Anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imported steel have stacked up fast this year. Layered on top of WT's forecast that building costs stay above 5 per cent, the message for anyone pricing structural steel is simple. Re-cost now. If you are quoting a job with...
The fuel excise cut that was set to expire on 30 June has been extended for another month. The relief is smaller, and it is the last step before prices revert. The Albanese Government has confirmed it will keep a fuel excise discount in place through July, rather than...
As local manufacturers look offshore to scale up, Vietnam is being positioned as Australia's next modular partner. For builders, the real story is what offshore production does to cost, lead times and who controls quality. Australia cannot build homes fast enough....
The Melbourne townhome builder has reached a community milestone by linking a meal donation to every home it builds. Head of Sales and Acquisitions Sam Martinez explains why the model is deliberately uncapped, and what he thinks separates a good builder from the rest....
One of the biggest names in Australian construction has a new owner, and the reasons behind the sale are the same forces squeezing builders of every size right now. Last updated: June 2026 One of the biggest names in Australian construction has a new owner. After...
Yesterday, the federal government announced expanded capital gains tax relief for small businesses, a new concession for innovative startups, and further detail on trusts. For construction business owners, there are real changes worth understanding before they see...
Its biggest Australian factory just hit a half-century, kept growing, and kept hiring locally. For builders, that continuity matters more than the milestone. This year, the James Hardie plant at Carole Park, on the western edge of Ipswich in South East Queensland,...
Fresh ABS data names the council areas leading the country for new home approvals this financial year. South East Queensland is out in front, and a handful of growth suburbs are pulling away from the pack. If you build homes for a living, the most useful number in the...
Two homes that could not sell at $3 million have had their guides cut to $2.6 million. The reason they stalled matters more to builders than anything the show ever taught about renovation. For the first time in The Block’s history, homes from a previous season are...
With housing supply falling short of every target set for it, a formal campaign to parliament argues that 10 per cent GST on new residential construction is adding tens of thousands of dollars to every build and making the problem worse. Australia needs to build more...
From the start of the new financial year, almost any roof job on a single-storey home in SA becomes high-risk construction work. For most residential builders, the day-to-day change is simple: a Safe Work Method Statement now has to be in place before the work starts....
A new bill before Queensland Parliament would let the state compulsorily acquire private land to help deliver projects of state significance. Owners keep their right to compensation, but the usual avenues to contest the underlying decision on its merits would be...
A long-established Perth and Melbourne truss fabricator has secured just over $3 million in state funding to automate its Western Australian plant, and the detail behind the grant tells builders something useful about where component supply is going. A.G. Trusses, a...
Most of the housing debate in Australia comes down to a few familiar levers. Interest rates. Migration. Planning approvals. Tax settings. All of them matter. But there is a number that gets far less airtime, and it may be the most important one of all. Over the past...
Queensland names the first three proponents for the inaugural site under its Land Activation Program, locking in more than 450 homes across townhouses, aged care and affordable housing. For builders, this is the moment the program stops being policy and starts being a...
Zoning restrictions add tens of thousands of dollars to the price of every new home in Australia. Here is what the research says, what reform looks like, and why builders should be paying attention. There is a tax most Australians have never heard of. It does not...
A landmark 18-month AHURI report from seven universities has confirmed what many builders have lived through: it is not the planning system killing housing supply. It is the boom-bust cycle destroying the industry from the inside. There is a version of the housing...
The 2026-27 ACT Budget takes a structural approach to housing supply, removing upfront purchase barriers, cutting developer charges, and introducing pre-approved design plans to accelerate Canberra's missing middle pipeline. Canberra's housing market has some of the...
TGB has covered every major RAF announcement since April 2025. This is the consolidated status update: where the money has gone, which projects have confirmed construction underway as of June 2026, and what is still to come in Round 2. The Scoreboard at June 2026...
The state's consumer watchdog now has a dedicated team targeting dodgy tradies, and it is already putting serious money behind the message. South Australia has established a dedicated enforcement unit inside its consumer watchdog, with the Building Industry Response...
After more than three years in the courts, the Bendel case has produced a final answer. The ATO's long-held position on trust distributions has been rejected. Here is what it actually means for construction business owners. A Tax Fight That Ran All the Way to the Top...
The temporary halving of Australia's fuel excise expires on June 30, and for builders and trades running diesel-heavy operations, the timing matters. Since April 1, the excise on petrol and diesel has been reduced by 60.9%, bringing the rate down from the standard...
Australia's most ambitious social housing program since World War II is now two years in. The contracts are signed, the money is moving, and Round 3 is open. But with less than 1,500 homes completed so far and a national audit in progress, builders and the industry...
The Good Builder Podcast has hit 300 episodes. It started as a conversation between two people who cared about the industry. It has become something much bigger than that. Three hundred episodes. When Renae and Aaron started this thing, there was no guarantee anyone...
Mark Irving KC spent 20 months as CFMEU administrator facing death threats, removing over 200 officials, and negotiating nearly 1,500 enterprise agreements. He resigned in April 2026, halfway through his term. Michael Crosby AM took over on 22 May. Here is an honest...
A year on from the introduction of Victoria's Townhouse and Low-Rise Code, application volumes have surged nearly 50 per cent. The numbers tell a clear story about where work is heading and what builders need to understand before the pipeline converts. The numbers...
A proposed change to federal TAFE funding arrangements could leave Queensland builders and trades short of the next generation of workers, just as the state's apprenticeship numbers were heading in the right direction. Australia is trying to build more homes. Everyone...
A new Victorian Bill introduced this week would make it a criminal offence for builders to agree to undocumented variations in two situations: when the total contract value reaches $20,000 or more, or when a variation increases the contract cost by $5,000 or more. The...
Nine surplus government sites have been added to the NSW land audit pipeline, with more than 560 of the potential new dwellings concentrated in the Blacktown local government area. For builders watching Western Sydney, the sites signal where the next wave of work may...
The Australian Construction Industry Forum's May 2026 forecasts are out, and the shift from November 2025 is striking. What looked like a soft landing has become something harder. Builders who understood the upside in 2025 need to understand the downside risks now in...
Operation Broadwater sent inspectors across 17 towns from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads. Most builders passed. But the issues that keep showing up across every regional campaign tell a clearer story about where the pressure points are. Over 100 sites. 17 towns. 75...
New Xero figures show Australian small businesses in construction recorded their strongest productivity growth in nearly four years. For an industry used to bad headlines, this one is worth reading. There is a version of the construction industry that lives in the...
A heritage site almost lost to fire is about to become one of Sydney's most anticipated hospitality projects. Here is what the appointment of Hickory as builder tells us about the kind of work winning in the current market. There is something fitting about a builder...
While NSW drove national headlines with a sharp fall, South Australia quietly posted an 11.4 per cent rise in private sector house approvals in April 2026. For builders operating in the state, the momentum is real. The coverage rarely is. In the same month that New...
The Malinauskas Government has handed down its second-term budget with housing at the centre. Across two fast-track funds, a new rent-to-own program, land releases and a dedicated construction workforce package, here is what South Australian builders need to...
New South Wales drove the national fall in private sector house approvals in April 2026, down sharply from March. But March was an outlier. Reading this correction properly matters for builders trying to understand where the NSW pipeline is heading. The April number...
The housing market is shifting fast. Sydney and Melbourne are down, smaller capitals are losing steam, and investor appetite is cooling after budget changes to property tax. Industry analysts are sounding the alarm. But the story for builders is more nuanced than the...
The April 2026 ABS data shows Queensland private sector house approvals rising to a four-year high. But the conditions that greeted builders the last time approvals reached this level were nothing like today. The number is worth pausing on. Queensland private sector...
April building approvals data from the ABS confirms the detached housing recovery is no longer a one-month event. Three consecutive months above 10,000 private sector house approvals points to sustained demand. Queensland hits its highest house approval result since...
The latest ABS figures show a volatile month for Australian building approvals, with a sharp fall in multi-unit dwellings dragging overall numbers down 10.5 per cent. But dig past the headline and there is a more nuanced picture for the residential construction...
A sweeping change to Australian employment law will void non-compete clauses for most workers from 2027. For builders, the implications run deeper than a contract update. Most builders have never lost sleep over non-compete clauses. They sit quietly in employment...
A new Queensland Productivity Commission inquiry into changes to federal environmental law is calling for public submissions. The construction and housing sectors are directly in scope. If you have ever waited years for a housing lot to clear federal environmental...
Two final bidders are now competing to take over the Whyalla Steelworks, backed by a combined government commitment of up to $1.9 billion. For builders and suppliers, what happens next has direct implications for the steel they use and the supply chain they depend on....
The latest ABS data shows residential and non-residential building activity both growing at their strongest annual pace in years. What the December quarter figures reveal about where the industry is heading, and where the pressure points remain. The headline numbers...
The basement is done. The crane is ready. And one of the Gold Coast's most ambitious residential projects is about to become very visible. Here is what builders and suppliers need to know. There is a moment in every large-scale residential project when the work stops...
The Property Council of Australia's Victorian Division has put nine hard-nosed recommendations on the table to slash planning timelines and get more homes and jobs moving. Here is what it means for the builders waiting on the other side of the process. Every builder...
The federal government has released its most comprehensive housing strategy in decades. Here is what is in it, what it means for the construction pipeline, and why builders should pay attention now. On 28 May 2026, the Australian Government released Homes for...
New legislation passed through NSW Parliament this week makes it illegal for service stations to hide fuel prices or fail to report when a fuel type runs out. The changes come as fuel costs remain one of the most volatile line items on any construction budget. Fuel is...
A Melbourne developer-builder has delivered architecturally designed four-bedroom homes in 90 days, selling out in three weeks. It is a proof of concept the industry has been waiting for. Building a townhouse in Australia typically takes somewhere between 10 and 12...
AVID Property Group and Greenfields Development Company have confirmed the sellout of their Greenbank community. For builders operating in the Logan corridor, the numbers say something worth paying attention to. The last lot at Covella has found a buyer. After six...
New ABS data shows 72 per cent of Australian businesses have been hit by rising fuel costs and supply disruptions. For builders, the pressure is not abstract. It is showing up in operating costs, delayed schedules and decisions about workforce. The Australian Bureau...
The people who designed the 2026 Federal Budget have spent their careers inside the system they now control. That matters more than most budget coverage will tell you. There is a question that keeps coming up in conversations with builders, tradies and small business...
A code amendment signed in May 2026 allows towers up to 14 storeys on the former West End Brewery site. One developer has already doubled its apartment count. Here is what it means for the builders watching this project closely. South Australia has quietly moved the...
Three familiar faces from the construction industry are trading worksites for dirt roads to raise funds for families doing it tough. Here is why it matters and how you can get behind them. There are a lot of ways to give back. Shane, Lorraine and Jordan from the Goop...
The WA Government has released three development-ready sites in the Wellard Town Centre, each positioned to take advantage of METRONET rail access and existing community infrastructure. For builders and developers operating in Perth's southern corridor, the window is...
With a $2.5 billion workbook and ambitions stretching from data centres to NSW expansion, Hickory is betting that leadership depth is the foundation for what comes next. There are two ways a growing construction business can respond to momentum. It can add work. Or it...
Red & Co has broken ground on Duet Porta, the first stage of its landmark Hamilton development. With builder 5Point appointed and completion targeted for Q2 2028, the project offers a timely read on what it takes to get a large residential job moving in the...
AVID Property Group has turned the first sod on its landmark community clubhouse at Vantage Lilywood, with Hutchinson Builders appointed to deliver one of South East Queensland's most ambitious land lease amenity builds. There is a moment in every major development...
The Housing Diversity Pipeline is moving underutilised government land toward residential delivery. For builders watching the WA pipeline, here is what the latest release means and why the bigger story is still being written. Western Australia has a housing problem....
A $5.43 billion deal has shifted ownership of Australia's largest steelmaking coal portfolio to an untested new buyer. The steel supply chain that sits underneath every build in this country just got a new landlord. Most builders will not have heard of Dhilmar...
The Payment Times Reporting Scheme now has a public fast payer list, a slow payer direction power, and a regulator with new enforcement tools. ACCC penalties for anti-competitive conduct have already doubled to $100 million, with unfair trading practice laws on the...
Construction employs more apprentices than any other sector in Australia. New data from the Fair Work Ombudsman is a reminder that keeping that pipeline strong starts with getting the basics right. Ask any builder what they need more of right now and the answer is...
From 1 July 2026, companies with turnover under $1 billion can carry tax losses back against profits from the prior two years and receive a cash refund. Construction revenue is notoriously uneven. This measure was built for exactly that kind of business. The 2026-27...
The Cook Labor Government has introduced legislation giving the Building Commissioner authority to act before a builder collapses. This is what changes, who it affects, and what builders operating well have to understand. The story of a troubled builder is rarely a...
From 1 July 2028, a minimum 30 per cent tax rate will apply to discretionary trust distributions. Around 350,000 small businesses currently operate through these structures. Many of them are in construction. The clock on deciding what to do is already running. The...
Total dwelling approvals fell 10.5% in March 2026, but the story behind the headline is more complicated. Private house approvals are growing steadily. It is the apartment sector pulling the number down. The latest building approvals data from the Australian Bureau of...
The Crisafulli Government has fast-tracked a lease extension for BP's Bulwer Island terminal, unlocking up to $100 million in storage upgrades. For builders and trades still exposed to diesel price shocks, the decision matters more than it might first appear. Diesel...
Free access to building standards. Fewer barriers for modular construction. Faster environmental approvals. Migrant trades workers entering the workforce six months sooner. The federal government's productivity package is a long document with a lot of moving parts....
Two inner-city approvals in Docklands and Fitzroy add to Victoria's lead as the dominant build-to-rent market in Australia. For builders and suppliers, the opportunity is real, but so is the learning curve. Melbourne has added close to 800 more build-to-rent homes to...
The federal government has announced the most significant changes to property investment tax in more than 25 years. For builders, developers and anyone working in residential construction, the detail matters more than the headlines. On budget night, the federal...
Amid a global oil shock and rising cost pressures, the federal government has handed down a budget with meaningful measures for the construction sector. The federal government handed down the 2026-27 Budget on the backdrop of a global oil shock triggered by the...
The 2026-27 federal budget lands tonight at 7:30pm. Pre-release reporting points to a productivity package targeting $13 billion in annual GDP growth. Most of it won't directly affect how you run a building business. Three parts of it will. The budget is handed down...
The biggest tax story heading into the 2026 federal budget is the expected overhaul of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. The detail that matters most to the construction industry is one that most coverage is glossing over: new builds may stay...
The announcements keep coming. Across the country, federal and state governments are committing serious money to train the next generation of construction workers. Queensland has just locked in $73.8 million for a new Construction Tech TAFE Centre of Excellence....
Before the full 2026 federal budget lands tomorrow night, one major housing announcement is already confirmed. It is not about buyers. It is about the ground beneath the homes that need to be built. The federal budget is handed down tomorrow, Tuesday 12 May, at 7:30pm...
As housing affordability bites harder and immigration reshapes the buyer pool, Australia's residential construction market is pulling in two very different directions at once. Something is shifting in the Australian housing market. Not a sudden collapse. Not a boom....
The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council's 2026 State of the Housing System report shows genuine progress on supply. It also shows affordability at record lows, and a new threat that builders need to understand. The National Housing Accord set an...
Western Australia has committed another $13.1 million to keep skilled workers moving into the state's building and construction sector. The funding extends two programs that have, by the government's own count, delivered more than 2,700 additional tradespeople to WA...
A 50:50 joint venture between two of Australia's largest companies aims to bring factory-made apartment construction to industrial scale. For an industry still wrestling with cost blowouts and labour shortfalls, it is a significant signal. Australia's housing delivery...
AVID Property Group has appointed Anthony Demiris as its new Chief Executive Officer, with the change effective immediately. The appointment follows the retirement of Cameron Holt, who has led the residential development and land lease communities group for close to...
Australia needs to build more homes. That is not a contested point. The federal government's target of 1.2 million new dwellings over five years requires a pace of construction this country has never sustained. And meeting it depends heavily on one thing going right:...
Budget night is 12 May. By the time Jim Chalmers sits down after his speech, Australian builders, developers and tradespeople will have a clearer picture of what the next few years could look like. Right now, the picture is a mix of confirmed policy already in motion,...
Somewhere in Western Sydney right now, a residential builder is waiting for an electrician. Not because there are no electricians in the country. But because the electricians who exist are increasingly being locked into something else entirely, something that pays...
Australia's building code fractured along state lines on 1 May 2026. Victoria, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania all moved to NCC 2025 on that date. But New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT deferred to 1 May 2027. South Australia and Western Australia have...
Yesterday's RBA decision was significant. The cash rate is back to 4.35 per cent. Every cut delivered in 2025 has been wiped out. Westpac is now openly forecasting two more hikes before year end. That alone reshapes the lending environment for every builder in the...
Australian residential construction costs have surged from around $1,750 per square metre before the pandemic to $2,600 to $4,300 today. That number is easy to quote. What builders and clients need to understand is what it means on the actual contract. Brisbane-based...
NCC 2025 was released on 1 May 2026. Victoria is in. The Northern Territory has deferred indefinitely. Tasmania is waiting on a parliamentary vote. South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT are on transition arrangements. Queensland and New South Wales have until...
The headline number from yesterday's ABS release looks bad. Total dwelling approvals fell 10.5 per cent in March to 17,300. That is the figure most outlets ran with. But if that is all you read, you missed the more important story. Buried inside the same data release...
When external shocks hit the construction industry, builders carry the weight alone. Record insolvencies, rising material costs, and global disruptions are exposing a sector with no meaningful financial buffer. Other critical industries have one. The question is...
The ultra-luxury Maison Savoy development marks one of the most significant projects the Melbourne builder-developer has delivered to date. Construction has formally commenced on Maison Savoy, a $160 million residential development from Melbourne builder-developer...
New planning controls at Lang Lang, Oaklands Junction and Trafalgar are designed to protect the rock and sand supply that underpins residential construction across the state. Here is what builders need to know. Rock and sand are not glamorous. They do not make...
The trades skills shortage is real. But for a growing number of young Australians, it is less a crisis to weather and more a gap worth stepping into. Anthony Phonlamuang left high school without an ATAR. No score. No clear plan. No obvious next step. What he had was a...
Australia's only producer of structural long steel has been offline since early April. The blast furnace is old, the shutdown could stretch to mid-May, and the sale process is still running. Here is what it means for builders on the ground. What Has Happened The...
There is a number worth knowing: 50 percent. That is how much prime industrial rents in Greater Brisbane increased between 2021 and mid-2025, according to the Property Council of Australia's No Room to Grow report. In dollar terms, the six-month moving average for...
There is a date circled in the calendars of every accountant and payroll professional who works with small building businesses. 1 July 2026. That is when payday super takes effect. And for a construction industry already carrying record insolvencies, elevated fuel...
There is a shortage conversation happening in the Queensland construction industry. And for once, it is not about housing. According to the Property Council of Australia's No Room to Grow report, prepared by SA1 Property, Greater Brisbane's industrial land supply will...
Perth built its reputation as one of Australia's most affordable places to build. Cheap land. Cheap inputs. Room to move. But sand, long taken for granted, is quietly becoming a cost story every WA builder needs to understand. For generations, Perth builders have...
A national first in domestic fuel production is coming to Brisbane. Builders who rely on diesel should understand why. Diesel runs the building industry. It powers the excavators breaking ground. The delivery trucks moving materials. The generators keeping sites live....
A fire at the Geelong refinery has exposed just how exposed island states can be when mainland supply chains come under pressure. Tasmania is now moving fast to change that. The Trigger On Wednesday 16 April, a significant fire tore through the gasoline complex at...
The numbers are in. Now the question is whether anyone in power will act on them. Next time one of your clients complains about the cost of their new build, tell them this: nearly half of what they are paying has nothing to do with you. Not your trades. Not your...
A Federal Court ruling on the Alucobond PE cladding class action has cleared the manufacturer of liability. The decision has real implications for how Australian builders, developers and product users think about responsibility in the supply chain. On 27 March 2026,...
There is a question sitting at the centre of Australia's new home construction market that almost nobody wants to ask out loud. Who is accountable when a sales consultant overpromises? Who is responsible when a builder broker sets unrealistic expectations, places an...
NEX Property has entered the land development market with 900 lots across NSW. The builder behind McDonald Jones and Mojo is now its own client. Here is what that shift signals for builders paying attention. Something shifted in the Australian residential construction...
Australia's housing pipeline took a significant hit in January 2026, with total dwelling approvals falling 7.2 per cent to 14,564 units on a seasonally adjusted basis. The result came hard on the heels of a 14.9 per cent fall in December, meaning the sector has now...
Master Builders Queensland has issued guidance for builders navigating sudden material and supply price increases. The message is clear: your options depend entirely on what your contract says. Events on the other side of the world can change the economics of a...
The Crisafulli Government is opening Australia's first new oil field in 50 years. Here is what that actually means for fuel prices, construction costs, and whether it will change anything on site. When the Queensland Government announced it was unlocking the Taroom...
The Albanese Government has accelerated access to billions in concessional capital, with timber and housing supply among the direct beneficiaries. The federal government has moved to bring forward $6.15 billion in concessional capital under the National Reconstruction...
A state decision on lead-free product transitions has broken from a decade of coordinated national reform, raising concerns about regulatory fragmentation, supply disruption and the future of Australia's unified building code framework. Australia's nationally...
Both states have pushed the National Construction Code 2025 out to 1 May 2027. The ACT has followed. Victoria is pushing ahead on 1 May 2026. Here's what changed, what it means state by state, and what you need to do before you lodge your next building approval. The...
The oil shock that hit in late February has partially unwound. But copper is surging, the fuel excise snaps back on 1 July, and material prices already banked are not coming back down. Here is what builders need to know right now. Updated June 2026 When this article...
WorkSafe Victoria charged 67 employers with falls-related breaches last year, issuing $3.75 million in fines. Eleven workers died. Eleven workers did not go home last year because of falls on worksites. That number alone should be enough to stop any conversation...
A 19-storey student accommodation building has completed in Randwick, marking the latest delivery in one of Sydney's most active urban renewal corridors and raising questions the construction industry is increasingly being asked to answer: what does high-quality,...
A new 892-bed tower in Melbourne's CBD is a signal that institutional capital is still backing large-scale construction in Australia, and that the integrated builder-developer model may be the smarter path forward. Construction has started on one of Melbourne's...
The ABS February 2026 data shows a 29.7 per cent jump in total approvals. Here is what is actually driving it, and what it means for builders on the ground. The headline number looks impressive. Total dwelling approvals in Australia rose 29.7 per cent in February...
A detailed comparison of the two biggest cost shocks to hit Australian construction in living memory, and what the lessons of one tell us about surviving the other. The comparison gets made constantly now. Builders mention it on job sites. Industry bodies invoke it in...
A Commission of Inquiry is now asking the construction industry a direct question: does Queensland need a unified code of practice, and if so, what should it actually contain? The Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry...
A deep dive into what is driving material price spikes, what the government has done, what it has not done, and the three scenarios that will shape the next six to twelve months of construction in Australia. Something changed on 28 February 2026. US and Israeli forces...
New laws targeting union-enabled misconduct on construction sites have cleared Queensland Parliament, with the opposition voting against the reforms. Queensland construction sites have a new legal framework for how workplace safety information is accessed and used,...
The Australian Constructors Association has a new chief executive. Peter Colacino will step into the role on 4 May 2026, succeeding Jon Davies who has led the organisation for six years. Davies will stay on until June to support the handover. The appointment is...
A disruption to fuel distribution is creating new headwinds for Australian builders. Western Australia and New South Wales are both responding. But they are taking meaningfully different approaches to the same problem. The Problem on the Ground The construction...
If you have followed the housing debate over the past few years, you will have heard some version of this argument: too many migrants, not enough homes. It is a simple story. More people means more demand. More demand means higher prices. Cut immigration, fix housing....
Australian builders and plumbers are being warned to act now as escalating conflict in the Middle East begins to squeeze global PVC supply chains. Master Plumbers South Australia has issued a formal alert to members flagging emerging risks around the availability and...
With a federal election campaign now underway, the debate over negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount has returned to the centre of Australian housing policy. This time, the construction industry has numbers to back up its concern. Independent economic...
The QLD Government has moved to overhaul Queensland's State Facilitated Development pathway, scrapping the previous framework's ability to bypass local councils and replacing it with a process that requires written local government support before any project can...
Milestone at KDL Property Group’s Elridge community highlights progress in delivering more attainable housing across South East Queensland A key milestone has been reached in Queensland’s push to improve housing accessibility, with 200 homes now completed under the...
The Australian Government has appointed Anthea Harris as the nation’s first Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator, signalling a more coordinated and proactive approach to managing fuel security as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East begin to impact global supply...
Australia’s peak residential building body has called for a sweeping overhaul of the National Construction Code (NCC), warning that decades of regulatory expansion have made the system increasingly difficult for builders to navigate and are contributing to slower...
Strategic partnership signals growing momentum for modular construction in Australia’s housing sector A major new partnership between national construction company McNab and Gold Coast modular housing manufacturer ModnPods is set to accelerate the delivery of modular...
Western Australia’s latest government and industry actions highlight a broader issue for the building sector The smooth operation of Australia’s construction industry depends on many moving parts. Labour, materials, approvals and finance all play their role. Yet one...
Australia’s next decade of infrastructure development may depend not only on funding and planning approvals but increasingly on the availability of basic construction materials. That is the warning issued by Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) following...
Construction has begun on a series of new social housing developments in the regional New South Wales city of Goulburn, with a total of 55 homes planned as part of the state government’s broader effort to expand housing supply across regional communities. The projects...
The Australian Constructors Association wants governments to stop treating better workplaces as optional extras. The evidence backs them up. The construction industry has a workforce problem. Not just a shortage of numbers. A shortage of people who want to stay. The...
Australia's housing crisis gets discussed constantly. But most of the conversation circles the same few ideas. More supply. Tax reform. Interest rates. Stamp duty. Last week, a different idea got some oxygen. Treasurer Jim Chalmers met with a group of leading...
Australia’s residential construction pipeline tightened at the start of 2026, with new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing total dwelling approvals fell 7.2 per cent in January to 14,564 dwellings, continuing a volatile run for the sector. The...
As the countdown to the release of NCC 2025 continues, the Australian Building Codes Board has reaffirmed its commitment to productivity, clarity and collaboration across the residential construction sector. In his February update, ABCB CEO Adrian Piani outlined...
Luxury developer DARE Property Group has commenced construction on Saint David, a multi-million-dollar residential project in Melbourne’s inner-north suburb of Fitzroy, marking a further step in the company’s expansion into Victoria. The development will comprise 17...
The NSW Government has finalised a new framework designed to accelerate the delivery of housing-enabling infrastructure, releasing its updated Works-in-Kind Guideline alongside a suite of Infrastructure Opportunity Plans covering the state’s fastest-growing regions....
The Western Australian Government has introduced legislation to Parliament that would replace Project Bank Accounts with a deemed construction trust scheme for certain State Government construction projects. The proposed changes are contained in the Building and...
Northern Territory-based construction company DCOH has formally entered the Victorian market through the majority acquisition of Melbourne firm Unlimited Commercial Constructions, marking a significant milestone in the privately owned builder’s long-term national...
A major Japanese real estate investor has entered Brisbane’s tightening apartment market, taking a stake in a $190 million luxury development in the city’s inner west. Mitsubishi Estate Asia Pte. Ltd. has joined forces with McNab Group and Ray White Capital to back...
The Cook Government has announced a further boost to residential land supply in Albany, confirming the release of the first 20 lots in Stage 9 of the Oyster Harbour development at Bayonet Head. The move forms part of a broader strategy to maintain consistent land...
The NSW Government has confirmed the return of its flood buyback house auctions in the Northern Rivers, reviving one of the most distinctive housing initiatives in Australia. First launched following the region’s devastating floods, the program enables homes acquired...
The transformation of Adelaide’s former West End Brewery site has taken a significant step forward, with the South Australian Government confirming a local developer to lead the next stage of the Southwark Grounds redevelopment. Commercial & General has been...
ABS December 2025 preliminary figures show diverging conditions across sectors and states Australia’s construction sector ended 2025 broadly steady in headline terms, but the underlying detail tells a more nuanced story. According to the latest preliminary release...
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released its 2026 Policy Snapshot, outlining its advocacy priorities and reflecting on the global and domestic forces shaping Australia’s built environment. Framed by commentary from GBCA Head of Policy Shay Singh,...
The Property Council of Australia has called on the NSW Government to use the 2026–27 State Budget to address mounting feasibility pressures that are preventing thousands of approved apartments from progressing to construction. Ahead of the organisation’s 2026 NSW...
The Northern Rivers is entering what government officials describe as its most critical rebuilding phase since the devastating floods of 2022, with the clock now firmly ticking towards a March 2027 completion deadline. In a region-wide call to action, the NSW...
The New South Wales Government has announced a new compliance initiative aimed at improving transparency, fairness and integrity across the state’s building and construction industry. Led by the NSW Industrial Relations Construction Compliance Unit, known as the CCU,...
The Western Australian Government has moved to strengthen support for the state’s emerging build-to-rent sector, introducing legislation to increase land tax exemptions for eligible developments from 50 per cent to 75 per cent. The change, announced by the Government...
Tasmania has recorded the strongest growth in social and affordable housing stock of any Australian jurisdiction over the past four years, according to a new national report examining the revival of public housing construction. The report, The Revival of Social...
Tasmania’s housing debate has entered a new phase, with renewed attention on the Tasmanian Government’s decision to expand Greater Hobart’s Urban Growth Boundary, commonly referred to as the UGB. The decision, confirmed in 2025 and now part of broader consultation...
A new residential pool project emerging from Perth is drawing industry attention, with Tristan Peirce Landscape Architects and Contec Australia collaborating on what is believed to be the first 3D concrete printed swimming pool designed for delivery in Western...
Leadership transitions often signal more than a change in title. In many cases, they reflect a broader shift in direction, intent and ambition. At Timber Insight, the appointment of Craig Oatway marks such a moment. With a background spanning strategic leadership,...
A chance conversation, a late-night job, and the pull of family time have reshaped the career of 35-year-old Sefita Teuhema, who is now training as an apprentice plumber after nearly two decades in food manufacturing. Mr Teuhema spent years working night shift at a...
The Cook Government has opened two new Calls for Submissions aimed at accelerating the delivery of social and affordable housing across Western Australia, inviting builders, developers, and community housing providers to partner with the State on new housing supply....
Major reforms to New South Wales’ workers compensation system have passed State Parliament, delivering relief for employers across construction while strengthening recovery pathways for injured workers. The changes, described by the Government as the most significant...
A major new training investment at TAFE Queensland’s Toowoomba campus is set to strengthen the region’s plumbing and gas fitting workforce, addressing long-standing skills shortages across residential, commercial and infrastructure projects in the Darling Downs. The...
Australia’s construction industry is made up of people, real people; yet too often the sector is spoken about in headlines, statistics, and stereotypes. The 100 Faces of Construction campaign is aiming to change that. Launched as a bold new public awareness...
Australia’s residential construction pipeline ended 2025 with a sharp monthly pullback in approvals, according to the latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). However, when viewed across the full calendar year, total dwelling approvals...
The New South Wales Government has placed proposed regulatory changes on public exhibition that would establish a new Development Coordination Authority (DCA), positioning it as a single entry point for major planning referrals across the state. The reform is designed...
Australia’s building and construction industry is heading into one of its most consequential regulatory years in recent memory, with the preview of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 and a parallel push to modernise how the Code is developed, accessed and...
The Commonwealth and South Australian governments have reached a funding agreement aimed at unlocking the construction of up to 17,000 new homes across South Australia, including nearly 7,000 dwellings reserved for first home buyers. The $801.5 million deal brings...
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has urged the Australian Government to rule out any changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax in its 2026 tax review, warning that further tax instability would undermine new home construction and worsen Australia’s...
Australia’s housing industry is preparing to push the federal government to cut billions of dollars in regulatory costs, arguing that red tape is now one of the biggest barriers to building more homes and improving affordability. Industry leaders say up to $47.5...
A viral post on Reddit has reignited debate around truth in advertising within Australia’s real estate industry, after users highlighted a stark contrast between a property’s hero image and its actual appearance. The post, shared in the AusPropertyChat community,...
Queensland’s construction industry has been handed what the State Government is calling a “fresh start”. After years of frustration around red tape, labour shortages, rising costs and shrinking margins, the Crisafulli Government has committed to sweeping reforms aimed...
Australia is no stranger to natural disasters. Bushfires, floods and cyclones have become recurring features of the national calendar, displacing thousands of families each year. And when disaster strikes, Australia is generally good at the first response. Emergency...
There is a familiar moment on Australian building sites. Someone asks, “How are you going, mate?” The answer comes quickly. Too quickly. “Yeah mate, all good.” End of conversation. No follow-up. No eye contact. Back to work. It is not because builders and tradies do...
A locally based builder has been appointed to deliver new housing for rangers managing one of Australia’s most culturally significant landscapes, following a targeted investment by the Western Australian Government in regional Aboriginal employee housing....
What a 50-Year Planning Saga Tells Us About Housing Supply, Land Banking and Regional Growth After more than five decades of delays, disputes and dormant approvals, one of the largest residential developments on the New South Wales North Coast has finally reached a...
Australia’s housing market delivered a solid performance in 2025, but fresh data suggests the pace of growth is already easing as the market heads into a more uncertain 2026. New figures from Cotality show December recorded the smallest monthly increase in home values...
On Lismore’s northern edge, a major development opportunity is emerging that could help reshape the city’s future after years of devastating floods. A 75-hectare, flood-free landholding in Goonellabah is being formally launched this week, with proponents describing it...
Why patience, fundamentals and jobs matter more than hype Australia’s property market is often judged quarter by quarter. Prices up. Prices down. Panic one month, FOMO the next. But a new national report is deliberately looking past the noise. The Hotspotting National...
There is a moment after a fire has passed when the danger quietens, the smoke thins, and the truth becomes unavoidable. The home is gone. Not damaged. Not repairable. Gone. Across Victoria this week, hundreds of families are standing on blocks of land that once held...
A takeover proposal for BlueScope Steel is gaining momentum, with SGH Limited chief executive Ryan Stokes actively engaging major shareholders as expectations grow that any successful deal will need to exceed $15 billion. The approach, led by SGH Limited in...
Australians poured more than $53.8 billion into home renovations over the past financial year, with Brisbane emerging as the nation’s single biggest renovation hotspot. Fresh data shows the Queensland capital alone accounted for more than $1.08 billion in approved...
For an industry that creates the largest purchase most Australians will ever make, home building has always been strangely anonymous. Cars wear badges. Phones carry logos. Furniture, appliances, even sunglasses proudly declare who made them. But builders? They often...
Queensland’s housing market has entered 2026 with momentum that continues to outpace the rest of the country, even as growth slows across Australia’s largest southern capitals. New property data shows Brisbane housing values rose 1.6 per cent in December alone, while...
Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be a Standout Year for the Construction Industry There is something special about the start of a new year in construction. Sites are buzzing again. Diaries are filling up. Conversations feel sharper and more optimistic. Across the industry,...
Site works have officially commenced on a major residential precinct in the Maroochydore City Centre, marking a significant milestone for housing supply on the Sunshine Coast and setting the foundations for more than 1,800 new homes to be delivered over the coming...
Australian developer Billbergia has formally submitted plans to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) covering a major new mixed-use precinct at Rhodes in Sydney’s Inner West. Known as...
A major overhaul of New South Wales’ workers compensation scheme is set to proceed after the Government secured agreement with crossbench MPs on a reform package aimed at stabilising premiums and improving return-to-work outcomes across the state. The deal, announced...
Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC), the document that underpins how homes and buildings are designed and constructed across the country, is set for a significant rethink. In December 2025, the Australian Government released a discussion paper outlining a...
Master Builders Australia has confirmed Robert Shaw as its new National President, following last week’s annual general meeting. Shaw steps into the role at a pivotal moment for the building and construction sector, succeeding Craig Edmunds, who concludes three years...
Australia’s ageing population is reshaping the housing market, yet one element still lags behind in many masterplanned communities, social design. While builders and developers have made major advances in sustainability, accessibility and home efficiency, the...
The Queensland Government has moved to accelerate housing supply and secure a major Olympic legacy, unlocking more than three hectares of land at Yeerongpilly for new homes and a significant expansion of the Queensland Tennis Centre. The announcement marks one of the...
Australia’s housing crisis has become a defining challenge for governments, builders and communities. But amid debates about megaprojects, build-to-rent towers, and new masterplanned suburbs on the urban fringe, one piece of the puzzle has been hiding in plain sight....
Australia’s residential construction pipeline tightened again in October, with total dwelling approvals falling 6.4 per cent to 15,832, according to the latest seasonally adjusted figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The drop marks a reversal of...
For the first time in several years, smaller home builders across Queensland and Western Australia are quietly regaining momentum. They are not doing it by cutting prices or competing on volume. They are winning because buyers and developers are placing a premium on...
Australia’s construction numbers shifted again last week, and one detail is far more important than it first appears. Residential building rose, but engineering construction fell sharply. For home builders, that combination is more than a statistical quirk. It is a...
In Australia’s tight residential market, one often overlooked asset is quite literally above our heads. The unused rooftop and air-space over existing buildings is emerging as a serious development opportunity. It is not just about adding a level or two; it is about...
Australia’s housing crisis has already drawn in governments, super funds, and global private equity. Now, a new and unlikely pairing is stepping into the ring: a Melbourne investment manager with deep ties to Silicon Valley’s artificial intelligence boom, and a...
As Cyclone Fina tore through the Northern Territory and pushed a blanket of extreme heat across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, most of the headlines focused on power outages and storm damage. But for the construction industry, an equally serious...
If there is one thing most builders don’t talk about publicly, it’s what happens after handover. Warranty work. Maintenance confusion. Defect lists. Clients who swear they were never told what to do. The post-handover stage is still one of the biggest pain points in...
In November 2025, a major corruption investigation codenamed Operation Panton Hill culminated in the arrest of three individuals in the Darwin region. Among the charged: Michael Buckley (41), director at M+J Builders and board member of Master Builders NT, and a...
A Triple Win for the Festival State South Australia has once again claimed the title of Australia’s best place to do business, leading the nation in the 2025 Business Council of Australia (BCA) Regulation Rumble report, its third consecutive win. The independent BCA...
A Legacy of Local Trust Continues After six decades serving the Macedon Ranges, Frosts Timber & Building Supplies is entering a new era. The long-standing, family-run business synonymous with quality materials and trusted service has officially passed from the...
Strengthening Governance in Construction The Queensland Government has announced a new leadership team for the Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Authority, known as QLeave, appointing Damien Long as Chair and Matthew Byrne as Deputy...
A landmark land sale in Toowoomba’s sought-after suburb of Middle Ridge has set a new benchmark for the region, with an 8.55-hectare parcel on Hume Street selling for an eye-watering $23.7 million, the largest development-site transaction in the city since 2007. The...
A New Front in the Apprenticeship Pay Debate Australia’s apprenticeship system is facing a major test as group training organisations (GTOs) push back against a union-led bid that could overhaul how apprentices are paid and employed nationwide. The Communications,...
The Queensland construction industry has officially gone digital. More than 105,000 tradies, contractors, and builders now have access to their Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licences through the Queensland Digital Licence app, marking a major...
By TGB Editorial It looks more like something from a sci fi film than a suburban job site, but according to its creators, a spider like robot called Charlotte could soon be building homes on Australian soil. Unveiled this week at the International Astronautical...
The Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry has announced two upcoming blocks of public hearings, marking the next phase of its investigation into alleged corruption, coercion, and misconduct within one of Australia’s most...
Australia’s builders have given cautious support to the federal decision to audit the 10 billion dollar Housing Australia Future Fund, saying greater transparency will help get more dwellings out of the system. But they have also delivered a clear message to Canberra....
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in cyberattacks targeting Australia’s construction sector, with criminals using fake emails to steal millions from builders, suppliers and homeowners. The scam, known as Business Email...
Australia’s construction pipeline showed renewed signs of life in September 2025, as building approvals climbed sharply on the back of a surge in apartment projects. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the total number of dwellings approved rose 12...
In a landmark move for Australia’s labour movement, workers in the timber, furnishing and textiles sectors have formally broken away from the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), signalling a seismic shift for one of the country’s most powerful...
A Warning Shot for Australia’s Housing System White Picket Fence CEO Phil Leahy has issued one of the most direct calls yet for Australia to rethink how it delivers new homes, warning that without a renewed focus on greenfield development, the nation risks falling...
By The Good Builder Editorial Team More Than a Cost Saving Exercise When builders hear the word “outsourcing,” they often picture spreadsheets and savings. It sounds like a financial decision, a way to cut costs or plug a gap in the team. But for many forward thinking...
Japanese trading giant Marubeni Corporation has made its first move into Australia’s growing build-to-rent (BTR) sector, joining a $600 million Docklands development led by AsheMorgan, a signal of intensifying international interest in the nation’s evolving rental...
Avid’s Vantage Hervey Bay marks a milestone year as resort-style amenities and social connection take shape. On Queensland’s Fraser Coast, a new kind of neighbourhood is taking form, one built not only from brick and timber, but from connection. In less than twelve...
A Timely Boost for WA’s Tight Rental Market Western Australia has taken a decisive step to tackle its rental shortage with the launch of the $75 million Build-to-Rent (BTR) Kickstart Fund, now open for expressions of interest.Administered by Keystart, the initiative...
At a time when builders are facing material price volatility, workforce shortages and tight margins, Australia’s Building Ministers have taken a decisive step aimed at bringing stability back to the construction sector. Meeting last week, Commonwealth, state and...
Two years after the wildfires that devastated Maui, a new kind of community has risen from the ashes not just in name, but in spirit, design, and purpose. Ka La‘i Ola, meaning “the calm of life,” has become Hawai‘i’s largest modular housing community and the second...
A Long-Awaited Shift in Momentum After years of frustration over delays, cost blowouts and supply chain chaos, Australia’s home building industry has finally been handed some good news. According to Master Builders Australia’s (MBA) analysis of the latest Australian...
The Western Australian Government has opened public submissions for a statutory review of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, marking the first major opportunity for industry, workers and the community to provide feedback since the laws came into effect in 2022....
The roar of engines will echo across Surfers Paradise from 24–26 October as the MyConstruct Porsche takes to the track at the Gold Coast 500, proudly representing the builders, suppliers, and innovators driving Australia’s construction industry forward. For The Good...
A 25-Year Blueprint for Timber, Homes, and Regional Jobs Queensland’s new Future Timber Plan is being billed as the most significant forestry policy reform in a generation, a 25-year roadmap designed to secure a sustainable timber supply for one million homes by 2044....
Dispute Avoidance Boards could change the way Australian projects handle conflict before it even starts. Australia’s construction industry has entered a quiet but potentially transformative shift.In June 2025, Standards Australia released AS 4000:2025, the...
Certainty in an Uncertain Market In a housing market defined by volatility and caution, one builder is proving that clarity and confidence still sell homes. AVID Property Group’s in-house builder arm, Villaworld Homes, has sold out its initial release at the Élan...
Queensland’s newest environmental milestone is not just a win for conservation, it's a victory that ripples through housing, tourism, and local livelihoods. The Crisafulli Government has committed an additional $6 million to the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program...
A Step Toward Inclusion in the Trades Queensland’s construction industry has long struggled with one of the lowest female participation rates of any sector in Australia. But a new $20 million government program, the Women’s Career Grants could mark a turning point by...
Australia’s plan to deliver 1.2 million new homes over the next five years is facing a challenge that can’t be solved with land or funding alone, it’s about people. The newly released BuildSkills Australia Housing Capacity Study has laid bare a reality long felt on...
Australia’s steel sector, a critical pillar of the nation’s construction and infrastructure industries facing a defining challenge. While global demand for low-carbon steel is growing, the cost of energy threatens to undercut the industry’s transition toward a...
A Deep Dive into Queensland’s FY25 Housing Data Queensland’s housing market continues to defy national slowdowns, posting a 13.2% rise in new house approvals across the 2024–25 financial year, according to the latest report from OpenLot, using Australian Bureau of...
Australia’s most powerful construction union is once again under fire, this time, not over wages or safety, but credibility. New revelations that CFMEU Victorian and Tasmanian boss Zach Smith directed a subordinate to secretly meet with underworld identity Mick Gatto...
The NSW Government has announced a $23.9 million funding boost aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery across regional New South Wales, giving local councils the financial backing they need to unlock thousands of new homes. At a time when housing affordability and...
Western Australia’s housing sector has received a much-needed injection of talent, with more than 2,000 skilled construction workers heading west under two government-backed workforce programs: the Build a Life in WA (BALWA) incentive and the Construction Visa Subsidy...
Australia’s construction sector has taken a major step toward modernisation with the launch of Melbourne Polytechnic’s Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence (FHC CoE), a $50 million national hub dedicated to advancing modern methods of construction (MMC)...
A Melbourne-based developer has submitted plans for what could be one of Brisbane’s most ambitious inner-city redevelopment projects: a $2 billion mixed-use precinct, dubbed Riverside Lane, transforming 1.68 hectares of contaminated industrial land in West End into...
By The Good Builder Editorial Team Western Australia’s housing sector is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades — rising demand, rental pressures, and a shortfall of affordable dwellings. Against this backdrop, the Cook Labor Government has announced a $7.62...
The Northern Territory is testing a new model to address its chronic skills shortage, with Yuronga State High School partnering directly with major construction firms including Hutchinson Builders to embed trade training into the classroom. Building Skills Where...
In late 2025, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), backed by the Queensland Government, will begin rolling out digital licences via the Queensland Digital Licence app. It’s a change that’s been years in the making, designed to modernise an...
Australia’s construction workforce received a welcome boost this year, with trade apprenticeship completions reaching their highest level in a decade. But beneath the headline figure lies a more complex story of falling commencements, declining overall completions,...
Australia’s housing pipeline has taken another hit. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows building approvals fell sharply for the second month in a row, a signal that tomorrow’s housing supply is under real pressure. According to the ABS, total...
A boost for builders and apprentices on the NSW North Coast The future of the construction workforce on the NSW North Coast just received a major upgrade. TAFE NSW Kingscliff has officially opened two brand-new, purpose-built training facilities designed to replicate...
The NSW Government is pushing hard to ease the housing crisis, with five new modular homes taking shape in Lake Macquarie under its $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program. Four of the homes are already near completion and set to welcome new residents, while the...
On 22 September 2025, the National Construction Industry Forum (the Forum) formally endorsed the Blueprint for the Future. It’s a document years in the making, but its endorsement signals something bigger than another policy paper—it’s the start of a cultural reset...
On 1 October 2025, all eyes in Queensland’s construction industry will turn to Courtroom 17 at Brisbane Magistrates Court. It’s there that the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry will officially open its public hearings, an...
Allegations of coercion, inflated project spending, and opaque financial flows have thrown a spotlight on Incolink, a union-linked redundancy and benefits fund now operating in South Australia. Builders claim the scheme, closely tied to the Construction, Forestry,...
In Burpengary East, a quiet kind of milestone is about to be reached. On Maitland Road, nestled within a KDL estate, a purpose-built childcare centre is preparing for handover to its new tenant, Happy Hearts, and behind its thoughtful design and quality delivery is a...
A Turning Point for Queensland Timber Queensland’s timber industry, a sector employing thousands across regional communities, is set for its most comprehensive long-term strategy in decades. The Crisafulli Government has announced that consultation has now closed on...
Australia’s construction industry is staring down a $60 billion-a-year opportunity and the message from the nation’s top leaders is clear: it’s time to stop talking about productivity and start delivering it. In what some are calling the industry’s equivalent of a COP...
By The Good Builder Editorial Team Australia’s housing affordability crunch is fuelling fresh investment strategies, and the land lease sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing models. This week, investment bank Macquarie joined the ranks of major players like...
The Victorian Government is moving to reset the balance on jobsites across Victoria, with new legislation designed to give subcontractors more security and confidence that their hard work will be paid for, on time and in full. This week, Housing and Building Minister...
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has issued a pointed submission to the Queensland Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the state’s construction sector, outlining six key reforms it says are critical to lifting productivity, reducing risk, and protecting...
By TGB Editorial A Growing Risk Hiding in Plain Sight For decades, builders have accepted the dangers of construction work: heavy machinery, working at heights, unpredictable weather, and the constant churn of subcontractors. But in recent years, a new risk has crept...
Australia is facing a housing supply crunch like never before, and at its core is a severe shortage of skilled tradespeople, the “tradies” essential to building homes. This crunch comes at a time of record population growth driven by immigration, creating soaring...
Australia’s construction sector has long relied on the next generation of skilled tradespeople to drive standards higher and keep the industry resilient. This week, that next generation stepped firmly into the spotlight. WorldSkills Australia has announced its...
Australia’s home building industry is on track for more than one million new housing starts over the next five years, according to the Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) latest quarterly Housing and Economic Outlook Report. The upgraded forecast lifted from 986,000...
A new approach to community housing Queensland has taken a decisive step in tackling the state’s housing crisis, launching an “always-open” community housing procurement process designed to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes. The Queensland Community Housing...
Brisbane has officially joined the ranks of the economic heavyweights. For the first time in history, the city’s economy has broken the $200 billion barrier, marking a defining moment in its rise as one of the fastest-growing urban economies in Australia and the Asia...
South Australia has emerged as the nation’s frontrunner in residential construction, with new data showing record levels of building activity and economic contribution. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures reveal that in the June 2025 quarter,...
The Victorian Government’s decision to expand Free TAFE into plumbing short courses is reshaping the way the state trains and licenses its next generation of tradespeople. By cutting down the time and cost it takes to up-skill, the initiative is giving aspiring and...
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced that the property and construction industry will be its small business focus area for the current quarter. The move reflects both the sector’s economic significance and its record when it comes to tax compliance. The...
The Australian property and construction sector is under growing pressure to confront one of the most uncomfortable issues in global supply chains: modern slavery. A new guide released by the Property Council of Australia and ERM, Indicators of Vulnerability to Modern...
The Western Australian Government has announced plans to establish a WA Productivity Commission in 2026, merging the functions of Infrastructure WA (IWA) and the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA). The new body is being pitched as a centre of excellence to boost...
The Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act 2025 came into effect on 1 July, ushering in one of the most significant reforms to Victoria’s building landscape in decades. At the centre of these changes is the establishment of the new Building &...
The Albanese government has confirmed it will pause further changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) until 2029, citing “sheer complexity” and the need to give builders space to deliver homes without navigating constant red tape. The announcement follows the...
In the world of construction, the best innovations often start where few expect in a garage, with a big idea, a bit of stubbornness, and a lot of trial and error. For Sunshine Coast couple Kirstee and Shane, the founders of Goop Guys, that combination turned a small...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut the cash rate again, this time by 25 basis points to 3.6 per cent. It’s the third cut in 2025, following earlier moves in February and May, and it marks the lowest rate since mid 2022. For homeowners, this means some welcome...
South Australia’s first home buyers have received a record injection of government support, with more than $120 million in stamp duty relief and First Home Owner Grants delivered over the past financial year, a policy the Malinauskas Labor Government says is directly...
The Allan Labor Government has announced a new push to strengthen Victoria’s construction workforce, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Master Builders Victoria (MBV) and the Victorian TAFE Network. The aim is simple but urgent, more skilled people to...
Summary Housing Minister Clare O’Neil has told industry leaders she’s open to slowing down the pace of National Construction Code changes and cutting unnecessary regulation. The aim? To help builders and developers deliver more homes, more quickly, without sacrificing...
NZ’s Housing Slump. What It Means for Australian Builders House prices in New Zealand have dropped back to pre pandemic levels. Rents are down. Construction has slowed. On paper, it’s the kind of correction affordability advocates dream about. But here in Australia?...
From Damp Tarmac to the Podium Queensland Raceway’s return to the Carrera Cup calendar brought challenging wet conditions, and an impressive P2 finish for Brett Boulton in the MyConstruct Porsche. The Pro-Am podium came at the halfway point of the championship and...
As housing pressures mount across the country—from workforce shortages to material inflation—builders and developers are increasingly exploring new ways to deliver faster, more sustainable homes. And at the centre of this next frontier? A machine that prints walls. 3D...
It’s not often an industry event feels like more than a date on the calendar. But on Friday 18 July, Meadowbrook Golf Course became the stage for something bigger than the game. The AVIA Homes Charity Golf Day brought together more than 100 builders, suppliers, and...
At Elridge Estate in Jimboomba, the sun shone on more than a slab pour. It illuminated what true collaboration looks like, a developer, a builder, suppliers, engineers, and trades all standing together to celebrate an achievement that speaks volumes about what can be...
A Pour That Represents Progress This month, something quietly powerful is happening on site at Elridge Estate in Jimboomba: the 100th Biax slab will be poured. It’s not a ribbon-cutting or a marketing stunt. It’s a working example of what happens when builders lean...
Summary: Australia’s population grew by nearly 450,000 last year. While governments tinker with planning reforms, demand from investors, migrants, and families moving inland is stacking up fast. For those in the industry, this is not just a demographic stat. It is...
Summary: In a recent article for realestateconversation.com.au, McGrath CEO John McGrath revealed new insights into how first home buyers are entering the market in 2025. With investor-first buyers on the rise, government schemes evolving, and preferences shifting...
Summary: The City of Adelaide has launched a creative new funding scheme offering up to $50,000 to convert heritage-listed shop-tops and commercial buildings into residential dwellings. The ARCHI Incentives Scheme encourages adaptive reuse, giving builders and...
Summary: Australia’s housing shortfall continues to grow, but new partnerships between China and Australia in prefabricated construction could provide a faster, more efficient way to scale up housing. With billions already invested in prefab imports and a wave of...
There’s a simple truth in our industry; it’s easy to talk about mental health, but it’s a lot harder to create the spaces where those conversations actually happen. That’s why we started TGB Fridays, and why last Friday night’s very first event on the Sunshine Coast...
When Ed Ross co-founded TradeMutt, it wasn’t to make a fashion statement. It was to start a conversation—the kind of conversation that could save a life. Speaking on The Good Builder Podcast, Ed shared how a single idea between two tradies on a job site turned into a...
When Hannah Keirl walks onto a job site, she’s not just showing up for herself. She’s walking in for the thousands of women who never saw this pathway as possible. As the Manager - Community Relations, Marketing & Projects at Carpentry Australia, Keirl is...
In an industry where hard hats are mandatory and vulnerability is often masked behind bravado, a new campaign is using rugby league to tackle an invisible crisis head-on. The Good Builder, in partnership with the Gold Coast Titans, Lauxes Grates, and mental health...
Despite elevated costs and insolvency pressures, forecasts suggest a more stable market on the horizon. Builders who adapt now can position themselves for future growth. The Australian construction industry continues to face significant cost pressures, with builders...
Global building materials giant Saint-Gobain has officially acquired CSR, marking a major shift in the supply chain landscape for Australian builders and suppliers. In a move set to redefine the Australian construction supply chain, global building materials leader...
Brisbane’s lord mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced a sweeping review into low-to-medium density residential zoning (LMR), marking a bold move to tackle the housing affordability crisis head-on. With only 445 homes built in these LMR areas in 2023 — down from a...
The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut interest rates for the second time in as many months, lowering the official cash rate to 3.85%. It’s a clear signal: the RBA is shifting gears to reignite confidence and get the economy moving again. But while the headlines focus...
A billionaire exits, a Dubai developer steps in, and $20 million hits the table. This isn’t your average acquisition—it’s a story of legacy, timing, and the shifting tides of Australian construction. And it might just be the start of something big. Arada’s Arrival: A...
The Sydney Build Expo brought the energy, and then some for 2 BIG Days! As the doors opened at ICC Sydney, the vibe was electric. Builders, designers, suppliers, engineers, and innovators swarmed the floors for another packed schedule of practical workshops,...
In a landmark move poised to reshape Australia’s property landscape, U.S.-based CoStar Group has agreed to acquire Domain Holdings Australia for A$3 billion (approximately US$1.9 billion). This acquisition, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, positions...
Day 1 is done — and what a brilliant way to kick things off. The halls of ICC Sydney were packed from the start, buzzing with builders, tradies, suppliers, architects, and project managers from across the country. From keynote...
The Queensland Government has launched the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund (RAF) to fast-track the delivery of essential infrastructure and unlock residential development across the state. This initiative is a key component of the “Securing Our Housing...
The Bank of Mum and Dad has long been a fixture in Australia’s property market. But new findings from Mozo’s Bank of Mum and Dad Report 2025 suggest the role of parents in helping their children buy homes has evolved from lender to legacy-maker. In 2025, this informal...
Two nests of the invasive red imported fire ant has been detected and destroyed in Harmony Estate in Palmview on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, raising concerns across the construction industry and local communities. The detection, confirmed by Biosecurity Queensland,...
The Queensland Government has kicked off a wide-reaching inquiry into the productivity of the state’s building and construction sector, a move that could reshape how projects are approved, delivered, and managed for years to come. Under direction from Treasurer and...
What if you could design a home from your laptop…and have it built, delivered, and assembled at a fraction of today's build costs? At The Good Builder, we’ll always keep a close eye on developments that could reshape the way homes are conceived and constructed and how...
Industry applauds move but calls for broader reform to truly fix housing supply. In a bold move welcomed across the property and construction sector, the Queensland Government has abolished stamp duty for first home buyers. This...
Is it time for the QBCC to open up its books? There were 6,115 defective work complaints and 1,301 directions to rectify made against builders in the last financial year. This trove of complaints is the only up-to-date data source on: Which elements of our new home...
Not everyone wants to talk about council announcements and land strategy, but this one could shape the next 20 years of building work just north of Brisbane. If you're in the game builder, tradie, estimator, or just someone who wants to stay ahead then what’s...
As Australia approaches the 2025 federal election, both major political parties have unveiled ambitious housing policies aimed at assisting first-home buyers. While these initiatives are designed to improve housing affordability, they may inadvertently recreate the...
Not everyone’s got time for election chatter on Easter Sunday, but if after the long weekend you're straight back into pricing up a job or trying to hire your next apprentice, the way government handles housing is going to hit you one way or another. Both major...
With an election around the corner, both major parties have started rolling out big promises for home buyers. On paper, the numbers sound impressive: $10 billion to help build 100,000 new homes, tax breaks for new builds, and tens of thousands of places in the Home...
One thing we can all agree on is that Trump is great for a headline. There’s been a lot of noise out of the US lately. Trump’s back at it, throwing tariff-shaped grenades and rattling global trade. Feels like a rerun, doesn’t it? But the kicker is this: what’s...
Not everyone gets excited about government policy announcements (or even has the time to, for that matter), but this one might actually mean something for those looking at Queensland’s pipeline. For those in Queensland, the new government is putting serious cash...
Who's keen to talk about building approvals on Friday afternoon? Maybe not. We hear you. If you’re in the trade or trying to get a job off the ground, this one’s worth a look to bring some positivity into your weekend. February’s figures from the ABS were out this...
If politics and federal budgets aren’t your thing, we’re assuming you didn’t click to read this anyway, so here we go. Whether you're on the tools, running a business, or trying to get a project over the line, a federal election always brings some uncertainty... and...
The Federal Help to Buy scheme, where first home buyers partner with the government to purchase a home, has been significantly revamped. After criticism from The Good Builder and others, the scheme's income and property price caps have been increased to make it more...
Well, here it is. The Queensland Government just dropped their blockbuster announcement today, March 25, 2025, that got the construction industry buzzing yesterday afternoon. If you’ve been tracking the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games like it’s your next big opportunity,...
Alright, folks, the 2025-26 Federal Budget landed tonight, and if you’re one of those builders, tradies, business owners, or project managers who’ve been waiting with bated breath for Treasurer Jim Chalmers' announcement, hats off, you’re already on top of it. For the...
Whilst you were out enjoying your weekend (hopefully), the industry got a lift from the Federal Budget on Saturday, 22nd March 2025, with new housing initiatives that have the Housing Industry Association (HIA) celebrating the win. Managing Director Jocelyn Martin...
In a huge boost for the prospects of the home building industry in South Australia, the State Government plans to rezone approximately 7,324 hectares of land currently designated for agricultural use around Greater Adelaide into developable residential land, paving...
The Queensland Government has launched the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund (RAF) to tackle the state’s housing crisis. They’re not mucking around, either. Money will start to flow to developers and councils from July 2025, with applications opening in April...
“If we want the industry to get better, we have to get better,” says Duayne Pearce, builder, mentor, and host of The Level Up podcast. It’s a sentiment that’s not only fueling conversations across building sites but also sparking a movement one where upskilling,...
If you’re not one for stats, here’s the bottom line: approvals for large apartment projects surged in January, while detached home approvals remain sluggish. But before we celebrate, it’s important to understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. A Surge in...
Over 300 builders, suppliers and other professionals jostled into the Brisbane Convention Centre for HIA’s annual State of the Nation breakfast in Brisbane on Tuesday morning. With the TGB team on site, Peter Loves gives the official Good Builder event recap. Senator...
Australia's housing supply challenges keep making headlines (especially around election time), with pressures felt across the industry. But for builders running everyday businesses, the impact is not just about market trends but the day-to-day realities of keeping...
If you're not talking about the growing trades shortages and the urgent need for more young apprentices, you're probably living under a rock. It's one of many ongoing headaches for those in the construction industry, and with infrastructure demands soaring, finding...
Yesterday, (Friday 14th of March 2025 if you're reading this later on), the Australian Government responded to the Murray Review, marking an important step towards addressing payment issues within the building and construction industry. With an election on the...
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has left its mark on South East Queensland, with widespread damage sparking a surge in insurance claims. For insurance builders, this means an intense pipeline of work ahead, with urgent repairs needed across homes and businesses. Hew...
Straight off the back of the Cyclone Alfred news cycle, everyone is talking about the steel and aluminium tariffs. But more so, Trump, the comments of former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and the shock exclusion of Australia from US tariff exemptions via...
In the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, communities across South East Queensland and northern New South Whales are actively engaging in extensive clean-ups. The storm brought unprecedented rainfall and severe flooding, leading to widespread property damage and...
Builders are taking to all their sites across South East Queensland (SEQ) and northern NSW today to prepare for the impending arrival of Cyclone Alfred. With an estimated arrival Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, building sites from Tewantin to potentially...
As the federal election draws nearer, the industry bodies are letting both sides of politics know what they are looking for. The HIA have laid out a comprehensive set of imperatives for both side of politics on their website. HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn...
In a boost to home builders across the State, the QLD government has abolished stamp duty on new homes for first home buyers. Treasurer and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki said thousands of Queenslanders will benefit from the change which will start on 1...
A new Productivity Commission report into the construction industry has called for urgent reforms to fix Australia’s housing affordability crisis. Housing construction productivity: Can we fix it? said the sheer volume of regulation has a deadening effect on...
In what could be the biggest turning point in the year for construction, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has dropped interest rates for the first time since 2020. The RBA has announced a 0.25 percentage points reduction. The cash rate...
Still scarred by the COVID experience, some builders are fearful the price of building materials could soon get out of hand. The recent release of Core Logic’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) showed residential construction costs grew 3.4% over the 12 months to...
The state government is expected to abolish stamp duty on new homes for first home buyers in this week’s first Parliament Sitting of the year. Low Deposit Homes Director, Chaice Paterson has called it one of the best policies that’s been implemented for a very long...
Pressure is mounting on the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates at its first board meeting of the year which started today and will conclude with an announcement tomorrow. Some of Australia’s best known builders have joined the chorus calling for a cut,...
Subbies have come out swinging against the Queensland State Government’s decision to pause the future rollout of the Project Trust Account program. Phase 3 of the program, which was expected to commence on 1 March 2025, was going to require public or private...
Former Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson has called on his old council and the new state government to get the new planning scheme sorted as soon as possible or risk losing opportunities to address the affordable housing crisis. Jamieson said people crying out for...
Australia’s land lease sector is booming on the back of our aging population. About one in six Australians is now aged over 65 years, and more are downsizing into land lease retirement communities. The land lease model has quickly grown into a $12 billion...
This week five years ago the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Australia. It set off a chain reaction through the building industry which brought down some of the best and brightest, while many others carry the scars of those tumultuous times. The basics of this...
What makes a 'good' builder? Your closest friend walks up to you and asks if you know a good builder. It's likely one of the biggest investments of their life. Who do you trust? It's simple: trust is based on certainty. Certainty that the builder will deliver the home...
Builders in Queensland have defied the doomsdayers and recorded strong growth in the first half of the financial year. Australian Construction Data’s The Top 25 Queensland Building Half Time Report shows Metricon at the top of the table with 751 builds underway - and...
Securing land in Queensland’s highly sought after South East corner seems to be akin to finding a park at Suncorp Stadium on Game Day. Queensland and New South Wales State Manager of OpenLot.com.au Con Sgouros, an online land marketplace said Queensland is one...
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made an election year move to support apprentices working in residential construction by offering a $10,000 cash bonus for apprentices. With the industry struggling with serious workforce shortages this policy aims to build the...
One of Queensland’s most successful mortgage brokers has called for the Federal Government to increase the cap for its new Help to Buy scheme as the current $700,000 limit will make it nearly impossible to find a property in South East Queensland.
Two blokes and a warehouse of brilliantly bright workwear are trying to tackle the scourge of suicide in the construction industry one shirt at a time. After losing a close mate to suicide, Dan Allen and Ed Ross started Trade Mutts, a social enterprise workwear company by tradies for tradies.
Our nation’s home building industry is the backbone of this country and its economy.
There is no doubt our industry has challenges, however the traditional media consistently paints a dire picture of insolvencies, delays and unaffordability.
The reality is that many in the industry are doing a bloody good job delivering well-built homes with consistently happy clients and running sustainable, profitable businesses.
Every Australian should expect to come home safe and well from work each day – but in the construction industry that is all too often not the case. About 30 people are killed on building sites each year in this country, and according to SafeWork Australia, there are a...
Amanda Bulow is a construction industry professional, and founder and CEO of Awesome Women In Construction Estimating a job is a critical part of any project and getting it wrong can lead to financial and reputational damage. While many professionals have their...
The proposed “Park Lakes 3” development in Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast has had it’s Development Application denied 10 to 1 by the Sunshine Coast Council. The Application sought a preliminary approval for a Master Planned Development including low density and...
Editor's note: This article was originally published in January 2024. Since publication, Rivermont's first land release proceeded in early 2025 and civil works have continued to progress. The Waraba Priority Development Area was formally declared in August 2024. For...
LATEST NEWS
Treasurer David Janetzki handed down the Crisafulli Government's second budget on Tuesday, and for the construction industry the headline is straightforward. The state's four year capital program has climbed to a record $119.242 billion, the Residential Activation...
The Minns government has handed down its fourth budget with housing delivery and construction pipeline front and centre. Here is what builders operating in NSW need to know. The NSW Government handed down its 2026-27 Budget on 23 June, and for builders and...
Western Australia’s Construction Training Fund has opened applications for a $10 million capital grant round aimed at private training providers. The pool has nearly doubled in two years, and the priorities tell you where the state thinks the workforce gap is. Western...
Anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imported steel have stacked up fast this year. Layered on top of WT's forecast that building costs stay above 5 per cent, the message for anyone pricing structural steel is simple. Re-cost now. If you are quoting a job with...