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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Login to see content specific to Hunter, NSW

We tailor content to your location and until your location matches the Hunter, NSW region this page will show content that is not specifically relevant. Login to refresh content

Hunter

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

Hunter

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

As advised in a recent member alert, the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 was formally passed by NSW Parliament last week.

Following strong advocacy from HIA, the NSW Government has stepped back from the extensive reforms proposed in 2023 that would have significantly impacted the residential building industry. Instead, the new Act delivers a more balanced package of reforms focused on streamlining approval processes and supporting greater uptake of prefabricated and modular construction.

A key achievement for HIA members is the introduction of a dedicated dispute resolution scheme for building work disputes. This addresses one of the industry's most pressing concerns and is expected to improve outcomes for builders and consumers alike.

The Act also establishes a new building approvals framework, replacing construction certificates with building approvals and occupation certificates with completion approvals. It aims to simplify processes for minor variations and better integrate prefabricated buildings into the approvals system. In addition, the legislation consolidates provisions currently contained in the Design and Building Practitioners Act and the Building and Development Certifiers Act.


View member alert

Craig Jennion
Craig Jennion
Executive Director
Hunter

Latest news
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08 Sep
Draft Wide Bay – Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan

The Wide Bay Burnett region to face a severe housing crisis characterised by declining affordability, rapidly rising housing costs, constrained rental supply and increasing workforce accommodation shortages.

08 Sep
HIA welcomes NT Government's continuous commitment to reducing red tape

HIA welcomes the Northern Territory Government's commitment to rebuild the economy by creating a more business-friendly environment and cutting excess red tape and improved regulatory practices.

04 Sep
Air conditioning zoning and airflow effectiveness

Effective air conditioning zoning and balanced airflow are key to achieving consistent, whole home comfort.

04 Sep
Avoid the costly mistake of non-compliant vapour barriers

It has come to our attention that non-compliant materials for the use of concrete underlay have been making their way to some SA building sites.

Spotlight

President's report

2025 was a year that HIA continued to advocate on behalf of members locally.

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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


  • Manage your membership
  • Instant access to Contracts Online
  • Download all digital purchases
  • Manage CPD

myHIA dashboard  Contracts Online

National Construction Code

Keep up to date with the NCC's evolving changes in your state. Visit our hub for the latest resources, adoption dates, key regulatory updates and how HIA is pushing for change at a government level.

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Join the conversation

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Awards & events

Upcoming events
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12 Sep
Northern NSW Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards

Join the HIA Northern NSW Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards for a night celebrating excellence in residential building. Enjoy an unforgettable evening with industry peers, hosted by MC Des Dowling.

12 Sep
Western Australian Regional Housing Awards

Join us in celebrating excellence in the residential building industry at the HIA Regional Western Australian Housing Awards.

15 Sep
HIA Building Women Thrive Series

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

16 Sep
Psychosocial Hazards Webinar

Learn easy to understand strategies that work. Engaging and in-depth look at business and industry processes and implications that could impact your business.

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: Butler Building

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Apartment Complex

Winner: MARS Building

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Project Home

Winner: Stroud Homes Central Coast

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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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15 Sep
Beyond 7 Star Energy Efficiency in Victoria

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

17 Sep
Estimating and Quoting

Get the knowledge and skills required to accurately calculate and estimate material, labour and equipment costs, as well as business overheads, margins and other costs for small residential and commercial construction projects.

21 Sep
Waterproofing Wet Areas - What, Where and How

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

21 Sep
CPC20220 Certificate II in Construction Pathways

This qualification is designed to meet the needs of contract administrators in the building and construction field who may have responsibility for the preparation of estimates from predetermined rates, processing of subcontractor claims and preparation of head and subcontracts for building and construction works.

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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Location

Newcastle

17 Murray Dwyer Circuit
Steel River Estate
Mayfield West NSW 2304

1300 650 620 or 02 4014 2000
hunter_enquiry@hia.com.au

Office hours:
Monday - Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm

Hunter

17 Murray Dwyer Circuit, Steel River Estate, Mayfield West NSW 2304

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