GBCA Chief Executive Davina Rooney says the report provides welcome clarity as NCC reforms continue rolling out nationally — and that the direction of travel is right.

"The challenge is clear — Australia needs to deliver more homes, faster, while maintaining the standards that make them efficient, comfortable and affordable to run.

"We've got to pick up the pace on delivery, but we can't lose sight of what makes buildings work for the people using them every day."

The interim report identifies three key reform directions: simplifying the NCC, restoring national consistency, and reducing the cost of demonstrating compliance — all areas the GBCA has long advocated for.

"A clearer, more consistent national code gives industry greater confidence and helps unlock housing supply without compromising building performance," Rooney says.

The report lands at a significant moment. NCC 2025 begins rolling out in Victoria and New South Wales from 1 May, with Queensland, the ACT and South Australia to follow in 2027. Rooney says it's critical that the reforms don't trade away the gains already made on energy efficiency and liveability.

"We've made real progress on energy efficiency, and that's already helping households reduce their energy bills and live more comfortably in their homes.

"These are practical benefits people feel every day, and they should be part of how we think about housing affordability."

The reforms build on changes introduced through NCC 2022, which Rooney says are already delivering measurable results.

"The improvements introduced through NCC 2022 are already delivering real benefits, including lower energy bills for households and more comfortable homes.

"We welcome the report's support for the direction of current reforms and the continued rollout of these important changes across the country."

The release follows the State of the Housing System 2026 report, which documents sustained pressure on housing supply and affordability across Australia. Rooney says the answer isn't a race to the bottom on standards — it's a smarter system.

"If we want to deliver more homes, we need a system that is clearer and more consistent from start to finish.

"And we need to make sure those homes are built to perform well over time, including being more resilient and better suited to future conditions."

The opportunity, she says, is to simplify without regressing.

"We can make it easier and faster to build without going backwards on the things that improve people's day-to-day lives.

"That's how we deliver homes that are not just quicker to build, but better to live in."

Rooney notes that despite differences on detail, there is broad alignment across industry on the need for reform.

"Everyone wants to see a more productive sector, more innovation and more homes delivered cost-effectively, while continuing to provide safe, healthy and high-performing buildings."

Image: Envato

Architecture & Design Team

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