The Australian Institute of Architects has flagged the proposal to pause National Construction Code (NCC) updates, arguing that regular code updates deliver significant long-term economic benefits, and any freeze would harm construction productivity rather than improve it.

"Building upgrades cost significantly less when the code is updated more frequently," says Adam Haddow, National President of the Australian Institute of Architects. "A pause creates costly backlogs of quality and safety improvements that ultimately burden the industry and society."

With construction technologies and techniques evolving rapidly to help build more efficiently and quickly, Haddow emphasises that a consistent three-year NCC review cycle is essential for ensuring Australia keeps pace with global productivity-enhancing trends.

NCC changes are typically developed through wide-ranging industry consultation, with businesses often planning investments in new technologies and improved building materials based on expected updates. Delays in NCC updates, therefore, can create investment uncertainty and erode business confidence.

"A pause in the NCC will not keep up with innovations that help us build better and quicker," Haddow observes. "We'll be left behind in the international market."

The Albanese Government’s decision last week to halt further changes to the NCC after the scheduled 2025 updates aims to reduce existing red tape in construction and boost housing supply in an effort to address the escalating housing crisis.

However, the Institute has strongly rejected claims that building standards create unnecessary red tape, saying that robust codes actually improve productivity by:

Preventing costly rectification work
Reducing insurance claims and legal disputes
Ensuring buildings perform as designed
Maintaining Australia's reputation for quality construction
Delivering quality homes for our community

"Real construction productivity means establishing clear frameworks to enable investment by the private sector. We need to be building it right the first time, not kick the can down the road. We know what’s needed, we need to get on with it," Haddow explains. "The National Construction Code ensures we achieve quality equally. We owe it to our communities to stay on the path.”

The next NCC updates are now expected only in 2029.

Image: Adam Haddow, National President of the Australian Institute of Architects | Source: https://sjb.com.au/

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