Key Outcomes from the Summit
Australia’s recent Productivity Roundtable brought together government, industry, and business leaders to tackle one of the nation’s toughest challenges: lifting productivity in housing and construction. From the National Construction Code (NCC) to superannuation investment rules and the EPBC Act approvals backlog, the summit spotlighted reforms that could reshape the way homes are financed, approved, and built.
1. Pausing the National Construction Code
One of the biggest issues on the table was whether to pause non-essential NCC updates (such as new energy efficiency requirements) to prevent unnecessary cost increases and speed up the delivery of new homes. The intent is to cut red tape without compromising safety.
For many in the industry, this discussion felt overdue. As BuiltGrid co-founder Toby Loft put it:
“The Roundtable surfaced some critical ideas — super fund reforms, code freezes, faster approvals — but the challenge will be in execution. Builders and suppliers need certainty, not complexity, if these reforms are going to translate into homes on the ground.”
This aligns with ongoing calls from builders for simplified approval processes and greater clarity around regulatory change (ABC News).
2. Super Funds and Housing Investment
Another focal point was how the Your Future, Your Super performance test discourages funds from backing housing projects because stamp duty is treated as a fee. This reduces the attractiveness of long-term investments in housing and renewables.
Reforms to the performance test and RG97 disclosure rules are now firmly on the table, opening the door for more superannuation capital to flow into housing and infrastructure (The Australian).
But as Toby points out, finance is only one part of the solution:
“Unlocking capital is a strong first step, but productivity also relies on innovation in building methods. Prefabrication, modular housing and digital compliance tools aren’t optional extras — they’re essential to reverse the decades-long decline in construction productivity.”
3. Streamlining Environmental Approvals
The EPBC Act backlog — almost 30,000 projects awaiting assessment — was another sticking point. A proposed “strike team” and digital tracking systems could accelerate approvals while maintaining environmental oversight.
However, Toby cautioned that the execution gap still looms large:
“This is a good start but the government needs to go deeper on the construction execution issues that directly impact productivity. This was misunderstood — and still is — when the goal of building 1.2 million homes in five years was set. Targets are only meaningful if the industry can actually execute them.”
The government also signalled a new federal environment watchdog to support accountability in future assessments (The Guardian).
4. Broader Tax and Equity Reform
The Roundtable closed with Treasurer Jim Chalmers signalling tax reforms to address intergenerational equity and simplify the system. While housing was not the only focus, the link between productivity, fairness, and housing supply was clear (ABC News).
Why It Matters for the Construction Industry
The Productivity Commission has long flagged Australia’s housing productivity problem: while overall labour productivity grew nearly 50% over the past 30 years, construction lagged behind, even declining in some housing sectors (Urban Taskforce).
By aligning finance, regulation, and innovation, the Roundtable outcomes represent a chance to shift the needle — if momentum continues. As Loft and Murphy both stress, execution is what will separate aspiration from delivery.
Conclusion
The Productivity Roundtable was less about immediate breakthroughs and more about building consensus for reform. From construction codes to superannuation investment rules and approvals, the discussions show that industry and government agree on the problems — but solutions will require follow-through.
BuiltGrid’s leadership emphasises that execution, innovation, and collaboration will determine whether these conversations deliver real results: more homes, faster approvals, and a more productive construction industry for Australia.