What’s top of mind for Facility Managers in 2025?
Key insights from the 2025 Voice of the Facility Manager report for Australia and New Zealand
Facilities management (FM) in Australia and New Zealand is undergoing a major shift. Once seen as a behind-the-scenes function, the role of the Facility Manager is now firmly positioned at the heart of workplace strategy. According to the 2025 Voice of the Facility Manager industry report, facility professionals are influencing everything from employee wellbeing to energy efficiency and digital transformation.
In the following article, we explore some of the biggest trends redefining the industry this year.
Table of contents:
- The job just keeps getting bigger
- Despite the pressure, Facility Managers still love what they do
- Technology is critical, but fragmented systems are holding people back
- Contractor management is still the number one challenge
- The future is smart, data-driven and sustainable
Voice of the Facility Manager Report ANZ Edition
Discover the key trends and challenges shaping the FM industry in 2025.
The job just keeps getting bigger
If you’re a Facility Manager, chances are you’re feeling the stretch. Nearly nine in ten facility professionals say their responsibilities have grown over the past three years, and 94% are now clocking overtime. That’s a big jump from 2023, when only two-thirds were regularly working beyond contracted hours.
While job satisfaction remains high, there’s a clear resource gap. Only a third completely agree with the statement “I have the tools I need to do my job effectively”.
Despite the pressure, Facility Managers still love what they do
One of the standout findings is that three in four Facility Managers would recommend the profession to others. Flexibility and job enjoyment scored well, despite the rise in workload. But the report also highlights a looming challenge: the median age of FMs is 49, and only 24% of the workforce is female. To build a sustainable pipeline of talent, the industry needs to do more to attract younger and more diverse professionals.
“There is a need to attract a younger and more diverse workforce who embrace change and technology. Traditional pathways to FM no longer reflect the role and client demands.” Survey respondent
Technology is critical, but fragmented systems are holding people back
The majority of Facility Managers are using some form of FM software, but nearly half are still juggling multiple platforms. While tools are evolving to include compliance and contractor management functions, many teams remain caught between digital transformation and outdated processes.
AI adoption is on the rise too, with nearly a third of FM professionals introducing AI tools in the past 18 months. While some are starting small, there’s growing interest in more advanced applications like predictive maintenance and energy optimisation. With the right support and upskilling, these technologies could be game-changers for operational efficiency.
Contractor management is still the number one challenge
Managing contractors remains the top challenge across Australia and New Zealand. Despite this, less than half of FM professionals are using contractor management software. With workloads climbing, this disconnect is contributing to unnecessary admin and bottlenecks.
Energy management is an untapped opportunity
While 30% of Facility Managers consider energy management essential, only 20% are using energy software today. This presents an opportunity to reduce operational costs, improve building performance and meet sustainability goals, especially as energy ratings become a bigger focus for tenants and investors.
The future is smart, data-driven and sustainable
Looking ahead, most FM professionals agree that technology and data will define the next phase of the industry. Respondents identified smart buildings, remote monitoring, and IoT as top areas of opportunity. Sustainability is also front and centre, driven by regulatory shifts, market expectations and the need to future-proof assets.
Facilities management is evolving into a more strategic, tech-enabled function that balances cost, compliance, experience and carbon. Facility Managers are no longer just keeping the lights on — they’re helping shape smarter, healthier and more productive spaces.
Download the full report
The Voice of the Facilities Manager: Australian and New Zealand edition includes many more insights and actionable solutions for the FM sector.
Voice of the Facility Manager Report – 2025 Australian & New Zealand Edition
The role of the Facilities Manager is ever-evolving. From the adoption of new technologies like AI to the need to adapt practices to suit today’s more flexible building usage requirements, Facilities Managers are being asked to balance numerous respo…
