Construction Costs
School Construction Cost Planning: Cairns, Australia
Cairns school cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 264.1, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.
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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/AUS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames AU dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/AU.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 2172797). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Direct answer
For early school construction cost planning in Cairns, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Australia construction price-level index of 264.1, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Cairns AUD/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Australia in 2021; it does not measure a Cairns market basket or current school tenders. GeoNames 2172797 records the locality at -16.9237, 145.7661, with snapshot population 153,075. That ranks Cairns 16 of 50 listed places, while Townsville is the nearest listed peer at about 283 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.
What does the 264.1 construction index mean?
The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Australia is 264.1, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that school work in Cairns costs 2.641 times a current world rate.
Which Cairns inputs are known?
The reproducible locality point is -16.9237, 145.7661 (GeoNames 2172797). Its snapshot population is 153,075, ranked 16 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a populated place in administrative area 04. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.
What must a project estimate add?
For a Cairns school project, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.
| Estimate field | Screening record | Project requirement |
|---|---|---|
| National context | ICP 2021 PLI 264.1 | Retain only as dated cross-country context |
| Local AUD/m² rate | Not supplied | Current comparable with named source and base date |
| Area and scope | Gross floor area; scope unresolved | Measurement standard, specification and procurement route |
| Additions | Not supplied | Taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation |
| Review | Automated source and arithmetic QA | Qualified local cost review |
Cairns comparable-location search screen
This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.
| Listed place | Great-circle km from Cairns | Snapshot population | Admin area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Townsville | 283 | 201,313 | 04 |
| Mackay | 591 | 84,333 | 04 |
| Rockhampton | 872 | 81,021 | 04 |
| Gladstone | 959 | 45,185 | 04 |
| Bundaberg | 1,116 | 73,747 | 04 |
| Toowoomba | 1,343 | 142,163 | 04 |
| Darwin | 1,679 | 139,902 | 03 |
| City of Port Phillip | 2,327 | 112,669 | 07 |
Price-level normalization worksheet
For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (264.1 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 2.641; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.
| Input | Recorded value | Release condition |
|---|---|---|
| Target national PLI | 264.1 (World = 100, 2021) | Screening context only |
| Reference construction PLI P | User-supplied from the same ICP classification/year | Must match reference rate country |
| Validated reference rate R | User-supplied | Named source, currency, date, area and scope |
| Local Cairns adjustment | Not asserted | Replace with current local comparable evidence |
| Result status | Screening normalization | Not a budget, quote or tender estimate |
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all construction costs guidance
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Cairns, Australia
- House Construction Cost Planning: Cairns, Australia
- Retail Construction Cost Planning: Cairns, Australia
- School Construction Cost Planning: Townsville, Australia
- All construction costs guidance for Australia
- Climate Design Data: Cairns, Australia
- Daylight & Orientation: Cairns, Australia
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Cairns, Australia
- Solar Shading Design: Cairns, Australia
Sources and method
National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames AU dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 2172797). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
Does the 264.1 index give a school cost per m² for Cairns?
No. 264.1 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Australia, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Cairns AUD/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.
How should a Cairns school estimate replace this screening benchmark?
Collect current Cairns comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.
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