Northern Territory-based construction company DCOH has formally entered the Victorian market through the majority acquisition of Melbourne firm Unlimited Commercial Constructions, marking a significant milestone in the privately owned builder’s long-term national expansion strategy.
The Victorian business will rebrand as DCOH, integrating Unlimited’s local leadership and operational presence with DCOH’s 40-year history delivering major projects across government, defence, education, health, commercial and civic sectors.
The move provides DCOH with an established Tier 1 operational platform in one of Australia’s most competitive construction markets and strengthens its ability to pursue large-scale commercial opportunities nationally.
Strategic Entry into Victoria
Victoria represents one of the country’s largest construction economies, with Melbourne consistently ranking among Australia’s strongest commercial and institutional building markets. However, it is also widely regarded as one of the most competitive and cost-pressured environments, particularly in the Tier 1 and upper Tier 2 segments.
For DCOH, the acquisition offers immediate scale and credibility within the state.
Founded in Darwin in 1987, DCOH has grown into a national contractor employing more than 300 people. The company forecasts turnover of approximately $300 million this financial year, reflecting sustained project delivery across Northern Territory and federal government portfolios.
The addition of a Victorian base provides both geographic diversification and access to a larger pipeline of complex commercial work.
DCOH Chief Operating Officer Lachlan Michell said the acquisition was underpinned by sector alignment and shared operational philosophy.
“Unlimited has built a strong reputation in Victoria and brings experienced leadership with a track record in delivering complex projects,” Michell said.
“The alignment in sector focus and delivery approach made this a natural fit. DCOH brings nearly four decades of consistent performance, disciplined governance and financial strength, providing clients with certainty and confidence in long term delivery.”
From Start-Up to Strategic Partnership
Unlimited Commercial Constructions was founded in 2023 by directors Jen Burridge and Ben Bugeja. Despite being a relatively young business, the company has developed a client base that includes local government, tertiary institutions and private developers.
Its founders bring extensive experience in large-scale commercial delivery, positioning the business to compete in higher-value institutional and civic markets.
Under the new structure, Unlimited will transition to the DCOH brand while retaining its Victorian team and leadership. The integration is designed to maintain local relationships while strengthening financial and operational backing.
Burridge said the partnership would enhance Unlimited’s capacity to pursue opportunities within its core sectors.
“We have built an exceptional team and a strong foundation in Victoria,” she said.
“Partnering with DCOH enhances our ability to pursue opportunities in our core sectors with the backing of an established contractor with long term financial stability.”
Bugeja added that the businesses shared a disciplined, relationship-driven approach to construction.
“Our goals are closely aligned, and we share a disciplined, relationship-driven approach to construction,” he said.
“Being part of DCOH strengthens our financial capacity and delivery capability, giving our clients confidence in continuity and performance.”
Strengthening Tier 1 Capability
The acquisition provides DCOH with what industry participants describe as an immediate Tier 1 operational platform in Victoria. This includes established leadership, local networks, and an active project pipeline.
In construction terms, Tier 1 capability typically refers to contractors equipped to manage large, complex projects with rigorous governance requirements, particularly in government, defence and institutional sectors.
DCOH has established its credentials in these markets in the Northern Territory.
Recent projects include:
- The $200 million Danala Education and Community Precinct for Charles Darwin University
- The $389 million Robertson Barracks Base Improvement Project
- The $150 million Darwin Civic Centre delivered in partnership with the City of Darwin
These projects demonstrate the company’s capacity to manage large budgets, multi-stakeholder environments and technically complex builds.
Victoria’s project landscape presents similar opportunities, particularly in education, health and civic infrastructure, sectors that align closely with DCOH’s existing strengths.
By integrating Unlimited’s local experience with DCOH’s balance sheet and governance systems, the company positions itself to compete for larger packages across state and federal markets.
National Growth in a Competitive Environment
The expansion comes at a time when the Australian construction sector remains under pressure from labour constraints, cost escalation and margin compression. Insolvency rates across the sector have drawn sustained attention over recent years, prompting increased scrutiny of contractor balance sheets and governance frameworks.
In this environment, acquisitions that strengthen financial capacity and broaden geographic exposure are increasingly viewed as strategic risk management measures.
For DCOH, Victoria offers both scale and diversification. The state’s infrastructure and institutional investment pipelines remain comparatively robust, particularly in metropolitan Melbourne and key regional centres.
The move also reflects a broader trend among established contractors seeking to expand interstate through acquisition rather than organic growth alone. Acquiring an existing local business can reduce entry risk, preserve client relationships and accelerate operational capability.
DCOH’s privately owned structure may also provide flexibility in decision-making compared to publicly listed counterparts, allowing it to pursue long-term positioning rather than short-term shareholder returns.
Maintaining Local Identity Within National Structure
A key consideration in such acquisitions is preserving local expertise while implementing national governance systems.
Under the new structure, projects across both the Northern Territory and Victoria will be delivered under the DCOH brand. However, leadership continuity in Victoria is expected to remain intact, with Burridge and Bugeja continuing in senior roles.
This model seeks to combine the credibility of a national brand with the responsiveness of local management.
Industry observers note that in government and institutional markets, both financial backing and local knowledge are critical evaluation criteria during tender processes.
By aligning these attributes, DCOH aims to present a stronger consolidated offering.
Outlook and Implications
While financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, the strategic implications are clear.
The acquisition positions DCOH as a more geographically diversified national contractor, capable of operating in both northern and southern markets. It also enhances the company’s capacity to pursue higher-value projects requiring demonstrated Tier 1 governance and financial strength.
For Victoria’s commercial construction sector, the rebranded DCOH enters as a well-capitalised contractor with a track record in delivering major civic and defence infrastructure.
For Unlimited’s existing clients, the change represents continuity in personnel combined with increased financial backing.
As the integration progresses, the success of the acquisition will likely be measured by the company’s ability to secure and deliver large-scale Victorian projects while maintaining operational discipline.
In a construction market where certainty and balance sheet strength are increasingly valued, DCOH’s expansion signals a deliberate move toward national scale and long-term positioning.
Projects across both states will now be delivered under a unified brand, marking the next chapter in the company’s evolution from a Northern Territory contractor to a multi-state commercial builder.
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