The facilities maintenance and repair (FMR) sector is a critical, yet often overlooked, partner to businesses and public institutions worldwide. Its function—ensuring the safety, functionality, and longevity of physical infrastructure—is fundamental to a nation’s economic health. As both the U.S. and Australia navigate a future shaped by technological advancement and economic shifts, the FMR industry is adapting with a mix of data-driven strategies and specialized expertise.
The US FMR Market: Tech and Fragmentation
The U.S. facilities management market is defined by its sheer size, its fragmented nature, and its rapid adoption of new technology.
- Growing Market: The U.S. facilities management services market was valued at $37.29 billion in 2024and is expected to grow at an impressive CAGR of 8.16%, reaching $59.71 billion by 2030 (Research and Markets, 2025). A related, broader market for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) in the U.S. is even larger, estimated at $93.17 billion in 2025 (Mordor Intelligence, 2025).
- Technological Integration: The U.S. FMR market is characterized by a strong push for technological integration across commercial, industrial, and retail sectors. From predictive maintenance to IoT-enabled sensors, major players are seeking innovative ways to optimize operations and reduce costs. Businesses are finding that partnering with specialized external firms can give them access to this cutting-edge technology without the massive upfront capital investment required to build in-house capabilities.
- Adapting to Evolving Work Models: The market is being reshaped by broader trends, such as the shift to remote and hybrid work. This requires a different set of maintenance skills to manage a more distributed network of corporate assets, as well as new strategies for modernizing older commercial and industrial buildings.
The Australian FMR Market: Aging Assets and Infrastructure
Australia’s FMR industry is steadily growing, but its primary driver is the urgent need to maintain and modernize public and commercial infrastructure built decades ago.
- Market Growth: Australia’s infrastructure maintenance and repair market reached $122.6 billion in 2024and is projected to exhibit a robust CAGR of 9.80% through 2033 (IMARC Group, 2025). The broader facility management market in Australia is also on a growth trajectory, valued at AUD 59.04 billion in 2024 and forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 4.42% through 2034 (Expert Market Research, 2025).
- Asset Lifecycle Extension: The focus for many Australian businesses and government bodies is shifting from replacing aging assets to extending their useful life. This requires advanced condition monitoring and predictive maintenance skills. Because these specialized capabilities can be difficult to maintain in-house, many organizations are turning to strategic partnerships to access this expertise on demand, optimizing their budgets and extending the life of their assets.
- Government-Driven Demand: A significant portion of the FMR sector in Australia is closely tied to government spending on public infrastructure. As the government continues to fund major projects in transport, utilities, and commercial buildings, the demand for skilled maintenance and repair services remains high.
A Global Outlook
While the U.S. and Australia approach facilities management from different starting points—one driven by private sector tech and the other by public asset preservation—they share a common direction. Both are moving toward a more data-driven, strategic approach to maintenance. For businesses in the FMR industry, success in these markets will depend on their ability to offer specialized, flexible solutions that help clients optimize their budgets and ensure their infrastructure remains reliable.
