What the latest housing activity data means for Australia and NSW

Nationally, the latest housing activity data released by the Australian Bureau of statistics shows that:

• Total dwellings commenced fell 11.2% to 48,012 dwellings.
• New private sector houses commenced fell 3.5% to 27,658 dwellings.
• New private sector other residential commencements fell 20.7% to 19,116 dwellings...

Background

The Federal Government commissioned a report into housing supply regulation from the Productivity Commission (PC) this year. 

The PC had already found that red tape is responsible for undermining productivity in the housing industry. It adds significant cost to the average new house or unit. 

Scope of the...

Builders welcome the commencement of the Development Coordination Authority (DCA), a major reform by the Minns Government which can streamline the planning and development assessment system to fast track construction of new housing.

Matthew Polock, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW said, “The Minns Government continues to deserve credit for...

NSW Government has announced $4 million in new grants to help boost prefab and modular housing, and applications are now open. 

Part of the grant funding is targeted at helping to attract a large-scale manufacturer and standing up a local manufacturing facility to produce prefab, modular and other Modern...

Master Builders welcomes the Minns Government’s announcement of new housing innovation grants to boost construction of housing using modular, prefab and other Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

Matthew Pollock, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW said the new Housing Innovation in Construction Fund and the Housing Innovation Network Grants Program...

The 2026/27 State Budget was handed down today by NSW State Treasurer David Mookhey. The Budget includes some welcome measures to accelerate housing approvals, support Modern Methods of Construction and maintain a substantial pipeline of public infrastructure work. In his speech in the NSW Legislative Assembly today, Mookhey noted that...

Master Builders continues to advocate for incentives for construction industry businesses to take on apprentices. 

The evidence from the COVID period is conclusive; many more building trade apprentices were take on during the pandemic when the Federal Government provided financial support for employers. 

Incentives will be particularly important to grow...

The NSW Government has now appointed the inaugural SafeWork Advisory Council, part of the Minns Government’s process to establish a standalone regulator.

Master Builders NSW has membership of the Council and has nominated David Soloman, Executive Offer Safety to represent us.

The Council was created through changes to the Work...

The 2026 Northern Regions Excellence in Building Awards has showcased the best building and construction projects across the north of the state. 

The best and brightest builders for the region attended the Awards Gala in Ballina where the most outstanding residential and construction projects were recognised. See the full list...

Media Release

The NSW 2026/27 Budget highlights that construction and construction capacity is essential to the health of the NSW economy for the foreseeable future.

Matthew Pollock, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW said that, “Increasing construction activity will be vital to stimulating the economic growth needed to arrest...