KPMG’s Residential Property Market Outlook for January 2025 presents a mixed bag for Australia’s construction industry. While housing demand remains strong, supply constraints, labour shortages, and economic conditions continue to shape the landscape.

Key insights for builders and contractors:

• Slower housing price growth – National house prices grew 5.1% in...

The Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) is lobbying for industrial relations reforms that would limit the CFMEU’s bargaining power and its role in the growing civil sector.

Key proposals include:

• Stricter oversight: Implementing “fit and proper” tests for union officials.
• Restricting CFMEU influence: Limiting their ability to negotiate pay...

The NSW Government is proposing reforms to hold developers accountable for delays in delivering off-the-plan homes, aiming to boost consumer protection and housing supply. Developers amd builders should be aware of these potential changes, as they could impact contract terms and development timelines.

Key proposed reforms:

• Mandatory sunset clauses –...

MEDIA RELEASE: Some good news for the economy today with new monthly inflation data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirming underlying inflation is below three per cent for the first time in three years.

Inflation has significantly slowed, with underlying inflation dropping to 3.2% in December, the lowest rate in three years. This development raises the possibility of a pre-election interest rate cut in February.

Key points for builders:

• Inflation impact: Underlying inflation fell sharply, down from 3.6% in September.
• Housing cost relief...

Principal contractor responsibilities

I am the principal contractor of a building site and have identified a subcontractor performing high risk silica work. Is it on me as the principal contractor to ensure the subcontractor is completing health monitoring of their workers involved in high risk silica work on my site...

To date, the Asbestos Product Guide has received a total of over 25,000 views since launching in September.

The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency are continuously reviewing and updating the Guide, with many of the original pages now containing additional images and information. Further product information pages have also been added...

Creating a mentally healthy workplace is the responsibility of all employers, leaders and workers in NSW.

SafeWork NSW offers free mental health training and coaching programs to support small businesses with fewer than 200 employees and not-for-profits of any size.

Find out more here

SafeWork NSW offers a $1,000 rebate to small businesses and sole traders who are registered and/or operating in NSW. 

The rebate can be used to help purchase items to improve work health and safety for workers.

To qualify you must:

• hold a current ABN (held for at least 6 months)
• provide...

The Albanese government is offering $10,000 bonuses to apprentices in the residential housing sector as part of a $626 million initiative to reach the target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029.

Key points:

• Bonuses paid in $2,000 instalments throughout a four-year apprenticeship, starting July 1.
• $4 billion in incentives...