Australia: Construction & Planning

The NSW Parliament has introduced the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026, proposing sweeping changes to the state's building approval system and certifier responsibilities. While the Bill aims to streamline approvals and reduce red tape to meet housing targets, it controversially repeals the unpopular Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 only to reinstate many of its key requirements, potentially facing significant industry opposition particularly from private certifiers whose liability

The New South Wales Court of Appeal's decision in The Owners Strata Plan No 66375 v King clarified critical aspects of statutory warranties under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW), particularly regarding design defects and developer liability. The case examined whether developers could be held liable for defects originating in architectural design rather than construction workmanship, and whether statutory warranties extend beyond the express terms of building contracts.

Australia's 2026-27 federal budget introduces sweeping immigration reforms that will reshape how skilled workers are selected, where temporary visa holders can buy property, and how quickly migrant tradespeople can enter the workforce. The changes mark the first overhaul of the skilled migration points test in over a decade and signal a strategic shift toward prioritizing onshore applicants already living in Australia. What do these policy adjustments mean for employers, migrants, and the broader trajectory

Subcontractor payment rights in Queensland are governed by the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (Qld), which establishes a comprehensive statutory regime designed to protect cash flow in the construction industry.

The Victorian Court of Appeal has confirmed that loss and damage, not the underlying defect, must occur within the policy period for the purposes of the Domestic Building Insurance policy, and successors in title must prove their own loss in establishing a breach of the statutory warranties in the Domestic Building Contracts Act.

In the month since the commencement of the Iran war, the initial impacts on fuel prices have spread to materials and labour affected by either the rise in transport costs or the rise in the cost of oil as an input in the manufacturing process.

The QPC acknowledges that good planning with a focus on public interest is essential for good development.

Court's approach to assessment demonstrates how outcomes in cladding litigation are heavily on the parties contractual relationships.

The Privy Council's decision is a clear endorsement of contractual certainty in construction projects. Whilst not a precedent, this will be persuasive in Australia.