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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

Modernising The NCC

The National Construction Code needs to be knocked down and rebuilt from the ground up. HIA has put together a significant suite of transformational recommendations to make compliance easier for residential building professionals.

Explore the regulatory changes we believe will help drive up housing supply and increase affordability for all Australians.

Learn more

NCC 2025

Access HIA’s extensive resource library covering Australian Standards, the latest regulatory updates, adoption dates and how to comply.

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Small Business Conditions Survey

Residential building industry small businesses are resilient but facing significant challenges. Here's how they're faring in 2026.

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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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Housing the Regions

Australians are moving to regional centres. Here's how we can help them build more homes and strengthen their communities.

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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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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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19 Aug
Residential Aged Care Bed Supply Consultation Paper

HIA provided feedback on the Residential Aged Care Bed Supply Consultation Paper.

31 Jul
State-wide Flood Hazard Code Amendment

HIA commented on the proposed State-wide Flood Hazard Code Amendment and welcomes the significant reduction in the application of the Hazards (Flooding – Evidence Required) Overlay through improved flood studies and more detailed mapping.

31 Jul
Minimum tax on discretionary trusts discussion paper

HIA took the following broad position on the Australian Government’s minimum tax on discretionary trusts consultation paper: if Treasury's own analysis concludes these tax measures increase the cost of doing business and require separate policies to offset their effects and offer restructuring relief, it is difficult to justify the objective of implementing this high minimum tax rate on discretionary trusts.

30 Jul
EIE – Standard and model conditions of consent

HIA commented on the Explanation of Intended Effect for Standard and model conditions of consent (the EIE). It is understood the EIE explains the proposed amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy 2021 that will give effect to consistent conditions of consent for residential development across the state.

Industry updates

Building Women Awards Inspiration Construction
Industry Leaders Honoured at HIA SA Building Women Awards
Discover the winners of the 2026 HIA SA Building Women Awards, recognising outstanding leadership, innovation, professionalism and achievement in construction.
Aug 26
2 mins
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Building Women Awards Inspiration Human Resources (HR)
Inaugural HIA Hunter Building Women Awards celebrate industry leaders
The achievements, leadership and contributions of women in the residential building industry were recognised today at the 2026 HIA Hunter Building Women Awards.
Aug 26
2 min
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Apprentice Construction Education Regulations Residential Small business
Victorian government recognises National Skills Week by imposing more red tape on employers
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) condemns the Victorian Government’s decision to progress proposed legislation in Parliament during National Skills Week that would impose new and unnecessary red tape on employers of apprenti...
Aug 26
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Building approvals Building developments Construction Development Approval (DA) Planning Residential
HIA welcomes the adoption of the statewide Community Participation Plan
“The Housing Industry Association welcomes the implementation of a statewide Community Participation Plan,” commented Brad Armitage, Executive Director NSW.
Aug 26
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Affordable Building approvals Construction Forecast Planning Renovations Residential
Australia will build more homes despite policy changes, not because of them
“Despite recent changes to housing taxation and investment settings, HIA expects the number of homes commencing construction to continue to rise in both 2027 and 2028, albeit, slower than would have occurred,” said HIA Chief Econo...
Aug 26
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Business operations Construction Employee conditions Working from home Working hours
Government’s plans on WFH legislation show there’s been no reset in relationship
Premier Ben Carroll offered a range of amendments to the work from home legislation before Parliament during a meeting today with leading Victorian and national employer groups.
Aug 26
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Awards Employee allowances Fair Work Modern award Working from home
FWC’s Clerks Award WFH decision is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Fair Work Commission’s rejection of union-backed attempts to create a mandated right to work from home but says the decision to insert a new WFH clause into the Clerks – Priv...
Aug 26
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Building developments Construction Environment National Construction Code (NCC) Planning Regulations Residential
Regional infrastructure commitment a welcome focus on getting homes built
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Coalition’s commitment to guarantee $1.5 billion for critical housing infrastructure in regional Australia, saying investment in roads, water, sewerage and power is essential to ...
Aug 26
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Building approvals Building developments Construction Residential
Smithton roundtable industry and leaders back more homes for the North-West
Builders, suppliers, tradies, local leaders and HIA members met in Smithton today to talk about one thing: getting more homes built in the North-West.
Aug 26
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Building developments Construction Planning Residential
Cairns needs to get its land shovel-ready for new housing
“The median price of residential land across the Cairns region jumped to $363,750 in the first quarter of 2026, a record high and 41 per cent higher than a year earlier,” stated HIA Executive Director Peter Fry.
Aug 26
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Apprentice Construction Education Residential
HIA Queensland supports National Skills Week launch to build the next generation of skilled workers
The Housing Industry Association Queensland has welcomed the launch of National Skills Week today, highlighting the critical role vocational education, apprenticeships and industry led training plays in building the workforce need...
Aug 26
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Construction Contracts Regulations Residential
HIA wins delay to Domestic Building Contracts amendments
The Victorian government made significant reforms to the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (DBCA) last year. These reforms were due to commence by 1 December 2026.
Aug 26
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