Optimising building system key to delivering more homes and better buildings faster

Great news for Global GreenTag certified products and manufacturers pitching into future Australian housing developments

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has welcomed the release of The Treasury's interim report on modernising the National Construction Code (NCC),
saying reform is critical to unlocking housing supply, improving construction productivity and maintaining the standards that deliver efficient, comfortable and high-performing buildings.

GBCA Chief Executive Davina Rooney said the report provides welcome clarity and supports the direction of current reforms as the NCC continues to roll out nationally.

"The challenge is clear – Australia needs to deliver more homes, faster, while maintaining the standards that make them efficient, comfortable and affordable to run," Ms Rooney said.

"We've got to pick up the pace on delivery, but we can't lose sight of what makes buildings work for the people using them every day."

The NCC interim report identifies key reform directions including simplifying the NCC, restoring national consistency and reducing the cost of demonstrating compliance.

Ms Rooney said the reform directions align closely with GBCA's long-standing advocacy to modernise the NCC and support a more productive, nationally consistent building system.

"A clearer, more consistent national code gives industry greater confidence and helps unlock housing supply without compromising building performance," she said.

Ms Rooney said it is critical that reforms maintain the progress made in energy efficiency and liveability.

"We've made real progress on energy efficiency, and that's already helping households reduce their energy bills and live more comfortably in their homes," Ms Rooney said.

"These are practical benefits people feel every day, and they should be part of how we think about housing affordability."

Ms Rooney said the report provides important clarity at a critical time, as NCC 2025 begins rolling out from tomorrow in Victoria and New South Wales, with Queensland, the ACT and South Australia following from 1 May
2027.

"This builds on the progress already made through recent changes," Ms Rooney said.

"The improvements introduced through NCC 2022 are already delivering real benefits, including lower energy bills for households and more comfortable homes."

"We welcome the report's support for the direction of current reforms and the continued rollout of these important changes across the country."

The release follows the State of the Housing System 2026 report, which highlights ongoing pressure on housing supply and affordability across the country.
Ms Rooney said improving how the system works will be key to meeting that challenge.

"If we want to deliver more homes, we need a system that is clearer and more consistent from start to finish," she said.

"And we need to make sure those homes are built to perform well over time, including being more resilient and better suited to future conditions."
She said the opportunity now is to simplify the system while keeping the standards that matter.

"We can make it easier and faster to build without going backwards on the things that improve people's day-to day lives," Ms Rooney said.

"That's how we deliver homes that are not just quicker to build, but better to live in."

Ms Rooney said there is broad alignment across industry on the need for reform, even where views differ on the detail.

"Everyone wants to see a more productive sector, more innovation and more homes delivered cost-effectively, while continuing to provide safe, healthy and high-performing buildings," Ms Rooney said.

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About GBCA:

Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is the nation's authority on sustainable buildings and communities. Its mission is to accelerate the transformation of Australia's built environment into one that is healthy, liveable, productive, resilient and sustainable. GBCA works with industry and government to encourage policies and programs that support their mission. They educate thousands of people each year on how to design and deliver sustainable outcomes for Australia's buildings and communities. And operate Australia's largest national, voluntary,
holistic rating system for sustainable buildings and communities - Green Star.

Contact information:

Megan Towill
Senior Manager – Communications and Media
Green Building Council of Australia
0433 885 719 | | www.gbca.org.au
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