Clause 4.2 of AS 3740 (Waterproofing of domestic wet areas) has quickly become one of the most misunderstood parts of the standard. It’s led to widespread confusion, unnecessary costs, and misinterpretation on building sites across the country.

At the centre of the issue is a myth: that a waterproofing membrane...

Master Builders Australia is delivering a major new initiative, funded by the federal government, to better support women's careers in construction. As part of this, independent research company Insightfully is conducting one-on-one interviews with employers like you. 

We’re seeking your practical insights about: 

· What’s working (or not) when supporting...

The building and construction industry affects millions of lives, and the role of the Building Commission NSW has never been more important. It’s responsible for making sure residential construction is safe, reliable, and built to a high standard. Leading the charge is James Sherrard, the new Building Commissioner. He’s focused...

On 17 April 2025, enhancements were released to the following digital services on the NSW Planning Portal (the Portal): 

• BASIX
• Certificate registration 
• Controlled activity approval 
• Intent to seek occupation certificate 
• Post-consent certificate 
• Strata bond 

These enhancements were to improve the usability of the services and address technical issues. 

A more...

Petzl has issued an urgent recall for certain 2022-manufactured European versions of the NEWTON, NEWTON FAST, and NEWTON EASYFIT harnesses, due to a defect in the FAST LT chest buckle. If this buckle fails during use, it could result in the harness unfastening—posing a serious risk of fatal falls.

Affected...

With housing policy now a key battleground in the federal election, Master Builders Australia has welcomed the attention but is urging both major parties to go further, arguing that first-home buyer incentives alone won’t fix the supply crisis driving up the cost of living.

Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn says...

The NSW Department of planning and infrastructure has updated the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) (Exempt and...

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) have advised that the National...

New home building approvals fell by 0.3 per cent in February, following a 6.3 per cent increase in January.

Master Builders Australia Chief Economist Shane Garrett said new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released today showed a 0.2 per cent gain for detached houses, but higher density approvals...

The NSW Government is introducing State Agency League Tables to track the performance of 22 state agencies involved in development approvals, aiming to boost transparency and accountability. A similar initiative applied to local councils last year led to a 10% improvement in Development Application processing times. The new league tables...