{{ 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
Support & guidance
Ask an expert Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services Australian Standards
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
For your business
Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA SafeScan
Apprentices
Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Value for money
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right
Building codes National Construction Code Australian standards 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 HIA Made 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

Upgrading existing homes the best way to combat climate change

Media release

Upgrading existing homes the best way to combat climate change

Media release
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has appeared today at the Senate Inquiry into Climate Risk Assessment to advocate that the Federal government should drive a national, coordinated plan to make Australia’s homes stronger and safer in the face of a changing climate.

“The Federal government must lead a consistent approach to climate adaptation across all states and territories. Cyclones, floods, bushfires and heat waves are not new threats, but the way we prepare for them must change,” said HIA Chief Executive Industry & Policy, Simon Croft.  

“We need one clear, coordinated, national framework to lift resilience and keep housing affordable and attainable for all Australians.

“In our submission, HIA recommends the creation of a single, independently verified national risk-rating tool to guide planning decisions, inform insurers and give homeowners the information they need to strengthen their properties.

“HIA is also advocating for a ‘Hierarchy of Control’ model based on proven workplace-safety principles that ranks hazard-control measures from the most to the least effective, ensuring the strongest protections are prioritised.

“The greatest opportunity in mitigating climate change for our built environment, lies in upgrading Australia’s existing housing stock. 

While new homes already meet high and improving standards, the country’s eight to ten million older dwellings remain the most exposed to extreme weather and require targeted action to lift their resilience.

“The real challenge is the millions of older homes that need focused upgrades to withstand future events.

“HIA calls on the Federal government to work with states, territories and industry on a clear timetable and resources for these reforms. Taking a steady, coordinated approach now will strengthen our homes and communities and reduce the cost and disruption of future natural disasters,” concluded Mr Croft.

For more information please contact:

Simon Croft

Chief Executive - Industry & Policy

Joe Shanahan

Manager, Communications & Media
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
01 Oct
New rules add thousands to the cost of a new home as Tasmania falls years behind on housing

From today, every new home built in Tasmania must meet the full Livable Housing Design requirements. The Housing Industry Association says this adds thousands of dollars to the cost of building a home, at a time when Tasmanians can least afford it.

01 Oct
Rules for managing the risk of falls have changed - are you up to date?

Changes to Western Australia's requirements for managing the risks of falls will commence on 1 October 2026, introducing new expectations for builders, contractors and workers undertaking tasks where there is a risk of falling.

01 Oct
Livable Housing Design: final stage now in force

As of today, 1 October 2026, all new building work in Tasmania, unless exempt, must comply with all requirements of Part H8 Livable Housing Design of NCC Volume Two.

30 Sep
ACT housing approvals slump puts 2030 target under pressure

“The ACT’s housing supply pipeline is weakening, with building approvals in the three months to August halving compared with a year earlier,” said HIA Executive Director ACT and Southern NSW, Geordan Murray.