The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its construction work done figures on Wednesday. Construction work done in Australia dropped 2.6% in the first quarter, missing forecasts of a 1.5% fall, after a 2.9% decrease in the previous quarter. The fourth quarter's figure was revised up from a 3.6% decline.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of total building work done fell 1.0% in the first quarter, while engineering work slid 4.2%.

On a yearly basis, total construction work plunged 6.7% in the first quarter.