Release type: Media Release

Date:

Accrediting more builders to safely tackle Australia's housing needs

Ministers:

Senator the Hon Murray Watt
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations

The Government is making it simpler for more builders to get on-site faster, while ensuring their workers’ safety, to help address the nation’s urgent need for more homes.
 
We know the key to getting more people into homes, is boosting supply. That is why the Australian Government is providing up to $6 million in funding to three eligible building industry peak employer associations to get more builders onsite, faster.
 
Each organisation will be eligible to receive up to $2 million to help builders uplift their safety systems and practices so that they can gain accreditation to build homes funded through the Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund and National Housing Accord.
 
Accreditation is provided through the Federal Safety Commissioner’s Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme.
 
The eligible peak employer associations are:

  • Housing Industry Association (HIA)
  • Master Builders Australia (MBA)
  • Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Murray Watt said accrediting more residential builders is a key step towards delivering the homes Australians need.
 
“The Albanese Government understands there is a need for more accredited residential builders to address Australia’s need for more housing,” Minister Watt said.
 
“The three peak employer associations eligible for funding were selected due to their strong record of providing advice to their members on work health and safety systems.
 
“This grant program will help residential builders improve their safety systems and processes to obtain accreditation under the Government’s Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme.”
 
The government scheme has existed for almost 20 years and has driven higher work health and safety standards across all government-funded building projects.
 
Unfortunately, the building industry is one of the country’s most dangerous industries, with 25 workers killed on average annually since 2019.
 
More than 100 builders are already accredited to undertake residential construction as part of their work.
 
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will continue to progress the administration of the grant program over the coming months.