---
title: "Andrew Bragg Proposes Major Overhaul of Australia's Building Code"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/andrew-bragg-building-code-overhaul-housing-costs-0ldvn
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
published: 2026-08-12T04:01:06.951Z
modified: 2026-08-12T08:00:12.755Z
language: en-IN
---

# Andrew Bragg Proposes Major Overhaul of Australia's Building Code

Liberal housing spokesman Andrew Bragg plans to drastically simplify Australia's National Construction Code, reducing it from over 2,000 pages to 80. This initiative aims to lower housing costs by making aspects like energy efficiency and accessibility optional extras, while retaining basic safety s

## Key takeaways

- Andrew Bragg plans to simplify Australia's National Construction Code, cutting it from over 2,000 pages to about 80.
- The proposal aims to reduce housing costs by making non-essential requirements like accessibility and energy efficiency optional.
- Bragg argues the current code leads to excessively expensive housing, which he terms 'gold-plated'.
- The federal government, through Treasurer Jim Chalmers, stated it is already engaged in efforts to streamline the building code.

## What Happened

Liberal housing spokesman Andrew Bragg announced plans to significantly overhaul Australia's National Construction Code, proposing to reduce its length from over 2,000 pages to approximately 80. Speaking at the National Press Club, Bragg stated that the current code leads to excessively expensive housing, describing it as requiring "gold-plated houses." The proposed changes would make elements beyond basic safety standards, such as accessibility and energy efficiency, optional extras. This initiative requires the cooperation of states and territories.

The National Construction Code, originally around 80 pages in 1988, has expanded significantly over time. This growth is attributed to broader scope, detailed compliance guidance, and extensive sections outlining state and territory variations, which contribute to inconsistency.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers commented that the government is already working to streamline the code, suggesting Bragg's proposal is not novel. He indicated that Housing Minister Clare O'Neil has held numerous meetings with the industry to develop a simplified code, with a plan expected to be presented to building ministers later this year.

## Why It Matters

Industry groups contend that complex regulations increase the cost of new homes. Evidence presented to a Senate inquiry indicated that changes to the code over the past seven years have added between $3,600 and $33,000 to the price of a new house. Bragg's proposal aims to reduce these costs by simplifying the regulatory framework.

## Background

A Productivity Commission inquiry into the construction sector found that while zoning and approval processes are more burdensome than building regulations, the commission's terms of reference did not encompass a direct examination of the construction code itself. Senator Bragg previously chaired a Senate inquiry into productivity.

## Key Facts

- Liberal housing spokesman Andrew Bragg proposed reducing Australia's National Construction Code from over 2,000 pages to about 80.

- Bragg stated the current code results in "gold-plated houses" that are too expensive.

- Proposed changes would make accessibility and energy efficiency requirements optional, while retaining basic safety standards.

- The National Construction Code has grown from approximately 80 pages in 1988.

- Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the government is already working on streamlining the code.

- Evidence suggests code changes have added $3,600 to $33,000 to the cost of new houses in the last seven years.

---
Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/andrew-bragg-building-code-overhaul-housing-costs-0ldvn
Reported from: Multiple Sources