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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

National Construction Code 2025 (NCC 2025)

HIA's significant advocacy push resulted in numerous improvements and concessions to the latest edition of the National Construction Code.

Visit our NCC 2025 hub for the latest updates, resources and adoption dates across states and territories to stay compliant.

Learn more

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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31 Mar
Who is going to build the Macquarie Point Stadium? A Workforce Impact Overview

This HIA workforce impact overview examines how a major, multi year infrastructure project would interact with an already constrained construction labour market. Drawing on HIA modelling, government data and industry insights, the report finds Tasmania’s construction workforce is operating close to full capacity, with limited ability to absorb additional demand without consequences for housing supply, costs and delivery timeframes.

27 Mar
Annual Wage Review 2026

HIA has lodged its submission to the Fair Work Commission's 2026 Annual Wage Review, supporting a 3.5% increase in the national minimum award wage rates, as the maximum the residential building sector can sustainably absorb.

23 Mar
The impacts of potential housing policy settings

Qaive and Tulipwood Economics have been commissioned by Master Builders Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Property Council of Australia and the Real Estate Institute of Australia to investigate the economic outcomes of a set of potential alterations to housing taxation policy settings.

18 Mar
Minimum Financial Requirements

HIA provided a submission in response to the Minimum Financial Requirements: Consultation paper on new regulations to promote financial sustainability in the building industry and the Draft Building Amendment (Minimum Financial Requirements) Regulations 2026.

Industry updates

Affordable Construction Planning Residential
Regional growth exposes need for a dedicated national housing plan
The surge of close to 10 million Australians now living in regional areas has exposed deep and growing cracks in the nation’s housing system, highlighting the urgent need for a dedicated national housing plan that works for region...
Apr 26
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Administration Affordable Australian Tax Office (ATO) Construction Contracts GST Residential
International situation and market impacts update
As we head into the Easter break this year, it is deeply unfortunate that I am writing to you as our industry faces yet another challenging and uncertain time with significant business disruption being faced arising from the confl...
Apr 26
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Affordable Construction Residential Work Health and Safety (WHS)
Cost increases, Minimum Financial Requirements and WorkSafe Enforcement updates
With Easter coming up it is time for an update on fuel price related cost increases, the proposed minimum financial requirements, and also some enforcement activity by WorkSafe.
Apr 26
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Construction Contractors Residential
Stadium Workforce Planning is Essential to Protect Housing Supply
Tasmania can deliver both the Macquarie Point Stadium and the homes the community urgently needs, but only if government adopts a clear and coordinated construction workforce strategy, according to the Housing Industry Association...
Apr 26
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Affordable Building approvals Construction Planning Residential Tax
Approvals rise prior to conflict in the Middle East
“New house building approvals were relatively steady in February 2026 at 9,950, the second highest monthly volume in over three years,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
Apr 26
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Construction Federal government Residential Tax
Tax changes will cripple housing supply and punish renters
Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax would worsen Australia’s rental crisis by reducing the supply of housing and putting upward pressure on weekly rents, Housing Industry Association (HIA) Managing Director ...
Apr 26
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Construction Contracts Fees Insurance Residential Tax
Update on the impacts of the current fuel supply issues
The ongoing situation around fuel supply and pricing is continuing to evolve rapidly. These issues are impacting project timelines and the cost of materials through price increases and fuel or transport surcharges from suppliers. ...
Apr 26
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Apprentice Fair Work Small business Staffing Tax Wages
Wage rise risks breaking housing industry's back
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has lodged its initial submission to the Fair Work Commission's 2026 Annual Wage Review (AWR), calling for a 3.5 per cent increase to the National Minimum Wage - and warning that any higher d...
Mar 26
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Construction Contracts Federal government National Construction Code (NCC) Regulations Residential
Important update on current market impacts
Events in the Middle East are currently having a significant impact on the building industry. Members have reported price increases to HIA across a wide range of building projects and industry services.
Mar 26
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Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Condensation Construction Concrete Installation National Construction Code (NCC) National Construction Code 2025 Non-conforming products Plumbing Residential Regulations Waterproofing
Victoria to adopt NCC 2025 and lead-free plumbing products from 1 May 2026
The Victorian government has announced this morning of two significant regulation changes that will take effect next month, those being Victoria jumping ahead of other states for NCC 2025 and the lead-free plumbing changes, with b...
Mar 26
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Construction National Construction Code (NCC) National Construction Code 2025 Residential
Allan government imposes more red tape on Victorian builders
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is disappointed that the Victorian government has chosen to rush ahead with implementation of the latest update to the National Construction Code – NCC 2025.
Mar 26
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Budget Business operations Construction Federal government Regulations Residential Small business
Builders call on National Cabinet to do no harm amid fuel crisis
Ahead of Monday’s meeting of National Cabinet, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) is calling on Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to provide immediate relief to the housing sector by adopting one simple, budget neu...
Mar 26
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