{{ propApi.searchIcon }}
{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA SafeScan Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Value for money Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services Australian Standards
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes National Construction Code 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 Communication for 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
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Grow with us Sign me up Become a member Member benefits Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women Charitable Foundation GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Meet our members Partner with us
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 2026 Australian Home of the Year 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

Delivering more with One House One Approval

Media release

Delivering more with One House One Approval

Media release
Home ownership is the bricks and mortar that has helped Australia build a stable and vibrant society, but the opportunity to own a home in Australia is a challenge.

“One of the key challenges is the complex approval system that leads to protracted approval timeframes, higher approval costs and negatively impacted housing affordability, said Craig Jennion, HIA Hunter Executive Director.  

The NSW government launched in 2024 a council league table to monitor performance of development application lodgement and determination. 

“Pleasingly in the past financial year 9 of the 11 councils across the Hunter and Central Coast, are lodging development applications within the league tables phase 1 goal of 14 days. 

“Maitland City Council in particular is applauded for being the leading council across the state, with an average lodgement of 2 days, performing twice as quick as the next best group of councils. 

“The league table also measures development assessment times, with the fastest councils in the Hunter being Singleton (average of 55 days), followed closely by Port Stephens Council (57 days) for the 2024-25 financial year.  

“In addition to ensuring closer scrutiny and accountability the league table provides an incentive for councils to adopt best practices and improve services.  An example of this is the Accelerated Development Applications initiative that the City of Newcastle has developed.  They are commended for developing a faster, less bureaucratic approvals process for straightforward developments, saving time and council resources. 

“Despite this there is much more that can be done to address the housing crisis. A solution to this is the "One House One Approval" (OHOA) initiative developed by the HIA. 

“OHOA advocates for a single, unified approval process for building a new house on residential land—replacing the current fragmented system where separate planning and building approvals are often required.

“Whilst NSWs complying development process is a partial step toward OHOA, the fact that such a large percentage of approvals are diverted to councils for a traditional development assessment means many households still face a lengthy complex approval process.

“Additional support is needed to see more councils, who have the desire, look at alternative approaches to see single dwellings approved closer to the 40 day statutory time period. Having assessment goals like we do that can be up to average of 115 days post lodgement via the league tables is simply not fast enough. 

“In addition to amending the assessment process to ensure single dwellings on residential land exempt or code assessable, HIA would like to see councils lean further into AI & private certification (delegated assessments) to reduce approval delays further.

“We need comprehensive reform and One House One Approval can be a key driver to unlocking the housing that Australia desperately needs by simplifying and accelerating the building approval process for single-dwelling homes” concluded Mr Jennion.

View the One House One Approval report

For more information please contact:

Craig Jennion

Executive Director - Hunter
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
14 Jul
Update on recent HIA advocacy activities

Over the past few weeks HIA has been advocating strongly on behalf of members on a range of policy and regulatory issues that have significant implications for housing supply, business confidence and the capacity of our industry to deliver the homes Australia needs.

14 Jul
Tasmanian builders shouldn't be shut out of housing work over union membership

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has today written to the Tasmanian Government calling for a commitment that state-funded and state-partnered housing work will continue to be awarded on merit, not industrial arrangements, warning new federal procurement rules could shrink the pool of builders able to deliver the homes Tasmania needs.

13 Jul
Rushing Working from Home laws will only lead to more bungling

The Victorian Government continues to push ahead with its Working from Home laws despite the Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) call for it to abandon its proposed legislation, warning the changes would impose additional regulatory pressure on businesses already struggling and kill productivity.

13 Jul
Hobart named Australia's most restrictive city for planning

Hobart has been identified as the most restrictive capital city in Australia for planning, according to the Australian Zoning Atlas, which found 97 per cent of the city's residential land is subject to restrictions that limit new housing.