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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationBlanket work from home mandates unworkable for builders
Blanket work from home mandates unworkable for builders
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“Flexible work arrangements can play an important role in supporting workforce participation, and the current laws already provide a clear and functioning framework for employers and employees to establish effective working from home arrangements.
“Whilst there has been a lot of discussion around mandating work from home in recent months, these changes would create a blanket one-size fits all obligation that disregards the operational realities of many industries, including home building businesses, adding compliance pressure and complexity for employers.
“For housing construction, work from home mandates would be impractical as many roles in home building require work that must be done on site. Supervising construction, managing trades and ensuring safety compliance simply can’t be done remotely.
“Mandating a broad right to work from home risks creating confusion, more disputes and extra compliance costs, particularly for small businesses.
“It would also create added work health and safety complications for employers, who remain responsible for workplace safety even when that workplace is someone’s home.
“Importantly, HIA’s position as set out in our recent submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Education and Employment is broadly supported by the Productivity Commission, who have outlined similar concerns with this proposed legislation in their submission.
“The Productivity Commission (PC) submission states that "Australia appears to have arrived at a sensible middle ground" and "... the need for a legislated right to work from home is not clear.
“This position by the PC confirms what Australian business and workers already know: that further interference in negotiated and flexible employment arrangements risks significantly undermining productivity, employment choice and can lead to unfairness and inequity in the workplace.
“At a time when Australia faces a critical housing shortage, policy settings should support productivity and reduce regulatory imposts. Adding another layer of workplace regulation without clear evidence of a problem will only make it harder to focus on what matters most, building more homes for Australians,” concluded Mr Collins.
HIA’s submission to the Private Senators Bill – Fair Work Amendment (Right to Work from Home) Bill 2025 can be accessed here.
For more information please contact:
Stuart Collins
Senior Executive Director Compliance and Workplace Relations
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.
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.
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.
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.