Haigh, Robert ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5776-0893 and Lu, Yi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6654-1489 (2026) A policy-to-practice translation framework for sustainable construction decision-making in Australia. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment. pp. 1-30. ISSN 2046-6099 (In Press)

Abstract

Purpose This study examines how government sustainability and circular economy requirements are translated into project-level decision-making within the Australian construction industry, addressing the persistent gap between policy ambition and implementation. Design/methodology/approach A comparative review and policy–practice synthesis approach was adopted, integrating policy documents, peer-reviewed literature and industry reports. A structured coding framework was used to analyse sources across five domains: policy type, translation mechanism, lifecycle stage, decision impact and implementation constraint, with cross-case comparison undertaken across Federal, New South Wales and Victorian contexts. Findings The findings show that sustainability outcomes are not determined by policy instruments alone but by the mechanisms through which policy is translated into actionable decision rules. Procurement was identified as the most influential translation mechanism within the reviewed policy and literature sources. Early planning and design decisions were found to exert disproportionate influence on lifecycle carbon and material circularity outcomes. However, industry fragmentation, capability variability and supply chain constraints remain major implementation barriers. Research limitations/implications The study is based on comparative synthesis rather than project-level empirical validation. Future research should test the proposed framework across different project types and international policy contexts. Practical implications The findings highlight the need for policymakers to align sustainability instruments with enforceable lifecycle decision points and for industry stakeholders to strengthen capability in carbon assessment, circular procurement, and compliance delivery. Originality/value The study proposes a novel policy-to-practice translation framework that reconceptualises sustainable construction implementation as a multi-layered socio-technical process and maps the sector’s transition from reporting-based governance toward performance-based regulation.

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