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.

Loophole closed for unlicensed builders

08/10/2024

Key points:

License & Insurance = Essential: No license or HBCF insurance means no progress payments for residential work in NSW.

Homeowner Protection: The amendment strengthens protection for homeowners by ensuring builders are qualified and insured.

Adjudicator Duty: Adjudicators must verify licenses and insurance before awarding payments to avoid legal...

Endorsement of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024-2030

03/10/2024

The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) has announced that the Commonwealth, state, and territory governments have endorsed the Phase Three Asbestos National Strategic Plan (2024-2030). This is a critical step toward eliminating asbestos-related diseases in Australia.

Key points:

- The Phase Three Plan builds on the last...

Decline in building approvals cause for alarm says Master Builders

01/10/2024

MEDIA RELEASE: Master Builders Australia says new Australian Bureau of Statistics data for the month of August revealing a 6.1 per cent decline in the total number of new home building approvals is cause for alarm.

Despite a 0.6 per cent rise in detached house building approvals, taking the number...

Appointment to National Construction Industry Forum

18/09/2024

Today’s announcement by Minister Murray Watt to appoint Master Builders Australia to the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF) is another positive step in tackling key challenges faced by the building and construction industry.

“As the only industry body representing the commercial, civil and residential sectors of the industry, it makes...

NSW moves further away from Housing Accord target

09/09/2024

MEDIA RELEASE: New industry forecasts released by Master Builders Australia show New South Wales has unfortunately moved further away from achieving its Housing Accord target of 377,000 new homes.

Five months after the first forecasts covering the full five-year Accord period, NSW is projected to increase its housing shortfall from...

Electricians face loss of licence for poor apprentice supervision

05/09/2024
Key Points:
  • Electricians risk losing their licence for failing to supervise apprentices under new regulations.
  • Electrical-related fatalities are the second leading cause of deaths in NSW construction.
  • New guidelines require electricians to assess apprentices’ skills before assigning tasks and provide specific supervision levels.
  • The new standards take effect from 1...

CFMEU rallies - Interview with Gemma Veness, ABC News Mornings

27/08/2024

Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia, discussed the CFMEU rallies in response to the government's decision to place the construction branch of the CFMEU into administration. Wawn expressed disappointment over the rallies, especially given the support of both major political parties for the administration. She emphasised the need for...

Important building and construction industry update: CFMEU Administration

27/08/2024

You are invited to attend an important building and construction industry webinar hosted by Master Builders Australia.

The Federal Parliament has recently passed the Fair Work (Registered Organisation) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 which will see an independent external administrator appointed to all state/territory branches of the CFMEU Construction and General...

CFMEU NSW in administration

23/08/2024

Members are advised that today, 23 August 2024, the Construction and General Division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union and all its branches - including the WA and ACT branches, have been placed into administration.

The Commonwealth Attorney-General, The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, released a statement this...