Builders may be struggling with staff and materials shortages, but a new report shows there are a record 868 cranes operating across Australia’s skyline.

The latest RLB Crane Index shows tower cranes used in high-rise apartment projects increased to 535 and cranes on commercial projects rose to a record 333.

Sydney has the largest number of cranes in operation with 380 working across the region, while Melbourne has 206 and Brisbane 82.

RLB Oceania’s Domenic Schiafone says it shows the continuing resilience of the industry.

Schiafone says the numbers are also high as a result of delays in construction from weather events, shortages of materials and lack of skilled labour.

That, according to Schiafone, can result in major cost issues for builders and developers.

“If cranes providing logistical assistance to multi-storey developments remain on site longer than anticipated due to weather events and supply chain disruptions, the cost of preliminaries increase, causing overall costs to rise.”