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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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30 Jan
Private Senators Bill - Fair Work Amendment (Right to Work from Home) Bill 2025

HIA provided feedback on the Private Senators Bill proposing to legislate a right for employees to work from home (WFH).

30 Jan
Workforce Development in the Northern Territory

HIA responded to the Workforce Development in the Northern Territory consultation paper.

30 Jan
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act Statutory Review 2025-26

HIA responded to the statutory review of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (QCAT Act).

30 Jan
2026-27 HIA Pre-budget Submission

HIA has provided the Federal government with our 2026-27 pre-budget submission setting out a comprehensive suite of measures to support the industry in boosting the supply of housing, address skills shortages, tax reform and planning system.

Industry updates

Building approvals Building developments Construction Development Approval (DA) Planning Residential Regulations Tax
Legislation passed to overhaul Victorian planning
The Victorian Parliament has passed the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill, which makes some of the most substantial changes to planning and environment legislation since the Planning and Environment Act introd...
Feb 26
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Administration Business operations Compliance Construction Plumbing Regulations Residential Registration Financial planning
Proposed Minimum Financial Requirements for home builders
The Victorian government has released, for public comment, details of the proposed Minimum Financial Requirements (MFR) for home builders to maintain registration. They will be enforced by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC...
Feb 26
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Building approvals Building developments Construction Development Approval (DA) Low rise construction Medium rise construction Planning Residential Regulations
Planning reforms wont see more homes till 2028
“HIA welcomes the passing of planning reform legislation yesterday but claims by the Victorian government these reforms ‘back builders’ and will deliver more homes are premature,” stated HIA Victorian Executive Director, Keith Rya...
Feb 26
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North Qld - Annual Meeting of Members
Our Annual Regional Meeting of Members (ARMM) is set for 25th February 2026 at 7.30am.
Feb 26
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Apprentice Administration Construction Contractors Employee conditions Electrical Licence Plumbing Residential Regulations Workmanship
Supervision requirements for plumbing apprentices onsite
Building Commission NSW has clarified the minimum supervision requirements for plumbing apprentices. These requirements are being enforced from 1 February 2026.
Feb 26
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Administration Building approvals Construction Employee conditions Outdoor Planning Plumbing Residential
HIA urges Council to scrap four day week plan
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) today stood with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) in Launceston, calling on the City of Launceston to cancel its proposed four day staffing arrangement and maintain the f...
Feb 26
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Apprentice Australian Standards Building approvals Building developments Construction Federal government Low rise construction National Construction Code (NCC) Planning Regulations Tax
HIA Budget Submission demands action on housing to boost industry confidence
HIA has lodged its 2026-2027 Federal Pre-Budget Submission (Submission) in the lead up to the Budget to be handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in May.
Feb 26
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Building approvals Construction Renovations Residential
Approvals fall in December, but 2025 finishes on a high note
“The volume of new dwellings approved for construction decreased by 14.9 per cent in the month of December 2025 to 15,540,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon
Feb 26
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Australian Standards Building approvals Construction Federal government National Construction Code (NCC) Planning Regulations Residential Small business Standards
Housing industry welcomes focus on red tape reduction
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the release of a discussion paper by the Federal Liberal Party to put front and centre on the agenda deregulation and a reduction of red tape to boost industry productivity.
Feb 26
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Business operations Compliance Construction Employee conditions Managing staff Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations Safety Small business Working from home Work Health and Safety (WHS) Working hours Workplace policies
Blanket work from home mandates unworkable for builders
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is calling for a proposed Federal Bill creating a legislated right to work from home to be rejected, as it would only add further regulatory pressure on small building businesses already str...
Feb 26
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Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Australian Standards Building developments Construction Condensation Energy efficiency National Construction Code 2022 National Construction Code 2025 Regulations Residential Standards Waterproofing
NCC 2025 preview released
The final content of NCC 2025 has been released today as a ‘preview’ by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) on its website ahead of potential adoption later this year in most states and territories.
Feb 26
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Construction Environment Residential
HIA welcomes Regulators reset on TasWater charges
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has today welcomed the Tasmanian Economic Regulator’s Draft Report decision to require TasWater to recalculate headworks charges on a tighter, more transparent basis, including rejecting conn...
Feb 26
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