The issue of criminal responsibility for workplace deaths has generated debate in NSW and nationally for many years. In October 2023, the NSW Government announced that it would introduce an industrial manslaughter offence in the first half of 2024, with severe penalties for serious work health and safety breaches that...

Master Builders has been actively campaigning against a proposal that threatened the rights of independent contractors to be their own boss.

We travelled to over 20 locations around the country and held several webinars to discuss with tradies how these changes would affect them.

Thankfully, the Government and crossbenchers heard...

As the Australian economy navigates a complex landscape, Master Builders Australia has used its pre-budget submission to remind the Federal Government of the critical importance of the building and construction industry.

The industry which employs over 1.3 million Australians and is made up of around 450,000 businesses, more than any other sector...

The National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Rules 2024 make it official that silicosis is a recognised work-related lung disease for the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry. These rules also:

- Define which doctors can diagnose these work-related lung diseases;

- Set a deadline for these doctors to inform the Commonwealth...

Building Commission NSW inspectors now have the power to inspect freestanding houses and terraces at any time, anywhere. Inspectors can enter houses under construction, or post construction, and order defects to be fixed if found.

 

Here’s what you need to know:

Audits on Class 1 Buildings:
Audits can take...

The updated NCC 2022 has introduced significant changes for waterproofing in residential buildings. It emphasises more detailed requirements, particularly in areas prone to moisture. Notable changes include:

1. Reintroduction of construction details within the code, allowing users to reference AS 3740 for practical solutions.

2. Detailed requirements for waterproofing are now explicit...

Latest building approvals figures show new home builds continue to remain too low despite an uptick in higher density building.

Responding to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Master Builders Australia chief economist Shane Garrett said detached house building approvals slid by 1.9 per cent during November.

“Today’s...

During the Christmas holiday shutdown period, under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, a person with management or control of a workplace has an obligation to secure the workplace.

Master Builders Australia welcomes the focus on filling skills shortages in the Government’s migration strategy released today but a sharper focus on the trades required to tackle the housing crisis is needed. 
 
CEO Denita Wawn said labour shortages remain the biggest source of cost pressure and disruption for the...

Time is running out to register for the NSW Government initiative targeting serious defects in recently completed and occupied residential apartment buildings.

More than 150 buildings have already registered with Project Intervene, which supports owners corporations throughout the process of getting serious defects fixed in common property areas of eligible...