{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research and analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) Solutions for your business Contracts Online Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Industrial relations
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 Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
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

Australian Standards

This policy sets out HIA’s position on the development of Australian Standards by Standards Australia and HIA’s involvement in the development of those standards. The policy also sets out HIA’s position on the regulatory scrutiny that standards should undergo and the need to limit the development and adoption of standards which are not called up by the BCA.

HIA's Position Statement

  1. All standards to be referenced in the National Construction Code (NCC) must undergo a comprehensive regulatory impact assessment by the Australian Building Codes Board to prove a demonstrable need for the standard and a positive cost benefit to building owners.
  2. New standards should be developed according to the COAG principles for good regulatory practice.
  3. The decision to develop a standard should be made at arm’s length from Standards Australia, reflecting a strong demonstrable need and industry-wide consensus. 
  4. Standards Australia must accept greater accountability for standards, ensuring appropriate cost/benefit analysis and public consultation, as part of their development.
  5. The separation of the public good and commercial operations of Standards Australia and SAI Global must be effective. Standards Australia should not be driven by commercial returns. 
  6. Government funding for the development of any ‘public good’ standards should be provided to ensure that all interests are appropriately considered.
  7. Australian Standards should be accessible at no cost or at no more than marginal cost, as has been general practice with all other Australian legislation.
  8. Compliance with a referenced standard should be a defence in court or tribunal proceedings. Reliance on standards that are not referenced in regulation or not agreed to as part of the building contract should not carry weight in building disputes. 
  9. The Australian Building Codes Board should provide direction to all state administrations and local government, on the position of unreferenced standards in building regulation. 
  10. That relevant government agencies for building administration should support an industry managed solution to provide clear guidance on the interpretation and application of Australian Standards called up by the NCC, and to assist in removing inconsistent interpretations.

Background 

  • Standards Australia have developed several thousand Australian Standards, which have been published by SAI Global, with many standards now relied on as black letter regulation and de facto regulation. 
  • The National Construction Code (NCC) calls up over 1,400 standards through primary, secondary and tertiary references.  
  • Businesses are obliged to comply with all these standards. The flood of standards places a heavy compliance burden on builders and contractors. With the average cost of individual standards being well over a $100 each the ongoing costs of purchasing standards is a significant impost on the building industry, particular given that standards are continually updated and new versions becomes the new regulations that must be adhered to. Standards should be readily available to the small businesses which need them.
  • State and local government planning and building regulations reference Australian Standards not called up by the NCC in an ad hoc manner and without regulatory impact assessment in accordance with COAG principles for good regulation. 
  • There has been a trend towards using unreferenced standards as de facto regulation. Courts and building tribunals appear to be increasingly relying on failure to comply with standards as a cause of action, despite the standard not being referenced in the NCC.
  • For many years, Australian Standards provided cost effective technical guidance for industry, reflecting industry practice.
  • Recently standards have become de-facto building regulations, aimed at driving ‘best practice’ outcomes, with little regard for the cost impact on housing affordability.
  • With the creation of Standards Australia as a private company, its public good role appears to have been overshadowed by the commercial pressure to recover costs, leading to more and more standards being produced.  
  • The enthusiasm for ‘best practice’ standards sits uneasily with minimum effective regulation. It is contrary to Standards Australia's obligations under its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commonwealth which requires the company to develop minimum effective solutions. It conflicts with the objective of the NCC to set minimum acceptable technical requirements for ensuring the health, safety, amenity and sustainability of new buildings.  
  • The status of draft standards and standards published out of sequence with the NCC is causing confusion in the industry. HIA is firmly of the view that only standards referenced in the NCC should be legally enforceable. It is unreasonable to expect builders and contractors to be aware of unreferenced or draft standards.
  • The ability for the building industry to get advice on the application of referenced Australian Standards is currently lacking which adds to inconsistent interpretations across jurisdictions and local government areas.

Policy endorsed by HIA National Policy Congress: May 2006; Amended 2007; Re-endorsed with amendments 2013 and 2018.

Share with your network:
More articles on:
{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!
HIA Advocacy
View all $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
08 Jul
National Urban Policy Consultation Paper

HIA provided a submission to the National Urban Policy – Consultation draft and note that the development of the Policy aims to outline the Government’s goals and objectives to enable urban areas to be liveable, equitable, productive, sustainable and resilient.

05 Jul
Impacts of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability

HIA provided a submission to the Senate Select Committee on the Impacts of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability.

05 Jul
Proposed Development Scheme for the Woolloongabba priority development area

HIA provided feedback in relation to the proposed Development Scheme for the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area.

02 Jul
Review into the Design and Building Practitioners and Residential Apartment Buildings Act 2020

HIA provided a submission on the Review into the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020.

28 Jun
HIA response to Impact Analysis of Condensation Management Stage 3

HIA responded to an ABCB submission on the Impact Analysis of Stage 3 Proposals for Condensation Management NCC 2025.

28 Jun
HIA response to Impact Analysis of Proposals for Waterproofing in NCC 2025

HIA responded to an ABCB submission on the Impact Analysis of Proposals for Waterproofing in NCC 2025.