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Login to see content specific to ACT and Southern NSW

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ACT and Southern NSW

Keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, insights and advice across your region.

ACT and Southern NSW

Keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, insights and advice across your region.

As we move into February, the region’s housing industry is well and truly back into full swing after the summer break. With activity picking up across the sector, it’s an ideal time to reconnect, refocus, and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that 2026 will bring.

A still-strong labour market and inflation exceeding expectations have put the prospect of further interest rate hikes squarely back on the agenda for 2026. The RBA has put speculation to rest by hiking interest rates at their first meeting of the year.

Building approvals data for December showed that we finished the year on a positive note, with detached house approvals reaching the highest level in two years, and a solid rebound in multi-unit approvals after a softer result in November.

Following the ACT Government’s pre-Christmas announcement that NCC 2025 will be adopted from the beginning of May—becoming mandatory from November—HIA is advocating for a longer and more orderly transition period. The proposed timeline leaves industry with little time to adjust and creates a real risk of disruption to projects already in planning.

There must not be a repeat of the disorder and uncertainty created by the ACT’s rushed adoption of the last NCC update.

The draft code was published this week and HIA’s Technical Team have been busy developing resources to assist as the new code comes into force. We’ll be uploading more to the dedicated NCC 2025 webpage as we work through all the changes.

Over summer, we’ve also put together a refreshed events program for 2026. It kicks off in Wagga Wagga on 20 February with a technical information session bringing together and region’s leading builders and engineers to focus on best practice footing and slab design for the Riverina’s reactive soils.

In the ACT, the events program gets underway on 27 February with the State of the Nation lunch at Hotel Realm, featuring a keynote address from Mark Parton Leader of the Canberra Liberals, alongside economic insights from Tim Reardon.

We look forward to working with members across the ACT and Southern NSW as the year gathers momentum.

Greg Weller
Geordan Murray
Executive Director
ACT and Southern NSW

Latest news
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23 Feb
Crackdown needed as site theft adds to builders' insurance burden

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s move to crack down on copper and scrap metal theft, warning that construction site theft is adding to the risk that insurers are pricing into premiums for Tasmanian builders.

23 Feb
Infrastructure funding must drive new housing supply in Queensland

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Queensland Government’s continued investment in enabling infrastructure through Round 2 of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, but the funding must be tightly targeted to ensure it genuinely delivers new housing supply,” HIA Executive Director Queensland, Michael Roberts, said today.

23 Feb
Lifting taxes wont get more homes built

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) will be sending a simple message to the inquiry into Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on residential property when it appears before the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount tomorrow – if you tax something more, you will get less of it.

22 Feb
HIA welcomes Tasmanian Government's leadership on NCC pause

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has today welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s finalisation of the Building Amendment Bill 2026, ahead of its imminent introduction to Parliament. The Bill will formally pause further implementation of new National Construction Code (NCC) requirements in Tasmania.

Spotlight

President's report

We deliver stories that make you feel part of a vibrant community of like-minded industry professionals, ...

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Apprentices

There’s no better time than now to employ an apprentice and help them build the foundation for a long and...

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Member stories

Hear from our members, in their words, about their day to day challenges and highlights in work and life.

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Your myHIA account


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National Construction Code 2022

Keep up-to-date with the evolving changes for your region. Check out the NCC 2022 hub with all the latest info, courses and seminars.

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Join the conversation

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Awards & events

Upcoming events
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24 Feb
HIA Building Women Thrive Series

Join HIA’s Building Women events - an empowering industry gathering for leaders, builders, and change-makers who believe in strength through diversity and collaboration across the building and construction community.

27 Feb
HIA-Australian Gas Networks Golf Day

There’s more to a round of golf at a HIA Golf Day than just a relaxing hit of the ball. Catch up with industry friends or make new ones in an enjoyable environment.

27 Feb
HIA Building Women Lunch

Stay up-to-date professionally and get handy information for your business by attending our networking events.

27 Feb
ACT State of the Nation

Learn the latest residential construction trends at our State of the Nation. Make better business decisions after hearing key presenters from HIA’s Economics as well as guest speakers.

HIA Awards

HIA Awards provide home builders and designers the opportunity to receive recognition, and showcase their work to the broader industry. Winners and finalists not only receive extensive media promotion for their business, they also get the opportunity to promote themselves as an industry leader.

2025 Award winners

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Home of the Year

Winner: Status Living

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Apartment Complex

Winner: Milin Builders

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Display Home

Winner: PROF HOMES and Architects Ring & Associates

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Careers & learning

Learning a new skill or adding to your existing knowledge is the best way to advance your career and help reignite your passion for getting up in the morning and doing a job that you love. It's not just about what you can learn but also how you can use your new found knowledge to reach the next step in where you want your career to go.

Upcoming training
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24 Feb
Waterproofing Wet Areas - What, Where and How

Gain an understanding on the NCC hierarchy and the what, where and how of waterproofing.

25 Feb
Silica Awareness

Find out more about what silica is, how to work safely with products containing silica, what tools and systems exist, as well as where to get further information

26 Feb
Beyond 7 Star Energy Efficiency in Victoria

Gain an understanding of Energy Efficiency requirements, including new standards and requirements coming in Victoria, in 2027.

04 Mar
CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

This diploma course is designed for building and construction professionals who wish to gain valuable skills in managing medium rise construction projects.

Support for your business

Building it right

HIA’s experienced Building and planning services team can help you navigate residential building legislation and keep your project on track.

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Getting approval to build

Most new homes and renovations to existing homes require a development approval (DA) before they can be built. A DA will normally be granted by the local council.

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Managing your safety

We have been helping businesses like yours for over a decade by offering safety checks and site-specific safety systems designed to meet current workplace health and safety requirements.

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Managing your business

HIA’s expert workplace advisors can offer you bespoke support to help you navigate the maze of compliance in the building industry.

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