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Advocacy

Advocacy

HIA speaks for our national membership across all levels of government. We collaborate with our Australia-wide network of regional representatives to present an informed and united front on the issues that affect you and your business.

What matters to our members

HIA is across the most critical issues affecting residential housing in Australia - right now and in the future. Our five-year strategic plan is about addressing all of these, head-on. Our representatives are heavily involved in committees that cover all these key areas. We are dedicated to ensuring our members’ voices are heard when it counts.

house & building

Housing matters

Supporting the Housing Accord commitment to build 1.2million homes over five years and to ensure there is fair and equitable policy and tax reform for the industry to thrive and grow.

landmark

Affordability

Increase home ownership by removing unnecessary taxes and charges on housing, simplify planning rules, and help more Australians own their own home sooner.

briefcase

Quality & compliance

Ensure home building rules are cost effective, achievable and proportional. Limit the impacts of major changes like those to NCC, WHS, building regulatory systems and sustainability reforms.

business

Let business do business

Navigate changes to rules and regulations, prohibitions on goods and services and highlight materials, labour and skilled worker shortages with a "do no harm" approach.

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What we do

It is important to approach government and industry regulators with a solid understanding of the biggest challenges we face. HIA experts work hard to develop qualitative and quantitative research and create powerful and data-driven campaigns that demonstrate why change is necessary.

Explore some of our high-profile endeavours

Housing the Regions

Australia’s current population of 27 million people has historically been concentrated in the major capital cities. Over the past five years this has shifted. Now one third (8.5 million) of Australians live in regional Australia.

Millennials are now the largest cohort buying property in regions outside capital cities. Here's how we could help Australians in the regions build more homes and strengthen communities.

Read more

One House, One Approval

A refreshed and simplified pathway to deliver one approval for the construction of a single house on a block of land zoned for housing.

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Taxation's major impact on housing

HIA engaged the Centre for International Economics (the CIE) to undertake a review of taxes, fees and charges on new housing and apartments.

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Missing Middle Housing Report

We must explore gentle density housing solutions including more townhouses, micro-lot houses and triplexes in existing populated areas. Review the report.

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HIA Planning Blueprint Scorecard

HIA's Planning Blueprint Scorecard grades the planning system of each state and outlines key areas of improvement to achieve the Accord target of 1.2 million homes.

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All Hands on Deck: Construction workforce requirements report

Trade shortages loom as a major threat to the Housing Accord’s target of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years.

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Pre-fab and modular construction

HIA's final report identifies the regulatory barriers for off-site construction in housing. These barriers can be time consuming and costly, resulting in inconsistent outcomes for industry and consumers.

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Ban on engineered stone

Our expert guidance on how to understand the engineered stone ban and minimise the health risks of silicosis. Learn more about how we’ve helped the industry deal with this huge regulatory change.

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The changing voice of the construction industry

The construction industry has become more culturally and linguistically diverse. However, the industry is still lagging other industry sectors when it comes to attracting skilled migrants.

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NCC 2022 changes

We’ve been working hard for our members to minimise the outcome of NCC 2022 changes that have impacted the residential building industry. Explore the latest changes and updates to the National Construction Code.

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How it works

Your voice, heard

Our service committees consult with members in their region about their evolving challenges and opportunities from the frontlines of the industry - what's really going on, on-site and beyond.

Our priorities, aligned

Local representatives join forces at the HIA National Policy Congress and work together to reach common ground so HIA can approach government and regulators from a position of power.

Expert research and development

HIA experts collate national data from our members, conduct research, and lead investigations into the factors contributing to what needs to be addressed, strengthening our stance.

Present to government

We present formal submissions on issues including the Budget, workplace diversity, migration, sustainability, new planning and approval rules, and much more.

The ultimate goal of HIA's advocacy is to initiate meaningful change on behalf of our members. We advocate for significant government policy and regulation amendments that benefit you as part of the residential building industry.

How the National Policy Congress represents you

Our national committees communicate their region's position on building industry issues at HIA's National Policy Congress (NPC). This annual event brings the Association's industry leaders together to create better outcomes for our members and set the direction of HIA's advocacy going forward. 

We develop position (policy) statements from these robust NPC discussions that represent our members' majority outlook on Australian building regulations, home ownership, business compliance and operations, and emerging key policy issues.

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What we present to government

HIA's latest responses to government policy around the housing industry, plus the latest news and economic forecasts for the sector. We submit these consistently throughout the year, ahead of and in response to what’s happening everywhere across Australia, from the regions to the highest level of government.

Latest submissions
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18 Feb
Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies for Proposed Practice Direction Updates

HIA provided a response to the Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies for Proposed Practice Direction Updates.

16 Feb
Work health and safety ‘construction project’ value

HIA supports continued improvements in safety for all persons involved in the residential building industry and actively work with our members to assist in understanding the work, health and safety (WHS) requirements.

13 Feb
Interim Report on the Independent Review of Employee Representatives

HIA’s letter in response to the Interim Report on the Independent Review of Employee Representatives in Victoria

10 Feb
HIA 2026 Small Business Conditions survey

The HIA 2026 Small Business Conditions survey shows that while small builders remain resilient, they are facing significant challenges heading into 2026.

Industry updates

Business operations Construction Environment Insurance Outdoor Residential Small business
Crackdown needed as site theft adds to builders' insurance burden
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s move to crack down on copper and scrap metal theft, warning that construction site theft is adding to the risk that insurers are pricing into premiums ...
Feb 26
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Affordable Building developments Construction Development Approval (DA) Environment Outdoor Planning Residential Stormwater
Infrastructure funding must drive new housing supply in Queensland
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Queensland Government’s continued investment in enabling infrastructure through Round 2 of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, but the funding must be tightly targeted to...
Feb 26
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Affordable Administration Budget Building developments Construction Federal government Owner-builder Regulations Residential Tax
Lifting taxes won’t get more homes built
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) will be sending a simple message to the inquiry into Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on residential property when it appears before the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Disc...
Feb 26
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Apprentice Compliance Construction National Construction Code (NCC) National Construction Code 2022 Planning Regulations Residential Small business
HIA welcomes Tasmanian Governments leadership on NCC pause
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has today welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s finalisation of the Building Amendment Bill 2026, ahead of its imminent introduction to Parliament. The Bill will formally pause further implemen...
Feb 26
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Business operations Construction Employee conditions Managing staff Planning Working hours
HIA welcomes new approach on Launceston Council staff hours
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) today welcomed the City of Launceston’s decision to take its proposal to reduce ordinary working hours to 30.4 hours per week off the table at this time, recognising the importance of maintai...
Feb 26
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Building approvals Construction Development Approval (DA) Environment Planning Residential Strategic planning
Planning Scorecard reveals standout reformers amid housing target shortfall
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has today released its 2026 Planning Blueprint Scorecard, revealing a growing divide between states embracing bold reforms and those stuck in a ‘business-as-usual’ approach.
Feb 26
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Affordable Construction Planning Residential
Land prices a massive constraint on home building in Victoria
“Over the last 25 years, the price of the typical new residential lot of land in Victoria has risen more than four times faster than construction costs,” stated HIA Executive Director Keith Ryan.
Feb 26
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Administration Affordable Business operations Construction Regulations Residential Small business
HIA survey regional small builders warning housing shortages will worsen
Small building businesses in regional Australia are warning that housing shortages will deepen unless governments address planning delays, workforce shortages and rising compliance costs, according to the HIA 2026 Small Business C...
Feb 26
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Apprentice Business operations Contractors Education Financial planning Residential
Government incentives essential to support skills trade training
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the release of the new data showing a steady uptake of incentives under the Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP), which each represent a future skilled trade in the home building ind...
Feb 26
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Affordable Building approvals Construction Residential Tax
Land is the number one constraint on home building in Australia
“Over the last 25 years, the price of the typical new residential lot of land has risen more than three times faster than construction costs,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.
Feb 26
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Construction Financial planning Residential
HIA calls to abolish proposed Minimum Financial Requirements
Last week, the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) released details of proposed minimum financial requirements (MFRs) for home builders that are scheduled to commence from 1 July 2026.
Feb 26
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Construction Residential
HIA welcomes appointment of interim Homes Tasmania CEO
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) today welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s announcement that Mr Ben Wilson has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of Homes Tasmania, stepping down from his role as Chair of the Hom...
Feb 26
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