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.

Temporary changes to CPD

13/07/2020

Key points:

  • Only require nine CPD points this year (instead of 12)
  • This is a temporary arrangement  
     

Builders and Swimming Pool Builders who renew their licence between the 1st May and the 31st December 2020 are only required to complete nine points of professional development.

Travel restrictions and...

NSW-Victoria border closure

08/07/2020

Key points:

  • As a worker in the building and construction industry, you are deemed to be performing a critical service;
  • Therefore you are eligible to apply for a permit to cross the NSW-VIC border.

What you need to apply:

  • your personal details (name and date of birth)
  • your contact details (residential address, phone number...

SAFEWORK NSW BLITZ ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

29/06/2020

Construction sites across north-western Sydney can expect a visit from SafeWork Inspectors this week who will be targeting unsafe working systems across all building trades.

A building company has been fined $90,000 after a worker suffered a fatal fall from scaffolding on a Lidcombe construction site. 

The scaffolding he fell through was not...

Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019

16/06/2020

Since 2003, Master Builders have consistently advocated the importance of sharing the statutory liability related to building projects with all professionals in the building chain. Until now this liability has been shouldered by builders alone.

We have always believed that a licensing system is fundamental to the competency of practitioners, quality of work, and...

New powers to prevent defective buildings entering the market

10/06/2020

The NSW Building Commissioner will now have boosted powers to stop defective buildings being sold to consumers, thanks to the passing of the Residential Apartment Buildings Bill 2020 in NSW Parliament this week.

Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson said the Bill will arm the Building Commissioner with a suite...

Master Builders Ready To Help Rebuild Australia

26/05/2020

Response to PM’s National Press Club Address

The Prime Minister’s speech to signpost the Government’s approach to building economic recovery was encouraging on many fronts. 

“The Prime Minister’s recognition that there is much worse economic news to come is important especially as the building and construction industry braces for what...

'Stimulus' rather than 'subsidies'

26/05/2020

'Stimulus' rather than 'subsidies', that's our message to government.

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, Master Builders has been advocating to keep construction open for business and for stimulus to keep activity going. 

To promote our position, we commissioned Ernst & Young to cost and assess the impact of five stimulus...

Fast-tracked Assessments

22/05/2020

On 28 April 2020, the NSW Government announced the first 24 projects to undergo a fast-tracked assessment process as part of the NSW Government’s new Planning System Acceleration Program. A further 24 projects were announced in the second tranche of the Program on 22 May 2020. 

The purpose of the...

Impact of COVID-19 on construction in the Asian Region

18/05/2020

Master Builders Australia has had the opportunity to participate in an Asia-Pacific Dialogue tonight with like-minded building and construction peak bodies representing the industry in the major Asian Region economies to understand the impact of COVID-19 on  the building and construction industry in other countries.

Not surprisingly the issues are...