Discover the latest updates and essential insights in the building and construction industry. For all significant news and developments, this is your go-to source.
Builders urge Greens and Coalition to back Help to Buy
In the midst of political wrangling, Master Builders Australia urges Parliament to adopt sensible housing policies that benefit both aspiring homeowners and encourage more housing supply.
CEO Denita Wawn said the industry was strongly supportive of the Help to Buy Scheme which will assist some homebuyers in acquiring their first...
Industrial Manslaughter Laws Introduced to NSW
The issue of criminal responsibility for workplace deaths has generated debate in NSW and nationally for many years. In October 2023, the NSW Government announced that it would introduce an industrial manslaughter offence in the first half of 2024, with severe penalties for serious work health and safety breaches that...
A Victory for Independence: Safeguarding the Future of Tradies
Master Builders has been actively campaigning against a proposal that threatened the rights of independent contractors to be their own boss.
We travelled to over 20 locations around the country and held several webinars to discuss with tradies how these changes would affect them.
Thankfully, the Government and crossbenchers heard...
Building the Future: Master Builders Australia's Call for Economic Alignment
As the Australian economy navigates a complex landscape,ÌýMaster Builders AustraliaÌýhas used its pre-budget submission to remind the Federal Government of the critical importance of the building and construction industry.
The industry which employs over 1.3 million Australians and is made up of around 450,000 businesses, more than any other sector...
2024 Rules for Tracking Work-Related Lung Diseases
The National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Rules 2024 make it official that silicosis is a recognised work-related lung disease for the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry. These rules also:
- Define which doctors can diagnose these work-related lung diseases;
- Set a deadline for these doctors to inform the Commonwealth...
Commission inspectors now have the power to inspect houses
Building Commission NSW inspectors now have the power to inspect freestanding houses and terraces at any time, anywhere. Inspectors can enter houses under construction, or post construction, and order defects to be fixed if found.
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Here’s what you need to know:
Audits on Class 1 Buildings:
Audits can take...
Residential Building Update: NCC 2022's Waterproofing Shift
The updated NCC 2022 has introduced significant changes for waterproofing in residential buildings. It emphasises more detailed requirements, particularly in areas prone to moisture. Notable changes include:
- Reintroduction of construction details within the code, allowing users to reference AS 3740 for practical solutions.
- Detailed requirements for waterproofing are now explicit...
Home building remains too low
Latest building approvals figures show new home builds continue to remain too low despite an uptick in higher density building.
Responding to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Master Builders Australia chief economist Shane Garrett said detached house building approvals slid by 1.9 per cent during November.
“T´Ç»å²¹²â’s...
Mitigation checklist for holiday shutdown period
Skilled migration key to rebalancing workforce needs
Master Builders Australia welcomes the focus on filling skills shortages in the Government’s migration strategy released today but a sharper focus on the trades required to tackle the housing crisis is needed.Ìý
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CEO Denita Wawn said labour shortages remain the biggest source of cost pressure and disruption for the...