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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

Small Business Conditions Survey

HIA surveyed the residential building small business community to learn what's happening right now for small builders - the cohort responsible for most new homes built in Australia. While they remain resilient, they are facing significant challenges.

Learn about how small business operators are building their teams, navigating planning approvals, compliance and substantial red tape and how they need to be supported to reach the Housing Accord's goal of 1.2 million homes over five years.

Find out more

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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26 Feb
2026-27 Budget Submission to the ACT Treasury

HIA provided the 2026-27 Budget submission with key objectives and recommendations to the ACT Treasury.

18 Feb
Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies for Proposed Practice Direction Updates

HIA provided a response to the Discussion Paper on Inspection Policies for Proposed Practice Direction Updates.

16 Feb
Work health and safety ‘construction project’ value

HIA supports continued improvements in safety for all persons involved in the residential building industry and actively work with our members to assist in understanding the work, health and safety (WHS) requirements.

13 Feb
Interim Report on the Independent Review of Employee Representatives

HIA’s letter in response to the Interim Report on the Independent Review of Employee Representatives in Victoria

Industry updates

Builder's licence Compliance Construction Contractors Electrical Falls from heights Inspections Plumbing Regulations Residential Safety Work Health and Safety (WHS)
SafeWork and Building Commission NSW could visit at any time
A reminder that SafeWork and Building Commission NSW are on the ground visiting residential construction sites every day to check safety and compliance.
Feb 26
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Construction Development Approval (DA) Environment Planning Regulations Residential
Senate Inquiry EPBC Reform Implementation
Opening statement by HIA Chief Executive Industry & Policy, Simon Croft
Feb 26
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Affordable Apprentice Building approvals Construction Development Approval (DA) Planning Regulations Residential Variations
HIA calls for bold housing reforms in 2026–27 ACT Budget
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has called on the ACT Government to use the 2026/27 Budget to reset the Territory’s approach to housing supply, land release and business competitiveness, warning that current policy settings...
Feb 26
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Budget Building developments Construction Environment Federal government GST Planning Regulations Residential Small business Tax
HIA warns against tax changes at Senate hearing
HIA appeared this week before the Senate Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Discount and delivered the simple message - you don’t fix a housing shortage by taxing housing harder.
Feb 26
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Building developments Construction Development Approval (DA) Planning Residential
Boost to Home Guarantee cap gives Territorians a fair go to build
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to lift the Home Guarantee Scheme property price cap in Darwin from $600,000 to $750,000
Feb 26
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Building developments Construction Environment Insurance National Construction Code (NCC) Planning Residential Regulations Small business Working hours Workplace policies
A strong start to 2026
HIA has been working hard for you and your business to ensure the year begins with clear wins for the building industry.
Feb 26
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Affordable Construction Planning Residential Tax
Short Stay Levy must not be used to undercut new housing supply
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says that while new taxes and levies are never a good solution to housing challenges, if the Tasmanian Government proceeds with a Short Stay Levy, the revenue must be used to build more homes...
Feb 26
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Apprentice Affordable Building approvals Construction Development Approval (DA) Education Low rise construction Medium rise construction Planning Residential
SA housing push welcome, delivery now the test
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the recent announcements by the State Government regarding its commitment to housing and construction training.
Feb 26
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Affordable Construction Planning Residential
Victorian Planning System gaining momentum – but there’s plenty more to be done
Victoria’s outdated planning system has shown improvements, according to the Housing Industry Association’s 2026 Planning Blueprint Scorecard released last week, but still lags other states that are pursuing bold reform.
Feb 26
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Affordable Budget Construction Environment Federal government GST Planning Regulations Residential Tax
Senate Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount
Opening statement by HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.
Feb 26
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Affordable Construction Residential Tax
Sales of new homes jump in January
“Sales of new homes increased by 19.3 per cent in the month of January 2026, marking a strong start to the year and reinforcing the steady growth in sales observed over the previous twelve months,” stated HIA Senior Economist Maur...
Feb 26
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Business operations Construction Environment Insurance Outdoor Residential Small business
Crackdown needed as site theft adds to builders' insurance burden
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s move to crack down on copper and scrap metal theft, warning that construction site theft is adding to the risk that insurers are pricing into premiums ...
Feb 26
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