The federal government of Australia has announced a significant policy shift aimed at expediting housing approvals while freezing further modifications to the National Construction Code until mid-2029. This decision follows recent recommendations from the Economic Reform Roundtable, which urged for quicker housing solutions in light of the ongoing housing crisis.
Once the scheduled updates to the comprehensive National Construction Code, which spans over 2,000 pages, are finalized this year, all additional changes will be paused. This freeze excludes updates related to essential safety and quality measures, but it will delay any enhancements regarding energy efficiency or environmental considerations for at least a year. Previously, the next round of changes was anticipated to occur in 2028.
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized the need for reform, stating, “It’s too hard to build a home in this country.” The government’s decision follows a campaign during this year’s elections in which the Labor party criticized the Coalition’s previous proposal to freeze the National Construction Code for a decade.
Fast-Tracking Housing Projects
In a parallel initiative, Environment Minister Murray Watt announced plans to accelerate decisions on applications for over 26,000 new homes. This initiative aims to streamline the approval process, although it does not guarantee that all applications will be approved. Watt highlighted that “fast-tracked projects will continue to be required to meet all environmental requirements,” ensuring that standards are maintained even as the decision-making timeline is shortened.
The government is also exploring ways to assist tradespeople in navigating the construction code, potentially incorporating artificial intelligence to simplify processes. Additionally, there is a proposal to extend the review cycle of the National Construction Code from every three years to a longer-term schedule.
In response to the recommendations from the Economic Reform Roundtable, the government is considering several measures to improve housing supply. These include reducing barriers for superannuation investments in housing, promoting modern construction methods such as prefabricated housing, and collaborating with state authorities to expedite approvals.
As the housing crisis continues to impact many Australians, the government’s recent moves signal a commitment to addressing the urgent needs of the housing market while balancing safety, environmental considerations, and the complexities of the construction code.
