Albanese government to freeze construction code until 2029, fast-track housing approvals
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil wants to make it easier to build a home in Australia. (AAP Image: Bianca de Marchi)
The federal government is moving to speed up decisions on housing approvals and limit further changes to the lengthy National Construction Code, just days after being urged to do so by the Economic Reform Roundtable.
Once this year's scheduled updates to the 2,000-page National Construction Code are finalised, further changes will be paused until mid-2029, excluding anything relating to essential safety and quality.
The next round of changes to the code were due in 2028. The decision means any further changes to improve energy efficiency or environmental impacts will be paused for at least a year.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers addresses the Economic Reform Roundtable on Thursday. (ABC News: Simon Beardsell)
During the pause, the government will consider taking further steps to help tradies navigate the code, including by using artificial intelligence.
It will also consider moving from regular reviews of the code every three years to a longer cycle.
"It's too hard to build a home in this country," Housing Minister Clare O'Neil said.
"We want builders on site, not filling in forms to get their approval."
During this year's election campaign, Labor criticised the Coalition's promise to freeze the National Construction Code for 10 years.
Separately, Environment Minister Murray Watt said he would fast-track decisions on applications before his department to build more than 26,000 new homes.
The move doesn't guarantee approvals will be granted, only that decisions will be made more quickly.
"Fast-tracked projects will continue to be required to meet all environmental requirements," Senator Watt said.
"But [the fast-tracked decisions] will incentivise developers to provide required information up-front."
The government also says it's taking further action on other suggestions offered by the round table, including reducing barriers to more superannuation investment in housing supply, encouraging further uptake of modern methods of construction including prefab housing, and working with the states to accelerate approvals.