North Queensland

• Worked with regional local councils on a review of local planning regulations and housing plans. 
• Worked with Queensland Building & Construction Commission and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on a workforce transition project to help ADF members transition into a career in construction.
• Worked with the Queensland Productivity Commission on a review into the Queensland residential construction sector.

New South Wales

• Successfully launched the landmark Getting Keys in Doors report, with all of HIA’s recommendations accepted and reflected in proposed Planning Act reforms, which will slash planning red tape in NSW. 
• Reinforced the importance of complying development and secured commitment from both sides of politics to enshrine complying development as a core component of the planning system and expand its use, ensuring more fast-track approvals. 
• Influenced a more balanced, incentivised approach to the implementation of Livable Housing through the planning system, enhancing feasibility for industry delivery while encouraging the construction of a broader range of housing types.
• Enabled over 100 completions in the Homes NSW targeted apprenticeship and traineeship program, creating new career pathways for disadvantaged young people and contributing to the industry’s skilled workforce pipeline.
• Delivered a refreshed events program with modernised content and delivery formats, resulting in increased attendance, higher member engagement and stronger value for participants.

Northern Territory

• The NT Government is extending the period for the First Home Buyers $50,000 grant for another 12 months to stimulate the residential construction sector and attract families to the NT.
• The NT Government stood by its promise to fight anti-social behaviour when in office to help make the NT a safe place to live.
• Work was announced and started in the new Holtze subdivision. Civil works are well underway on The Parks community which will eventually house more than 500 families.
• BuildSkills NT is expanding the grandfathering period for an extra 12 months and fully funding the Diploma in Building Construction with HIA. Enrolment numbers have improved as a result.
• Secured ongoing NT and federal government funding to continue delivering training in Certificate II in Construction Pathways to school students and Certificate III in Carpentry to apprentices.
• Secured a partnership with SEDA College for Certificate II in Construction Pathways program in 2026.

Queensland

• HIA continued to work with the Queensland Government on the development of a State Housing Code.
• Successfully lobbied the government to pause the further rollout of Project Trust Accounts.
• Worked with Queensland Treasury on a review of the application of Foreign Acquirer Duty Charges.
• Worked with the Queensland Productivity Commission on a review into the Queensland residential construction sector.
• Successfully lobbied for a pause on the introduction of new fire protection licensing requirements until 2030.

South Australia

• Jail terms removed from proposed building industry penalties increases.
• Continual improvements to the Certificate of Occupancy requirements.
• Advocacy continuing on vehicle parking bill with likely amendments to reduce impact on housing affordability.
• Ongoing representation to government and the opposition on the introduction of new laws to regulate the theft of copper and scrap metal from building sites.
• A review of building indemnity insurance included lifting the monetary threshold for requirement of insurance.

Tasmania

• The government’s announcement not to adopt changes in NCC 2025 or NCC 2028 means we can move ahead without the added burden of further regulatory costs and complexity.
• Expansion of the urban growth boundary will free up more land for residential development.
• Election promises around fast-tracked planning approval, boost to First Home Owner Grant, increasing home equity value caps, etc.
• Securing High-Vis Round 2 funding for delivery of industry qualifications at entry level.
• Continued strategic growth and expansion of YouthBuild with government support to access schools and promote building careers to students through a structured program.
• Highlighting the challenges to social and affordable housing delivery through the Crawford review into Homes Tasmania and a recent campaign aimed at addressing supply failures.

Victoria

• HIA’s influential advocacy helped shape amendments to the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 that will better balance the interests of consumers and home builders.
• We challenged the Victorian Government’s Buyer Protection reforms that introduce a new insurance system and quicker remedies for consumers, without similar improvements for home builders.
• Successfully advocated for planning reforms that will improve planning processes for lower density housing including townhouses, second homes on a lot and smaller subdivisions.
• Following HIA advocacy, secured a further extension of temporary planning provisions for Dependent Person’s Units until 28 March 2026.
• Made impactful submissions to parliamentary inquiries into regional housing supply, secondary student pathways into in-demand industries, and the 2025/26 State Budget.
• Secured an extension to extend the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan apartments and units for a further 12 months. • Compelled the government to clarify that section 10 of the Building Act 1993 can be utilised for home building contracts in place before the new Building Electrification Regulations come into effect in January 2027.

Western Australia

• Smooth NCC 2022 introduction in May following extensive advocacy to delay its introduction.
• Amendment 1 further assisted industry with the adoption of NCC 2022.
• Following advocacy by HIA, a review of the Home Building Contracts (HBC) and Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) (BRSCA) Acts has commenced.
• Additional funding boosts for Group Training Organisations in residential construction.
• Funding places for mature-age apprentices in the residential building and construction to increase capacity.
• Extension of the Construction Visa Subsidy Program providing $10,000 to employers sponsoring skilled migrants.
• Collaborated on the introduction of the $10,000 ‘Build a Life in WA’ incentive for trades to move from the East Coast and New Zealand.

To learn more about how HIA represents our industry go to: Advocacy

First published on 9 December 2025.