Australia faces a critical housing supply challenge, and construction productivity has declined over the past decade even as regulatory requirements have intensified. In this Australian Industry Group submission in response to the Treasury's call for feedback on modernising the National Construction Code (NCC), we present a case for better regulation that is nationally consistent, transparent and designed to deliver innovation and measurable real-world benefits.

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) serves a vital role as the standards-writing body responsible for the NCC, which provides uniform technical provisions for building and plumbing across Australia. However, as the NCC only gains legal force once adopted by individual states and territories, the ABCB's effectiveness depends on its ability to provide a Code that is technically robust and practically implementable across diverse jurisdictions. As the central standards-setting body, the ABCB is uniquely placed to ensure the NCC supports, rather than hinders, national priorities such as housing supply, construction productivity, and industry innovation. By refocusing the NCC on harmonisation, usability, and proportionality, Australia's regulatory framework can directly support national objectives in housing affordability and decarbonisation.