The Federal Government has announced a pause on further changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) until mid-2029. The decision comes after mounting pressure from industry groups, including Master Builders, who have raised concerns about the heavy compliance burden on small businesses. At more than 2,000 pages and with 120 referenced standards requiring separate purchase, the NCC has become a significant challenge for builders already grappling with cost escalations and project delays.

Master Builders NSW says the freeze is an excellent move that will be welcomed by thousands of builders across the state. But the organisation stresses that the fight against the ever-growing ocean of regulation must continue at the NSW Government and local council level. Members report being forced to hire more non-trade staff and consultants just to keep up with red tape, driving up costs and blowing out build times.

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said the pause will allow industry to focus on delivering new homes without the added weight of ongoing regulatory changes. Essential safety and health measures will continue to be considered, but the freeze on other amendments is intended to provide much-needed stability during the Housing Accord period.

Alongside the code freeze, the Government has confirmed a strike-team within the Environment Department will be tasked with clearing backlogs of approvals, using artificial intelligence to accelerate assessments. More than 26,000 homes across the country are expected to benefit, with the aim of getting builders on site sooner and reducing bottlenecks in the approvals process. Master Builders NSW notes that while AI has potential, it must not be used as an excuse for further layers of regulation.

The housing industry remains one of the largest contributors to the economy, yet excessive regulation is making it one of the least productive. Turning this around would deliver economic gains for the entire community. Certainty around building costs and approvals is critical if the target of 1.2 million homes under the Housing Accord is to be met. Master Builders will continue to work closely with government to ensure reforms remain practical, proportionate, and support builders to focus on what they do best: building homes for Australians.