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.
Future of Australian housing: apartments redefine the 'Great Australian Dream'
Builders are at the forefront of a shifting housing landscape, as rising unaffordability reshapes what Australians view as the ideal home. The demand for apartments and high-density living is growing, driven by financial pressures and changing lifestyle priorities. Here’s what builders need to know:
Key Trends and Insights
- Decline in...
Apartment market set for faster growth as buyers shift focus
Demand for apartments is expected to outpace that for houses in Brisbane next year, with Domain forecasting apartment values to rise by up to 9% by the end of 2025, compared to a 7% increase for houses. Similarly, Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide are predicted to see apartment price growth matching...
Tax cuts for foreign investors in build-to-rent: No quick fix, says NAB
National Australia Bank (NAB) has voiced concerns over the new tax legislation aimed at foreign investors in Australia’s build-to-rent (BTR) sector, cautioning that while the changes are positive, they fall short of addressing broader challenges. The legislation, which halves the tax rate for foreign investors from 30% to 15%, aligns...
Industrial disputes reach highest level in over a decade
MEDIA RELEASE: New industrial disputes data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms the need for a return of a building and construction industry watchdog, says Master Builders Australia.
Over the September quarter, 59 per cent of total working days lost in the economy occurred in the building and construction...
New research shows Australians think housing crisis is getting worse
MEDIA RELEASE: Master Builders Australia has today released new independent research by Insightfully into the state of the housing crisis.
The research was conducted 11-18 November among 1,600 voters nationwide.
Key insights include:
- 2 in 3 say cost of living is the most important issue for them (up from 45%...
Tradies added to skilled migration list
The Albanese government’s overhaul of the skilled visa system aims to address severe labour shortages, particularly in the construction sector, as it works toward building 1.2 million homes by 2029. A new three-tier system categorises skilled migrants into streams for low-paid care workers, high-earning professionals, and a “core” group earning...
Master Builders sheds light on negative consequences of recent IR legislation
MEDIA RELEASE: Releasing its submission to the Albanese Government’s review of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay and Closing Loopholes legislation, Master Builders Australia has highlighted the cumulative impact of certain changes on the building and construction industry.
The abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the repeal...
Momentum shifts for new home builds, but failure to deliver has a real cost
Master Builders says fresh Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing new home building approvals nearing a two-year high is good news, but much more improvement is still needed to build the homes Australians desperately need.
The ABS data released today shows that new home building approvals rose by 4.2 per...
Builders welcome passage of new housing legislation
MEDIA RELEASE: After a year-long political fight, the Parliament has finally passed the Help to Buy and Build to Rent bills that benefit aspiring homeowners and encourage more housing supply.
Master Builders has strongly supported both pieces of legislation.
Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme allowing eligible home...
Update on the CFMEU administration
Following a damning exposé by Nine media in mid-July (“Building Bad”), on Friday 23 August 2024, all Construction and General Divisions of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) were placed into a scheme of administration by the Albanese Labor Government. This was a truly historic event. The stated...