National Construction Code Interim Report a positive step forward

30 April 2026

Master Builders Australia has welcomed the positive steps forward set out in the National Construction Code (NCC) Modernisation Project Interim Report.

The message within is clear, the NCC is no longer fit for purpose. The direction of the report’s recommendations reflect much of what builders have been asking for including that:

• referenced Australian Standards should be free to access
• the roles and responsibilities of Ministers, policy makers and technical bodies must be clear, accountable and transparent
• a clearer process should be introduced for industry-led change proposals that is transparent, including the composition and role of technical committees
• a robust cost benefit analyses should be adopted that captures cumulative, downstream and lifecycle costs, not just first-order impacts, drawing on technical expertise and evidence
• a nationally consistent approach is needed as is an interrogation of state and territory variations.

The report includes other positive recommendations and over the longer term commits to deepening the evidence base, testing potential reform options, and assessing implementation impacts.

The need to reduce barriers to increase housing supply, such as the NCC, was further reinforced by the release today of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council forecasts. They showed a Housing Accord shortfall of 220,000 homes by 2029, similar to Master Builder’s latest forecasts of a 204,000 shortfall.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn welcomed the NCC interim report recommendations and said the evidence supporting the need to cut red tape to increase supply was clear.

“The evidence shows the need for a fundamental shift in the system, and we need all levels of government to commit to seeing this through to support increasing housing supply and affordability.

“As we attested to at a recent Parliamentary Hearing, the Productivity Commission estimates that regulatory burden can cost up to $320,000 per new house. This drives up costs for builders and ultimately for Australians trying to buy or rent a home.

“Other supply barriers must also be addressed by unlocking more investment, growing our workforce and delivering more enabling infrastructure.

“This interim report, alongside the recently announced $45 million over 4 years to progress bilateral agreements with states and territories that will reduce duplication under the EPBC Act, is appreciated.

“Master Builders looks forward to further engagement with the review panel to ensure the final report leads to action on its short- and longer-term aspirations, genuine red tape cuts and boosts to productivity,” said Ms Wawn.

Media contact: Dylan Hafey, Media Advisor

0497 330 064 | dylan.hafey@masterbuilders.com.au