Regional and metropolitan builder markets in NSW: how they differ
Regional and metropolitan building look similar on a plan and very different in the accounts. Travel, freight and the labour pool decide which is the better place to focus.
11 min read
Topic
NSW
Articles and news about NSW for Australian builders.
Regional and metropolitan builder markets in NSW: how they differ
Regional and metropolitan building look similar on a plan and very different in the accounts. Travel, freight and the labour pool decide which is the better place to focus.
11 min read
NSW pool barrier rules: what builders and renovators need to get right before summer
Pool barriers are one of the few building elements where a small defect can cost a child’s life. With pool season approaching, here is what NSW law requires, which standard applies, and the renovation trap that catches builders out.
7 min read
How to get a builder’s licence in NSW in 2026: qualifications, experience and the new police check
A NSW contractor licence for general building work needs an approved qualification, at least two years of supervised experience across a wide range of building work and, since 23 June 2026, a National Police Check. Here is how the process works and where applications fail.
7 min read
The National Housing Accord explained: the 1.2 million homes target and what it means for builders
The National Housing Accord commits governments to 1.2 million new homes in five years from mid-2024. Two years in, the target is behind schedule. Here is how it works, where it stands, and what it means for builders.
8 min read
Statutory warranties in NSW: six years, two years, and what counts as a major defect
Every NSW residential building contract carries statutory warranties that cannot be contracted out of. What they promise, how long they last, what counts as a major defect, and how builders should handle defect claims.
7 min read
Approvals fall 3.6% in July, with house approvals down in every state
Australia approved 17,687 new dwellings in July, down 3.6% on June. Private house approvals fell in every state for which data was published, and NSW total approvals dropped 8.1%. Annual growth remains positive.
6 min read
Flood-resilient homes: floor levels, materials and services that recover after water
Flooding is the most costly natural hazard for Australian homes. Planning rules set minimum floor levels, but materials, services and detailing decide how quickly a home recovers when water gets in anyway.
8 min read
Building in bushfire-prone areas: BAL ratings explained, and the details that keep embers out
Most houses lost in bushfires are ignited by embers, not the fire front. The bushfire attack level decides what a new home must resist, and the small details, gaps, vents, gutters and decks, decide whether it does.
7 min read
Rainwater tanks and BASIX water commitments: sizing, connections and sign-off
The water section of a BASIX certificate is easy to satisfy on paper and easy to fail at the occupation certificate. Tank size, catchment, connections and fixture ratings all have to match what was committed.
7 min read
Housing Accord target slips to December 2030, with NSW not expected to hit its share until 2032
The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council now expects the 1.2 million homes target to be reached in December quarter 2030. Costs, rates and softer sentiment are weighing on supply, and NSW is further behind than most states.
5 min read
Building Commission NSW blitz: 150 site inspections, 25 fines on the Mid North Coast and New England
The regulator’s latest regional blitz found generally good compliance, but fines were issued for unlicensed work, missing site signs, unsupervised contractors and unauthorised plumbing. The same checks could come to any site.
6 min read
NSW home building contracts: the $5,000 and $20,000 thresholds, deposits and must-have clauses
NSW sets out exactly what a residential building contract must contain, and the rules change at $5,000 and $20,000. Here is what builders must include, the payment rules, and the mistakes that make contracts unenforceable.
8 min read