Gold Coast, Queensland – Buildsafe, Australia’s premier residential scaffold and height safety provider, is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.
Founded in 2001 with just a few utes, the company has transformed over the last quarter-century into an Australian construction services powerhouse, boasting a massive workforce of over 600 specialists and a national fleet of over 150 trucks, proudly showcasing the brand.
This milestone comes at a time of significant national momentum for the business, following sustained growth across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, and it has recently launched operations in South Australia, helping builders navigate the state’s strict new 2-metre fall regulation changes that took effect in mid-2026.
According to Buildsafe Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michael (Mike) Shipton, the company’s longevity can be attributed to two major elements: a continuous focus on product innovation and developing its people.
“Reaching 25 years is an incredible credit to our entire team and the building partners who have trusted us to secure their sites day in and day out,” said Mr Shipton.
“We have always said that we don’t just drop scaffolding on a site; rather, we provide a complete loop of safety engineering, installation compliance, and digital monitoring via our AI-powered BuildCam site monitoring technology – as well as developing our workforce capability via industry-leading training programs like ‘First Lift.’ That same ‘Buildsafe Way’ that started in Victoria is what now drives our success as we expand across the country.”
Headquartered on the Gold Coast, Buildsafe is Australia’s leading provider of residential edge protection services, safety systems designed to prevent people, materials, or equipment from falling off the edge of elevated work areas, such as roofs, scaffolding, platforms, or open-sided floors.
Its founder, Peter Horton, started the business in Victoria in 2001, before Milton Young and Grant Edwards identified growth opportunities in South East Queensland due to its expanding population and similar residential construction needs.
From very humble beginnings, Buildsafe is now recognised as one of the most innovative companies in its field and now partners with some of Australia’s largest construction companies, including major volume builders including Metricon, Mirvac, Coral Homes, Brighton Homes, G.J. Gardner Homes, Henley Homes, Hudson Homes, and Plantation Homes.
Reflecting on the business’s continued growth and industry leadership, Mike Shipton’s vision for the coming years builds on the foundations of Buildsafe’s quarter-century history.
“The overarching theme for the 25th anniversary is around honouring our legacy, leading our future,” Mr Shipton said.
“Our mission is to continue to provide site safety solutions at the very edge of innovation, while not losing sight of the dedication to the clients who’ve supported us, and the people who’ve made the business what it is today. We want to remain seen as the leaders of the industry for many years to come, and I am excited about the journey ahead for the business as we expand our national presence.”
About Buildsafe
Buildsafe (Buildsafe Australia Pty Ltd) is Australia’s largest supplier of residential scaffold and height safety solutions. Founded in 2001, the company operates nationally from its Gold Coast headquarters with branches across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Buildsafe provides scaffolding, edge protection, fall-arrest and fall-restraint systems, RCD electrical testing, and BuildCam site-monitoring technology to major residential and commercial builders. The company employs over 600 staff and runs a fleet of 150 trucks.
