Discover the latest updates and essential insights in the building and construction industry. For all significant news and developments, this is your go-to source.
Construction Economic Update for May 2023
Dive into the comprehensive report on the state of the building and construction industry in NSW, as of May 2023. This document, prepared by Master Builders Australia, provides a detailed overview of both residential and non-residential building sectors, along with the civil construction landscape.
Key points from the report include...
Transition to Lead-Free Plumbing Products Starts Now
Australia has begun its three-year transition to reduce allowable lead levels in many plumbing products. This initiative aims to improve water quality and safeguard public health. To support the transition, the Lead Free WaterMark trademark has been registered, and WaterMark Notice of Direction 2021/4.2 Certification transition arrangements for lead-free...
Reserve Bank hikes cash rate to 3.85 per cent
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised interest rates again, surprising both borrowers and financial markets. This marks the 11th increase in the past year, lifting the cash rate target from 3.6 to 3.85 per cent. The last time official interest rates were this high or higher was in...
SafeWork NSW Incident Information Release - Fall through stair void on residential construction site
A 28-year-old worker was installing insulation batts on the third level of a residential construction site when he fell approximately three metres through a stair void to the concrete floor below. The worker sustained serious injuries.
Safety information
Each year SafeWork NSW responds...
NSW to transition away from COVID PCR testing
NSW will transition to a pathology referral model for COVID-19 PCR testing, in line with changes already in place across all other Australian states and territories.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said it is the right time to move away from the current testing arrangements, which will end on 13...
NSW Government - Forklift operators must lift their game
The new Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis is urging businesses and workers across the State to follow forklift safety guidelines with 1,538 serious forklift related incidents reported in the past five years.
The NSW Government has hit the ground running with Minister Cotsis visiting safety education sessions...
New National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 Regulations in NSW
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 commences from today in New South Wales, ushering in a range of changes to construction regulations. The NCC 2022, which includes the Building Code of Australia (Volumes One and Two) and the Plumbing Code of Australia (Volume Three), was made available from October 1...
Future-Proofing Australia's Building and Construction Industry Workforce
Master Builders Australia has released its blueprint for future-proofing the building and construction industry's workforce in the wake of a shortage of half a million workers.
With critical shortages across industries and skill levels hindering economic recovery and productivity growth, the paper outlines what will be needed in the coming...
Builders welcome interest rate reprieve
Amid a difficult economic climate, the building and construction industry welcomes the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to pause interest rates today, says Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.
“Interest rate rises coupled with rising inflation have forced building and construction activity and new homes sales to slow sharply over...
Record low for new home construction loans
In February, new loans for owner occupiers to build a home fell 4.8% to 2732 in seasonally adjusted terms, which is the lowest in Australian Bureau of Statistics records that go back to 2002. This has exacerbated Australia’s housing crisis at a time when builders are more vulnerable than ever...