The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the passage of the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 through the NSW Parliament as an important step towards a more streamlined, productive and accountable building system.
NSW Executive Director at the Property Council Katie Stevenson stated that the reforms would modernise the state’s fragmented approvals framework and create clearer pathways from design to completion.
“By consolidating building approvals, practitioner registration and enforcement requirements, these reforms will reduce duplication, improve certainty and help turn planning approvals into safe, high-quality homes more quickly.
“This is practical reform that supports housing delivery while maintaining strong standards for building quality, safety and consumer protection.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
The legislation also makes NSW the first Australian jurisdiction to formally recognise modern methods of construction (MMC), including prefabricated and modular buildings.
“The Bill provides an important foundation for the NSW Government’s 2026/2027 Budget commitments to modernise building approvals, establish an MMC regulatory and national certification framework, fund housing innovation and expand local manufacturing capacity.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Katie believes that digital approval pathways would be critical to reducing administrative burden, improving consistency across building and planning systems and providing greater certainty for industry and consumers alike.
“Clear approvals, certification pathways, local manufacturing capability and smarter procurement settings can help modern construction move from niche to mainstream, improving productivity, creating skilled jobs and accelerating housing delivery.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
The Property Council also welcomed the clearer framework for practitioner registration, certifier accountability, enforcement and dispute resolution.
“Success will ultimately depend on practical regulations, well-designed transitional arrangements, digital systems and guidance that avoid unnecessary complexity.
“We commend the Government’s consultative approach and will continue working constructively with the NSW Government and industry to turn this legislation and the Budget investment into stronger local capability and more homes delivered at the scale and pace NSW needs.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia