The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says builders, designers and certifiers are being asked to comply with a new regulatory framework in just days, without the basic tools required to do so.

“Even if NCC 2025 only applies for a matter of weeks, this is still live law from Friday,” said HIA Tasmania Executive Director Benjamin Price.

“The reality is industry has been left guessing. We still have not seen Tasmania’s state based variations published for a code that technically starts in two days. That is simply not good enough.”

The uncertainty follows delays in the passage of the Building Amendment Bill 2026, which is intended to pause the commencement of NCC 2025 in Tasmania. While the Bill has passed the House of Assembly, it has not yet been considered by the Legislative Council, meaning NCC 2025 will commence by default from 1 May.

Mr Price said while transitional provisions in the Building Act exist, they are not a substitute for clear, timely regulatory guidance.

“Builders are making commercial, contractual and compliance decisions right now. They need certainty, not silence,” he said.

“We are seeing genuine confusion on the ground about which standards apply, what constitutes substantial design progress, and how regulators will interpret compliance during this interim period.”
HIA warned that the current situation risks inconsistent decision making, project delays and unnecessary cost at a time when the construction sector is already under pressure.

“This could have been managed with earlier communication, published variations, and clear regulator engagement,” Mr Price said.

“HIA continues to call for regulatory certainty, stable transition arrangements, and common sense implementation that does not punish industry for delays outside its control.”

HIA will continue engaging with Members of the Legislative Council and is hosting a member webinar to provide practical guidance ahead of the commencement date.

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