Discussion Paper - Potential Commonwealth standards for the construction industry (PDF)
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Background
The government is committed to reforming the construction industry through a broad work program already underway. This commitment saw the establishment of the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF), the leading national tripartite forum in the building and construction industry, which brings together government, unions and business to promote best practice, address systemic problems and drive reform to industry culture.
On 22 September 2025, the NCIF formally endorsed the Blueprint for the Future (Blueprint). The Blueprint recognises that governments can do more to influence change and drive mutually beneficial and lawful behaviour, productivity, workforce development and cultural reform.
On 1 May 2026, the government announced its intention to consult on potential standards for the construction industry, aimed at ensuring government financial arrangements drive quality, productivity, lawful behaviour, and deliver safe, secure, well-paid jobs.
The focus of this consultation is whether construction standards could support lawful conduct, productivity, workforce development and safe, secure and well-paid jobs across the construction industry. Feedback from this consultation will inform any development of a potential model for construction standards. A second stage of consultation is expected to test the design and implementation of any proposed model.
The NCIF’s draft Joint Construction Industry Charter (the Charter) has also been released for consultation, with NCIF members leading consultation across their stakeholder networks, including employer groups, unions, governments and the wider industry. To support and enable industry's adoption of the Charter, this discussion paper explores whether construction standards could set clearer minimum expectations across the industry, particularly in relation to structural and systemic issues that require government oversight, regulation and enforcement. If agreed, the Charter could build on this framework as an industry-led approach to improving construction sector behaviour beyond the minimum expectations in the construction standards.
Key documents
Potential Commonwealth standards for the construction industry discussion paper
Draft Joint Construction Industry Charter
Frequently Asked Questions.
Make a submission
The government wants to hear from all stakeholders, including businesses of all sizes, workers and their unions, industry groups, state and territory governments, local governments, regulators, and the general public. The discussion paper includes a range of questions across five themes:
integrity and lawful conduct
productivity, fairness and industrial practices
workforce development and job quality
scope and application
governance and compliance
The government is particularly seeking:
evidence and examples of how issues arise in practice
views on what is working well and where current arrangements fall short
insights into risks, costs and unintended consequences of potential approaches, and
feedback on where Commonwealth action, within its available levers, could most effectively could drive change.
Submissions close at 11:59 pm AEST, 16 October 2026.
If you have any questions, please email WR.Building@dewr.gov.au
To stay informed of future consultation opportunities, information sessions and industry briefings on the potential Commonwealth standards for the construction industry and the Charter, please complete the NCIF Register of Interest.
Privacy and publication of submissions
Submissions will be published unless the submitting party indicates that they do not wish their submission to be published. The department may also redact parts of published submissions if appropriate. If you do not want to have your submission published or it contains confidential information, please indicate this when making your submission.
Please note that legal requirements, such as those imposed by the Freedom of Information Act 1982, may affect the confidentiality of your submission.