The Queensland Government has released a draft Queensland Housing Code (QHC) for consultation, and it could mark a significant shift in how homes are designed, sited, and approved across the state.
For builders, certifiers, and developers working across multiple councils, this proposal is not just a policy update, it is a chance to fix a system that many believe is outdated, inconsistent, and unfit for the pace and scale of modern housing delivery.
But that will only happen if industry professionals speak up.
What Is the Draft QHC?
The Draft Queensland Housing Code has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders to establish a consistent set of design and siting standards for detached homes on standard residential lots throughout Queensland.
It is intended to replace QDC 1.1 (for lots under 450m²) and QDC 1.2 (for lots over 450m²), which have not been substantially updated in over a decade. In that time, building methods, design preferences, planning expectations, and housing demand have evolved dramatically.
At present, 56 of Queensland’s 77 local councils apply their own design and siting rules — creating an administrative minefield for any builder or certifier trying to operate across regions. The result is increased cost, inefficiency, and frustration across the board.
Why This Matters to Builders
Consistency in planning policy is not a luxury — it is a necessity. With many builders already grappling with thin margins, supply constraints, and workforce challenges, the complexity caused by differing local planning rules only adds to the burden.
The QHC proposes to:
- Reduce the need for local variations and planning approvals
- Offer a streamlined set of design standards for detached dwellings
- Reflect more contemporary housing design principles
- Improve housing diversity and support choice across the market
- Simplify the process for industry, councils, and the broader community
But here is the key point: if these reforms are going to work, they must be tested against real-world experience. The only way to ensure the code is fit for purpose is for builders and construction professionals to provide practical, detailed feedback during this consultation period.
This is your opportunity to influence the rules that will shape how homes are delivered for years to come.
What the Consultation Covers
The Government is seeking feedback through a four-part survey that takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. You do not need to complete every section, only the parts that relate to your expertise or experience.
Part 1: Technical Provisions
Assesses whether the draft design and siting standards align with current home designs, block shapes, and construction practices in Queensland.
Part 2: Application Rules
Explores how the QHC would apply in practice, including what types of dwellings it covers, how local governments might retain some flexibility, and how the code would interact with existing Plans of Development.
Part 3: Outcomes and Usability
Focuses on the clarity and effectiveness of the proposed code. Does it make approvals easier? Are the rules well explained and workable on site?
Part 4: About You
Collects information on who is responding, to help balance feedback across sectors and understand the diversity of views being submitted.
Supporting documents and illustrations are encouraged and can be attached to your submission.
Submission Deadline
Feedback closes at midnight on Thursday 31 July 2025.
This is a hard deadline, and once it passes, your opportunity to help shape the final version of the QHC will be lost.
Access the Draft Code and Have Your Say
To participate, visit the link below:
The Good Builder’s View
At The Good Builder, we regularly hear from builders who are frustrated by inconsistent rules, protracted approvals, and red tape that adds unnecessary cost to housing delivery. We also know that those closest to the ground, the professionals who deliver projects day in and day out, are often the ones left out of the planning conversation.
This is a rare chance to change that.
If the Government receives strong, constructive, and well-informed feedback from across the industry, we are more likely to see a code that is practical, scalable, and genuinely helpful. If we stay silent, the result may be a policy shaped without the insight of those who work with it every day.
We encourage every builder, certifier, consultant, or supplier who is impacted by local siting rules to take time to review the draft and complete the survey.
This is not just a planning code. It is a foundation for the homes we will build over the next decade, and we all have a role to play in getting it right.
Author: TGB Editorial
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