In a submission made to the consultation on Streamlining and Modernising the NCC, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has urged a comprehensive overhaul of the National Construction Code. The HIA has outlined several reforms aimed at simplifying the code, reducing red tape, and supporting innovation in home building to improve housing delivery.

The review represents a rare opportunity to reset the code so it better supports housing supply, productivity and affordability, says HIA Executive Director of Building Policy Shane Keating.

“It has become increasingly difficult to build a home in Australia. Builders want to be on site delivering homes for Australians, not buried in paperwork trying to navigate a regulatory maze.”

According to the HIA, building regulation has expanded significantly since the introduction of the NCC, which is now more than eight times longer than its original version and references nearly twice as many supporting standards. Excessive regulation and complexity is slowing the delivery of new homes across Australia, the industry body warns.

“Over decades the NCC has grown layer upon layer of new objectives and requirements. What began as a technical code focused on issues like structural integrity and fire safety has expanded into a much broader policy tool,” Keating reflects.

While many regulatory changes have been introduced with good intentions, the cumulative effect has increased complexity and added costs to new homes, while contributing to declining productivity in the construction sector and slowing the delivery of new housing, he says.

“If we are serious about improving housing affordability and delivering the 1.2 million homes target, the regulatory system must support supply rather than working against it,” he adds.

Among the major reforms recommended by HIA are simplifying code provisions, introducing a five-year amendment cycle to provide greater certainty to builders, making all referenced Australian Standards freely accessible, improving usability of the NCC, reducing unnecessary regulatory burden and creating clearer pathways for adoption of AI, innovation and modern construction methods.

In addition, the association is urging a stronger role for the Australian Building Codes Board, including clearer governance and increased resources to ensure the NCC functions effectively as a national standard.

“Housing affordability cannot be an afterthought when developing building regulation; the NCC must return to its core role as a clear, technical minimum standard that ensures safe homes while allowing the industry to deliver housing efficiently and affordably,” Keating notes.

“The NCC is only one part of the broader regulatory framework affecting housing supply, but it is an important piece of the puzzle. It’s time for a genuine overhaul to deliver a modern code that works for the way housing is delivered, supports innovation and ultimately helps more Australians achieve home ownership,” he concludes.

Image source: HIA

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