{{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 locationGovernment abandons engineered stone transition, creates more pain for home buyers and builders
Government abandons engineered stone transition, creates more pain for home buyers and builders
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
“A transition period for home building contracts signed before the engineered stone ban announcement was part of the position agreed at a recent meeting of State WHS Minister’s, to allow builders to finish off those contracts,” said Michael Roberts, Housing Industry Association Queensland Executive Director.
“Now, after Minister Grace Grace’s announcement over the weekend, Queensland won’t get a transition period, leaving builders and tradespeople to pick up the pieces and scramble to find solutions for homeowners who could face delays to completion, contract changes and extra costs,” Mr Roberts said.
“It’s not uncommon for home building contracts to be signed at least 12 months prior to construction commencement, and then there’s time taken to complete the build. It’s likely that confusion and supply of replacement bench top product will see new homes sitting waiting for bench top installation so that homeowners can move in. All involved will take a hit.
“The agreed transition would have allowed a period of six months after the ban takes place on 1 July 2024 for pre-existing contracts to be fulfilled. Builders in NSW and some other states will benefit from the transition, so there will also be cross-border issues and discrepancies.
“The Minister has seriously underestimated the impost this decision will put on the community and industry, and we will see this play out in the second half of the year.
“Thousands of building and sales contracts will need to be varied, and the consequence will be more cost for consumers, and significant administration time and burden for small business.
“HIA supports strong measures to manage the risks of respirable crystalline silica, but we believe that a safe and fair transition could have been achieved.
"Queensland was the last State to make it clear on the rules moving forward, but if the Minister always supported a complete ban as claimed, why did she wait until a long weekend to make the announcement when the announcement could have been made months ago?” Mr Roberts said.
For more information please contact:
Housing and Productivity Contribution Scheme Works-in-Kind Guideline
In mid-June 2025, the NSW Premier released the Housing and Productivity Contribution (HPC) Works-in-Kind Guideline for public consultation.
Government announces broader licensing powers and HBCA review
Today the State Government announced proposed changes to the regulatory powers to investigate registered builders who may be unable to meet the financial requirements of registration. The announcement also included a long-awaited review of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (HBCA) and associated laws.
HIA welcomes changes providing confidence for home building
Housing Industry Association welcomes today’s announcement by the Cook Labor Government to review key aspects of the home building contracts legislation and provide the building regulator with additional powers to work with builders in distress.
Interest rate cuts boost building approvals
“Two cuts to the cash rate have seen the volume of detached house building approvals rise to be 3.2 per cent higher than the same month last year,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.