset Performance in a Climate of Rising Costs

Asset failure is more than just an inconvenience. In Australia’s current economic environment, it can also be very expensive. Equipment downtime leads to lost productivity, while poor energy performance contributes to higher utility bills. Additionally, inefficient systems can deteriorate faster, requiring more frequent and costly replacements.

Outsourced FM providers use advanced technologies such as IoT sensors, Building Management Systems (BMS), and predictive maintenance tools to monitor asset conditions in real-time. They can identify small problems before they become large ones, allowing for scheduled maintenance that minimises disruption and cost.

This results in longer asset life, lower maintenance costs, and a more energy-efficient facility. In a market where every dollar counts, this level of performance and foresight can significantly improve a company’s bottom line.

3. Integrated Support

Managing facilities requires diverse knowledge in engineering, compliance, budgeting, energy systems, and vendor management. In Australia, the growing push toward sustainability and smart buildings has added new layers of complexity. Businesses must now think beyond reactive maintenance and start planning for carbon neutrality, waste reduction, and technology integration.

Outsourced FM teams are composed of qualified professionals across these domains. They bring decades of experience working with various industries, so they understand the unique needs of your building type and sector.

This breadth of knowledge allows them to provide tailored recommendations that align with both your operational goals and regulatory obligations. Their integrated approach ensures that decisions around asset upgrades, energy use, or lease renewals are backed by comprehensive analyses. The result is more informed planning, better use of capital, and a facility that actively contributes to your business success.

4. Reduced Overhead and Operational Complexity

Staffing a full-scale FM department in-house comes with significant costs. Between recruitment, training, salaries, equipment, and software systems, the investment required can be substantial. On top of this, Australian businesses continue to face a national labour shortage in the trades and technical sectors, making it difficult to find qualified FM personnel even when budget allows.

Outsourcing eliminates many of these burdens. You gain a fully equipped team with proven systems already in place, and you no longer have to manage the day-to-day complexity of scheduling contractors, sourcing materials, or ensuring safety compliance.

Additionally, outsourced FM services can be scaled based on your evolving needs. Whether your business is expanding, relocating, or undergoing renovations, your FM support adjusts accordingly, without the need to renegotiate contracts or hire additional staff. This flexibility helps businesses stay agile and resilient in a constantly shifting market.

5. Greater Agility and Strategic Focus

Facility management is essential, but it is rarely a core function of the business. For most Australian organisations, success is measured by innovation, customer satisfaction, profitability, and growth. Time spent troubleshooting HVAC issues or managing repair schedules detracts from your team’s ability to deliver on these primary goals.

One of the most evident upsides of outsourcing FM is that you free up internal resources to concentrate on activities that directly impact your business outcomes. With the help of external providers, your leadership team can devote more energy to expansion strategies as well as client service.

You can also employee development, while trusted professionals handle the behind-the-scenes work of keeping your physical space running smoothly. This separation of focus leads to better strategic alignment and faster progress toward company goals.

When Is the Right Time to Outsource FM in Australia?

You do not need to be a large enterprise to benefit from outsourced FM. If your business is experiencing any of the following conditions, now is the right time to consider it:

You manage multiple locations or have complex building requirements
Your team is struggling with compliance demands or regulatory changes
Maintenance issues are recurring or costing too much
Your internal FM team lacks capacity or necessary knowledge
You are preparing for expansion, relocation, or downsizing

These signals often indicate that internal systems are no longer sufficient to meet growing expectations. Outsourcing offers an immediate path to improved performance, risk reduction, and long-term value.

Smarter Facilities Management for Sustainable Growth

To fully realise the upsides of outsourcing facilities management, you must work with a team that delivers more than routine support. At DBA Advisory, our Facilities Management service is built on proactive leadership, regulatory excellence, and a commitment to long-term asset performance.

What sets us apart is our multidisciplinary experience. Our team of qualified contract and facilities management professionals ensures all compliance obligations are met with precision. By integrating engineering, accounting, and technical support, we provide strategic, data-informed advice that helps optimise asset health, enhance performance, and strengthen the financial integrity of your property portfolio.

Let’s Talk About Your Facilities Strategy

Whether you’re managing one site or multiple assets across Australia, we can help you take control of your facilities and optimise your operations.

Let’s build smarter, safer, and more efficient spaces together.

Aureen Kyle Mandap, DMP

Aureen is a Content Writer for DBA, and a technical and creative writing expert. She is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional with a strong background in SEO copywriting, content marketing, and social media management. Also, Aureen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and has experience in Human Resources and clinical setting duties.

Aureen Kyle Mandap, DMP

Aureen Kyle Mandap, DMP

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