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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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14 Nov
Consultation Draft Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Amendment Bill 2025

HIA provided a response to the Consultation Draft Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Amendment Bill 2025 (Draft Bill) and accompanying draft regulations to Building and Energy (WA).

12 Nov
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and six related bills

The Australian Government are proposing changes to reform Australia’s long overdue and much discussed national environmental laws, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

03 Nov
Best Practice Review of the model WHS laws

HIA responded to the Safe Work Australia on the Best Practice Review of the model Work Health and Safety laws Discussion Paper.

31 Oct
Building Legislation Amendment (Fidelity Fund) Bill 2025

HIA responded to the Building Legislation Amendment (Fidelity Fund NT) Bill 2025 (the Bill).

Industry updates

Affordable Construction Planning Residential Sales
New home sales remain at three-year highs
“The volume of new homes sold in Australia fell by 9.0 per cent in the month of October 2025 but remains at a three-year high,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.
Nov 25
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Compliance Construction Environment Planning Regulations Residential Standards
Inquiry into Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and related bills
Opening statement by Simon Croft, Chief Executive Industry & Policy
Nov 25
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Affordable Building approvals Building developments Construction Forecast Planning Residential Renovations Sales
ACT earns wooden spoon in housing rankings
The ACT has earned the unenviable title of ranking last in the nation for housing supply, according to the latest Housing industry Association (HIA) quarterly national scorecard.
Nov 25
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Affordable Building approvals Construction Renovations Residential
Western Australia Crowned Nation’s Leading Home Building Market
Western Australia has broken a decade-long drought to claim the top spot on the HIA Housing Scorecard, marking a significant milestone for the state’s housing industry. For the first time since 2014, WA leads the nation in home bu...
Nov 25
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Apprentice Construction National Construction Code (NCC) National Construction Code 2022 Regulations Residential
HIA welcomes Tasmanias leadership on NCC changes
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has joined Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs Guy Barnett MP today to welcome the Tasmanian Government’s release of legislation to pause changes to the...
Nov 25
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Affordable Building approvals Building developments Construction Forecast Planning Renovations Residential Supply chain
Apartment Construction Cycle Shaping Up for 2026 Recovery
“After years of sluggish apartment construction, the foundations are being laid for a recovery in multi-unit commencements from 2026 onward, according to the latest HIA Forecasts.
Nov 25
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Construction Environment Planning Residential
Dubbo housing under pressure as regional demand outpaces supply
Population growth and internal migration continue to reshape regional Australia, and Dubbo is fast emerging as a housing hotspot under increasing strain.
Nov 25
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Building approvals Australian Standards Building developments
Bushfire Construction Standard (Draft) AS 3959:2025 - Now open for public comment
This second more significant revision of the draft NCC referenced standard AS 3959:2025 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas may affect the way sites are assessed, the determination of Bushfire Attack Level (BAL), att...
Nov 25
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Energy efficiency BASIX Compliance
Home energy ratings trial
The NSW Government is trialling the voluntary disclosure of home energy ratings to help buyers and renters understand how much energy the home might use. As part of this project, work is also being done to explore how BASIX could ...
Nov 25
1 min
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Compliance Construction Contracts Falls from heights Regulations Safety Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Work Health and Safety (WHS)
Major changes to working at heights coming
The SA Government has announced major changes to the Work Health and Safety Regulations that will reduce the current fall height threshold for high risk construction work from 3 metres to 2 metres.
Nov 25
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Business operations Compliance Construction Regulations Residential Small business
Bringing the voice of small business to the fore
Small businesses generate nearly $600 billion of economic activity and are the engine room of the Australian economy.
Nov 25
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Building developments Construction Planning Residential Regulations
Taree builders call for action as housing pressures mount across regional NSW
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) warns that housing pressures across regional NSW are reaching critical levels, as builders and industry leaders gather in Taree for a Regional Housing Roundtable hosted with Nationals Senator...
Nov 25
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