Noel Courtney, co-founder and CEO of Airmaster, has retired after building the company from a three-person panel van operation into one of Australia's leading HVAC&R service providers.
Why it matters: Relevant to HVAC technicians and business owners as a case study in growing a trades business from the ground up to a major industry player.
Residential land prices fell just 0.4% in the March quarter to $403,570, but are still 8.7% higher year-on-year. Land costs are growing more than twice as fast as inflation and nearly twice as fast as wages.
Why it matters: Builders and developers face rising land costs that squeeze project margins and slow housing starts, directly affecting workload pipelines for builders, concreters and allied trades.
The NT Government has released its Housing Strategy 2026-2030. The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the plan as a positive step toward tackling the Territory's housing shortage.
Why it matters: Builders and tradies in the NT may see increased work opportunities as the government moves to address housing shortages through a structured multi-year strategy.
Victoria's new Premier has announced a reshuffled Cabinet. A member alert has been issued summarising the changes relevant to the residential building industry.
Why it matters: Builders and tradespeople in Victoria may see policy or regulatory shifts depending on who holds the planning and building portfolios.
The HIA has welcomed the NT Government's Housing Strategy 2026-2030 as a positive step toward tackling the Territory's housing shortage. The association notes that delivery will be the critical factor in its success.
Why it matters: Builders and tradespeople in the NT may see increased work opportunities if the strategy is delivered. Demand for construction trades across the Territory could rise significantly.
A new Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS) has launched to help Australian workplaces manage hazardous chemicals and transition to updated exposure limits.
Why it matters: Affects builders, painters, and plumbers who handle hazardous chemicals on site. They must use updated resources to stay compliant with new workplace exposure limits.
WA has reopened streams of its $120M Infrastructure Development Fund to accelerate housing delivery and support higher-density projects across the state.
Why it matters: Builders and civil contractors in WA may see increased project pipelines as infrastructure funding unlocks new housing developments and density upgrades.
Queensland government commits $52M to infrastructure enabling 4,700+ new homes in Bundaberg. Funding is aimed at fast-tracking residential development in the region.
Why it matters: Builders, plumbers, and electricians in the Bundaberg area can expect a significant pipeline of new residential work as developments are brought forward.
NSW has released a draft 20-year regional plan for Illawarra-Shoalhaven targeting 117,000 new homes and 101,000 new jobs. The plan is open for public exhibition and covers housing, infrastructure, and growth strategy.
Why it matters: Builders, electricians, plumbers and other trades in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region could see a major pipeline of residential and infrastructure work over the next two decades.
Sydney Opera House will undergo a $120 million upgrade program. No further details on scope or timeline are provided in the article.
Why it matters: Builders, electricians, and plumbers in NSW may find work opportunities in this large-scale heritage upgrade project.
Jim's Group CEO Jim Pennman urges the next Victorian government to reduce regulation ahead of the November state election. He argues over-regulation is driving the state into economic decline.
Why it matters: Affects all trade types including builders, plumbers and electricians. Excess red tape directly increases compliance costs and admin burden for small trade businesses in VIC.
Master Builders Australia wants the skilled migration system to fast-track construction workers. New analysis highlights the sector's economic contribution and ongoing labour shortages.
Why it matters: Builders, plumbers, electricians and other tradies face ongoing labour shortages. Easier migration pathways could bring more workers onto job sites faster.
Master Builders Australia wants construction workers given higher priority in the skilled migration system. New analysis highlights tradies' economic contribution as the industry faces ongoing labour shortages.
Why it matters: Builders, carpenters, plumbers and electricians face ongoing skills shortages. Easier migration pathways could bring more workers onto job sites and ease project delays.
Concerns have emerged in Victoria's west over firefighting protocols near high-voltage VNI West transmission lines. Some local firefighters reportedly believe they would not attend fires on properties crossed by the lines.
Why it matters: Builders, electricians, and other tradies working near or on properties crossed by high-voltage lines need to understand emergency response limitations that could affect site safety planning.
The HIA has welcomed Queensland's new Housing Code and updates to Modern Homes Standards. The reforms are aimed at boosting housing supply in the state.
Why it matters: Builders and contractors in QLD may see changes to compliance requirements and approvals. New code could affect how residential projects are designed and approved.
The HIA has warned Treasury that a proposed minimum tax on discretionary trusts will reduce housing supply, contradicting the government's own housing targets.
Why it matters: Builders and contractors operating through discretionary trusts could face higher tax burdens, raising construction costs and reducing new housing projects.
HIA's Chief Executive Industry and Policy Simon Croft addressed a Parliamentary Joint Committee in Melbourne investigating small business insurance issues facing the building and construction sector.
Why it matters: Builders and tradies across all states could be affected if the inquiry leads to changes in how small business insurance is regulated or priced. Outcomes may impact insurance costs and availability.
Queensland has introduced a new state Housing Code and updates to Modern Homes Standards to simplify home building rules. The changes aim to cut construction delays and reduce costs to improve housing affordability.
Why it matters: Builders, plumbers, and electricians in QLD may see faster approvals and lower compliance costs under the streamlined rules.
National research shows most apprentices intend to finish their training and employers are largely retaining them. However, wellbeing issues and uneven workplace support remain risks to completion rates.
Why it matters: Affects builders, electricians, plumbers and all trade employers. Retention and support practices directly impact whether apprentices finish — shaping future workforce supply.
The Australian Refrigeration Council will keep running the RAC permit scheme under new administration and governance arrangements through the National EPA.
Why it matters: Affects refrigeration and air conditioning technicians (HVAC trades). Licensing and permit administration may change under the new National EPA oversight.