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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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16 Mar
Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy – Explanation of Intended Effect

HIA commented on the Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy Explanation of Intended Effect (February 2026), a submission to NSW Government.

13 Mar
Review of the Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Regulations 2016

HIA provided feedback on the proposed review of the Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Regulations 2016.

06 Mar
UNINSURED, UNBUILT - how Australia's small business crisis is adding risk and costing us homes

HIA has provided Federal Parliament with our submission, 'UNINSURED, UNBUILT - how Australia's small business crisis is adding risk and costing us homes, to the Small Business Insurance Inquiry currently underway. Our message is clear: the progressive failure of the system is a direct and material constraint on the construction of new homes: it is greatly contributing to homes not being built.

03 Mar
Closing Loopholes reforms

HIA has participated in the ongoing consultation in relation to the Closing Loopholes Review. HIA has strongly advocated for our Members in our submission to the Review by challenging the Federal Government's suite of recent reforms to the Fair Work Act 2009 - you cannot solve a housing crisis with laws that make building harder.

Industry updates

Affordable Building approvals Construction Residential Tax
Interest rate rise risks worsening housing shortage
The Housing Industry Association’s Chief Economist, Tim Reardon, said the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest decision to increase interest rates reflects the ongoing challenge of bringing inflation under control, but warned that h...
Mar 26
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Affordable Apprentice Building developments Construction Planning Residential
HIA: First home grants supporting new builds and local jobs
Standing on a construction site with work well underway, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Tasmania today joined Treasurer Eric Abetz MP in welcoming the impact of the Tasmanian Government’s First Home Owner Grant, recently t...
Mar 26
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Business systems Contractors
New trust rules could change how subcontractors get paid on Government jobs
A proposed WA law aims to scrap Project Bank Accounts and introduce automatic construction trusts for State Government projects over $1.5 million. The reforms promise simpler payment processes - but also tougher, ongoing financi...
Mar 26
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Affordable Building developments Construction Federal government Residential
Tasmania signs on to Help to Buy
Over the weekend, the Tasmanian Government committed to joining the Federal Government’s Help to Buy shared equity scheme, providing a long awaited pathway into home ownership for more Tasmanians.
Mar 26
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Affordable Building developments Construction Residential
Help to Buy on the way for Tasmanians
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s decision to join the Federal Help to Buy Scheme, describing it as a sensible and long overdue step that will help more Tasmanians into home ownership w...
Mar 26
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Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Asbestos Construction Drainage Plumbing Regulations National Construction Code 2025
Introduction of NCC 2025 and lead-free plumbing products
Two significant regulation changes for the home building industry are expected on 1 May 2026.
Mar 26
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Business operations Construction Environment Federal government Election Planning Residential Regulations
HIA leaders meet to shape future housing policy
Last Friday in Adelaide, HIA’s National Board, Regional Committee Chairs and senior leaders met to assess the growing impact of government regulation and ongoing policy change on the residential building industry and how these pre...
Mar 26
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Builder's licence Compliance Construction Licence Plumbing Regulations Residential Waterproofing
ACT Government's plan for trade licensing a step closer with consultation now open
The ACT Government has released a consultation paper exploring the extension of occupational licensing to additional construction trades.
Mar 26
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Affordable Building approvals Building developments Construction Low rise construction Planning Residential
National approach to granny flats to unlock thousands of new homes
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is calling for a unified national framework for granny flats and secondary dwellings to ease the housing affordability squeeze - arguing that we could learn from recent changes in Tasmania to...
Mar 26
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Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Australian Standards Construction National Construction Code (NCC) Planning Residential Regulations
HIA calls for ‘knock-down rebuild’ of the National Construction Code
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has lodged a major submission calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the National Construction Code (NCC), warning that excessive regulation and complexity is slowing the delivery of new hom...
Mar 26
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Business operations Construction Contracts Legal Regulations Residential
Dealing with cost increases under your contract
HIA is aware that industry is raising concerns about price increases to fuel and materials arising from the conflict in the Middle East. To assist members to account and respond to price increases we have prepared information on d...
Mar 26
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Administration Apprentice Construction Residential
Women key to building the homes Australia needs
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is marking International Women’s Day by recognising the growing contribution of women in Australia’s residential building industry and encouraging more women to consider a career in construct...
Mar 26
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