Why Brisbane Facilities Are Quickly Turning to Facility Managers to Manage Their Assets

In today’s fast-paced property landscape, facility management has become an essential service for residential complexes, commercial buildings, and body corporates in Brisbane. Rising maintenance costs, increasing compliance requirements, and the need for operational efficiency are pushing property owners and committees to seek professional Facility Managers (FMs) to protect and enhance their assets.

Without structured facility management, buildings can suffer from high repair costs, legal risks, inefficient operations, and reduced property value. According to the Facilities Management Good Practice Guide, FMs play a vital role in managing buildings throughout their entire lifecycle, from maintenance planning to sustainability initiatives. The Facilities Management Services in Australia Industry Report highlights that the industry generated $11 billion in revenue in 2023, showing steady demand for FM services despite economic fluctuations. Here’s why more Brisbane facilities are turning to Facility Managers to take control of their assets.

1. Managing Compliance & Reducing Legal Risks

Brisbane properties are subject to strict regulatory requirements, including:

• Fire safety compliance – Ensuring fire doors, extinguishers, alarms, and evacuation procedures meet legal standards.
• Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) obligations – Managing risk assessments and safe working environments.
• QBCC and Australian building code compliance – Overseeing essential inspections and certifications.
• Asbestos management, lift servicing, and electrical testing.

The Risk of Non-Compliance: Buildings without proper compliance oversight can face legal penalties, higher insurance premiums, and even liability lawsuits

💡 Example: A Brisbane body corporate was fined $20,000 for failing to update its fire safety plan. A Facility Manager ensures all compliance deadlines are met, preventing costly fines.

2. Controlling Costs Through Proactive Maintenance

Unexpected breakdowns can be a major financial burden. Many facilities operate reactively, only fixing issues after they occur, which results in:

• Emergency call-out fees and inflated contractor rates.
• Shortened lifespan of key assets (HVAC, lifts, plumbing, electrical systems).
• Higher long-term repair costs due to neglected maintenance.

How an FM Saves Money:

• Implements preventative maintenance schedules to extend the life of building assets.
• Identifies and resolves minor issues before they escalate into expensive problems.
• Secures better pricing on contractor services through industry connections.

The Australasian Strata Insights Report states that 16% of Australians live in strata properties, highlighting the growing need for professional facility management to prevent costly infrastructure failures.

💡 Example: A commercial office in Brisbane saved over $30,000 annually when a Facility Manager introduced a structured HVAC servicing plan, reducing breakdowns and repair costs.

3. Increasing Operational Efficiency & Reducing Administrative Burden

Managing a facility involves coordinating multiple contractors, handling tenant concerns, and staying on top of maintenance requests—a time-consuming and often overwhelming process for property owners and committees.

How an FM Streamlines Operations:

• Acts as a single point of contact for maintenance, compliance, and service providers.
• Reduces administrative workload by handling contractor negotiations, work orders, and compliance paperwork.
• Uses smart facility management systems to track asset performance and automate service scheduling.

The Facilities Management Services in Australia Industry Report states that smart building technology, such as automated maintenance tracking and IoT-based asset monitoring, has become a key factor in improving efficiency.

💡 Example: A Brisbane strata complex previously spent 20+ hours per month on maintenance coordination. With a Facility Manager, this was reduced to just a few hours of high-level oversight while the FM handled the daily operations.

4. Enhancing Property Value & Tenant Satisfaction

Poorly maintained buildings suffer from higher tenant turnover, lower occupancy rates, and declining asset value. Brisbane property owners are turning to FMs to protect their investments and attract long-term tenants.

Facility Managers help by:

• Maintaining high property standards, ensuring clean, functional, and safe environments.
• Improving tenant satisfaction by quickly addressing maintenance issues.
• Implementing sustainability measures, such as energy-efficient lighting and water conservation, which increase long-term property value.

According to the Energy Management Good Practice Guide, implementing sustainable energy and water management practices not only improves efficiency but also boosts property value by reducing long-term operational costs.

💡 Example: A Brisbane residential complex saw a 15% increase in tenant retention after hiring an FM to oversee maintenance, security, and sustainability initiatives.

5. Leveraging Professional Networks & Cost-Effective Contractor Management

One of the biggest challenges in property management is finding reliable and affordable contractors. Without industry knowledge, property owners often pay inflated rates or deal with subpar service providers.

How an FM Adds Value:

• Has access to a network of vetted contractors for all maintenance needs.
• Negotiates competitive rates, reducing unnecessary expenses.
• Ensures all work meets quality standards, preventing costly rework.

💡 Example: A Brisbane body corporate was overpaying for plumbing services by 30%. A Facility Manager renegotiated contracts, saving the complex thousands annually while improving service reliability.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Move for Brisbane Property Owners

As compliance demands grow, operational costs rise, and asset management becomes more complex, Brisbane property owners and body corporates are recognising the value of professional facility management.

Hiring a Facility Manager ensures:

• Regulatory compliance with no legal risks.
• Lower maintenance costs through preventative strategies.
• Improved tenant and resident satisfaction.
• Higher long-term property value.
• More efficient daily operations with reduced administrative workload.

At Baker FM, we specialise in tailored facility management solutions for Brisbane properties, ensuring cost-effective, compliant, and hassle-free building operations.

💡 Looking to future-proof your facility? Contact Baker FM today to see how we can help!