Queensland's Building Reg Reno moves forward with tranche 3

On 27 June 2025, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Qld) was introduced in the Queensland Parliament. The Bill’s amendments form tranche 3 of the Queensland Government’s Building Regulation Renovation (Building Reg Reno) and introduce further reforms to ease pressure on Queensland’s building industry.

Improving productivity in the building industry is a top priority for the Crisafulli Government in its implementation of the Building Reg Reno. Tranches 1 and 2 commenced with regulation amendments that paused the further rollout of trust accounts and provided regulatory relief and efficiencies for the industry. We previously commented on those amendments here.

The new Bill updates the Building Act 1975 (Qld), Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (Qld), and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (Qld). It aims to make the building industry more productive, responsive, and accountable by:

• Modernising regulatory framework for the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
• Supporting the QBCC’s transition into the digital age
• Streamlining reporting requirements for serious safety incidents on building sites.

To achieve these objectives, the Bill proposes to:

• Remove legislative impediments that restrict the QBCC’s ability to provide electronic services, such as the requirement for QBCC licence to be issued as a hard copy.
• Provide greater operational flexibility for the QBCC by introducing a pathway to serve documents digitally and allowing QBCC customers to choose their preferred method of communication with the QBCC.
• Change the notification process for serious safety incidents on building sites so the regulator under the WHS Act[1] or ES Act[2] can promptly notify the QBCC about serious safety matters on building sites and the QBCC can respond with disciplinary action if necessary.
• Remove duplicate reporting obligations for QBCC licensees by requiring notification only to the regulator under the WHS Act or ES Act, rather than also notifying the QBCC.

Although the Bill is not yet in force, it has been referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee (the Committee) for detailed consideration, and an inquiry is now underway. The Committee invites written submissions from stakeholders, which are due by midday on Tuesday 15 July 2025. A public briefing with officers from the Department of Housing and Public Works is scheduled for Wednesday 9 July 2025, followed by a public hearing on Thursday 24 July 2025. The Committee's report is expected by 15 August 2025, after which the Queensland Government will have three months to respond to the recommendations contained in the report. Stakeholders are encouraged to closely monitor these developments.

The fourth and final tranche of the Building Reg Reno is still to come, which is expected to bring further refinements to the regulatory landscape..

To that end, the Queensland Government has released its consultation draft for a new Queensland Housing Code. The proposed Queensland Housing Code represents the first update to the design and siting requirements for single detached dwellings and associated structures under the Queensland Development Code in over 10 years. Reducing red tape and simplifying planning and building approval processes are key priorities for the proposed Code. Public consultation will remain open until 31 July 2025.

Stay tuned for further updates on any changes affecting the Queensland building and construction industry.

[1] Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld).

[2] Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld).