{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationNew home buyers face substantial cost increases from 1 October
New home buyers face substantial cost increases from 1 October
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
"At a time when housing supply and affordability are the most challenging in our history, industry and homeowners should be afforded more time to implement and prepare for such significant changes.
"Whilst today’s announcement on some moderate transitional arrangements by NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully provides some relief, it will only address a limited number of building projects.
"HIA remains deeply concerned on the timing for adoption of the BASIX changes given the scale and complexity of reforms.
"Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania have all recognised the significant impacts to affordability of increased material and labour costs, interest rate rises and supply chain constraints.
"Providing the housing sector in those states with much needed relief by delaying implementation of the new energy targets.
"HIA calls on the NSW Government to follow the sensible lead of other states and provide a full 12-month delay for the BASIX Standards increases," said Mr Bare.
Why is a delay necessary in NSW?
The key reasons why industry is calling on the NSW Government for additional 12 month phase in period are:
- The software tools that are critical for builders to accurately assess how to adjust existing designs to comply in a manner that will be at the lowest cost to consumers are not currently available despite the changes due to take effect in a manner of weeks.
- The NSW Government DIY tool is still not formally launched, and available to use.
- New build contract cancellations are double what they were 12 months ago as confidence levels and borrowing capacity of new home buyers has deteriorated due to interest rises. Further cost increases will only add more pressure.
- Supply chain constraints have been a major issue throughout and emerging from the pandemic. HIA builder members have little confidence that supply chains can adjust to deliver the new products needed to comply with the energy targets without any delays and still without surety of the final cost impacts for their customers.
- The return on investment for this change on new houses is measured in decades – not years.
"Given these issues, there is simply not enough lead time for the industry to prepare and adapt their plans, specification and contracts given the scale and complexity of the changes," said Mr Bare.
More time will allow industry to come up with cost effective solutions
"It is vitally important that industry has all the tools and criteria in place to enable it to deliver the BASIX changes at the lowest possible cost for new home buyers.
"The bottom line is that housing supply and affordability is being put at risk unnecessarily. The home building industry can adjust and deliver the most cost-effective solutions given sufficient time.
"HIA also called for the new energy measures to only be applied to contracts signed from the implementation date, to spare those already with fixed price contracts or with approved loans being blindsided by the additional retrospective compliance costs.
"We welcome the changes announced on this aspect by Minister Scully and urge the Government to adopt this approach in all such cases in the future," concluded Mr Bare.
For more information please contact:
Update: contracts signed before 1 July 2026 and optional cover
HIA will continue to update you as we receive further advice and information on the ongoing transition from Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) to the First Resort Home Warranty Scheme (FRHWS).
Six-month lifeline no substitute for permanent fire testing solution
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the decision to extend the lease of CSIRO's North Ryde fire testing facility by six months, saying the announcement provides valuable breathing space but does not resolve the long-term threat to Australia's building product testing capability.
Apartment surge sets the stage for missing middle era
“The strong pipeline of multi-unit dwelling approvals recorded during the second half of 2025 has begun to translate into construction activity,” said Geordan Murray, HIA Executive Director ACT & Southern NSW.
Top end apprentices helping build Australia's housing future
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor and Shadow Minister for Skills and Training Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the HIA Skills Centre in Darwin this week to meet apprentices and discuss the workforce challenges confronting Australia's residential construction industry.