Discover the latest updates and essential insights in the building and construction industry. For all significant news and developments, this is your go-to source.

Australian taxpayers will receive a tax cut

27/06/2024

The Australian Government has made changes to individual income tax rates and thresholds. This will apply to all taxable income you earn from 1 July 2024. The changes will not impact your 2023–24 tax return.

From 1 July this year, these changes will:

  • reduce the 19 per cent tax rate to 16 per cent
  • reduce the 32.5 per cent...

Important changes to design and building practitioner obligations

26/06/2024

Changes to professional obligations under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (the Act).

Professional indemnity insurance requirement deferred 
The Act requires registered building practitioners to hold professional indemnity insurance for the work they carry out. This mandatory insurance requirement will now commence from 1 July 2025. The 12-month extension...

Inflation hits 4% in May, surpassing expectations

26/06/2024

Inflation rose to 4% in the 12 months to May, surpassing economists' expectations of 3.8%, according to the latest ABS data. This marks an increase from April's 3.6%. Key contributors were housing, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and transport.

The RBA now faces pressure to possibly raise interest rates further. While some...

Master Builders NSW response to budget

18/06/2024

Today’s NSW Budget provides a much-needed boost to help alleviate supply barriers in new home building said Ãå±±½ûµØ Executive Director Brian Seidler.


Housing

“Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has rightly put housing at the centre of the budget and recognised that until we build the homes and infrastructure...

Webinar on Engineered Stone Ban - Friday 14 June

07/06/2024

A free online webinar hosted by SafeWork NSW will be held on Friday, 14th June at 11 am regarding the ban on engineered stone. You can register to attend .

From 1 July 2024, the ban will apply to the use, supply, and manufacture of engineered stone benchtops, panels...

Industrial Manslaughter Offence to be introduced in NSW

04/06/2024

Key points:

  • NSW government to introduce industrial manslaughter offence.
  • Penalties include up to 25 years jail for individuals and $20 million fines for corporations.
  • Opposition from stakeholders like Ãå±±½ûµØ NSW, citing concerns about existing laws and effectiveness.
  • Government aims to hold businesses and individuals accountable for workplace deaths.

The NSW...

Business fined $375,000 after employee exposed to silica dust

31/05/2024

An engineered stone provider has been fined $375,000 after it exposed a worker to risk of serious illness over a six-year and 10-month period where reasonably practical steps were not taken to minimise exposure to airborne respirable crystalline silica. 

Edstein Creative Pty Ltd failed to take adequate actions to minimise...