{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA Tradepass Advertise jobs Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

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.

{{ propApi.text }}
$vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

Election Imperatives

HIA sets out the key issues we believe an incoming government must address if we are to sustain the benefits of stronger new home building activity.

Let’s Build Australia

{{ truncate("As we head towards the next Federal Election the delivery of housing for all Australians in cities and our regions must be a priority.") }}

Tell me more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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

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. The findings of the 2025 report provide some sobering reading on the impact government taxes, fees and charges are having on housing supply and affordability.

Read more

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.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

One house, one approval

Trying to navigate the development approval systems for housing has become a challenging process. Find out how HIA is tackling this issue by calling on all levels of government to commit to change.

Read more $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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.

{{ propApi.text }}
$vuetify.icons.faArrowRight

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
View all $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
23 Apr
Review of Occupational Licensing (CPD) Determination 2018 (Tas)

HIA responded to the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services request for stakeholder feedback on the Occupational Licensing (CPD) Determination 2018.

10 Apr
HIA 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission

The Victorian Housing Industry Association (HIA) takes this opportunity to make a submission ahead of the 2025-26 State Budget.

09 Apr
Inquiry into the supply of homes in regional Victoria

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is Australia’s only national industry association representing the interests of the residential building industry, including new home builders, renovators, trade contractors, land developers, related building professionals, and suppliers and manufacturers of building products.

09 Apr
Noise induced hearing loss strategic review consultation brief (SA)

HIA provided feedback on the ReturntoWorkSA Noise Induced Hearing Loss – Strategic Review Consultation Brief, dated February 2025 (Consultation Brief).

Industry updates

Apprentice Affordable Building approvals Construction Contractors Residential Tax
Low volume of home building but labour shortages linger
“Australia has just seen its two weakest years of new home commencements in over a decade, meaning these ongoing shortages of skilled trades are not being caused by home building activity,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon....
May 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Affordable Building approvals Construction Residential Tax
Building approvals strengthen in March quarter
“There were 48,620 new homes approved for construction in the first quarter of 2025, up by 20.8 per cent on a year earlier,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
May 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Apprentice Building approvals Construction Election Planning Residential
New Government must put housing as first order of business
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) calls on the newly elected Federal Government to make housing a first-order priority from day one, any delay or political grandstanding will only deepen the nation’s housing crisis,” HIA Man...
May 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building approvals Building developments Construction Environment Planning Residential
Funding infrastructure at Mount Peter vital for housing boost NQ
“A strong pipeline of new shovel-ready residential land at Mount Peter is fundamental to putting downward pressure on housing prices across the entire region,” said HIA Executive Director North Queensland, Peter Fry.
May 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building approvals Building developments Construction Insurance Low rise construction Medium rise construction Residential
HIA wins 12-month pause to strata building bond increase (NSW)
An increase of the strata building bond from 2 per cent to 3 per cent was due to take effect from 1 July 2025. In a win for the multi-residential construction industry, HIA has been advised that this increase will be deferred for ...
May 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Affordable Apprentice Barriers Construction Education Election Environment Planning Residential Tax
Federal Election 2025
With housing being prioritised as a key issue in the 2025 Federal Election, both major parties have made a raft of announcements in the lead up to Saturday’s election to boost housing supply.
Apr 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building Women Education Residential
‘She Builds The Future’ inspiring young Tasmanians to build their dreams
HIA and MiTek have joined forces to launch She Builds The Future – a program designed to inspire, educate and promote diversity in the residential building industry.
Apr 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Funding to fast-track trades qualification can help get more homes built quicker
“Today’s announcement from the Labor Government of $78 million in funding to fast track the qualification of up 6,000 tradies is an important initiative which will help get more homes built quicker,” said HIA Managing Director, Jo...
Apr 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Can the Feds lower housing costs faster than states can increase them?
“As Prime Minister, how would you stop state governments from continuing to increase the taxes on new home building and adding additional red tape?”, asked HIA’s Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.
Apr 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Changes to experience requirements for commercial builders
Interested in obtaining your commercial building licence? You may benefit from recent changes to the experience requirements.
Apr 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Compliance Construction Environment Fencing Inspections Outdoor Residential
Easter & ANZAC long weekends | Site security and shutdown tips
As we head into the Easter and ANZAC long weekends, the team at HIA wishes you a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved break with your loved ones.
Apr 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Apprentice Construction Residential
Technical Training Colleges important step to boost tradie numbers
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Coalition to commit $260 million to build a new national network of Australian Technical Colleges to target boosting our industry’s critical trade shorta...
Apr 25
Read full article $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight