“The rising costs of building a home have meant that low-risk activities could now be covered by WHS requirements intended for high-risk construction work - the falls threshold and construction project value threshold triggering WHS management plans are two such examples,” said Stephen Knight, HIA Executive Director South Australia.

“The NT Government has made a practical decision to ensure the balance between workplace safety and over-regulation remains appropriate. HIA calls on the SA government to do the same.

“The recent reduction in the high-risk construction work threshold in SA is red tape disguised as safety reform, dragging more builders, tradies and businesses into unnecessary paperwork,” said Mr Knight.

“Beyond residential construction, routine tasks such as cleaning gutters or changing a light globe could now require the preparation of a Safe Work Method Statement.

“HIA supports practical safety measures that deliver genuine improvements in workplace safety outcomes, but the focus should be on ensuring workers go home safe at the end of the day, not on more paperwork,” reiterated Mr Knight.

“Additional administrative burdens drive up costs for builders, placing further pressure on housing affordability when many South Australian households are feeling the squeeze from rising living expenses. 

“The Productivity Commission has identified regulatory burden as the most significant factor in diminishing sector productivity and housing affordability,“ he said.

“A recent survey of HIA's small business members found that 56 per cent of respondents has either taken on new staff or redeployed existing staff to deal with administrative or regulatory tasks over the past twelve months. These are resources that should be used to build homes, not process paperwork.

Mr Knight called on the South Australian Government to look at the bigger picture. “Despite the State Government’s commitment to reduce red tape, boost productivity and increase housing supply, it continues to turn a blind eye to the cumulative impacts on business across a range of regulatory frameworks,” he said.

“If the Government is serious about improving productivity and housing affordability, proactive approach must be taken such as increasing the construction project value to align with increases in the cost to build.”