Tasmanian homebuilders are facing cost increases of up to $10,000 per dwelling under new accessibility requirements that took effect this week, an industry body says.
The National Construction Code now requires wider doors and hallways, plus a ground floor toilet in all new residential homes across the state.
The changes come as Tasmania’s building sector shows tentative signs of recovery, with 214 new home approvals in August – the highest monthly figure since February.
Master Builders Tasmania CEO Jenna Cairney said the timing was poor.
“It is frustrating that just as we are starting to see green-shoots in our new home building construction sector, the Tasmanian government are stubbornly insisting on hitting all new homebuilders with significant additional costs,” she said.
The industry body supports accessibility features in public housing but questions the mandate for all private construction.
“… It just doesn’t pass the pub test that in the middle of a housing crisis that every home built or renovated in Tasmania’s private sector by first home builders, growing families or down-sizers must also include these expensive additions,” Cairney said.
Tasmania approved 2,343 new homes in the 12 months to August – less than half the 5,162 dwellings required annually under the National Housing Accord.
Small Business Minister Guy Barnett said the changes are essential to support elderly Tasmanians and people living with a disability.
“It can be hugely expensive to renovate an existing home to be accessible and safe for older Tasmanians and these sensible changes will ensure more accessible homes are readily available,” he said.
Barnett said the staged rollout, which began in October 2024, was developed in close consultation with peak bodies including Master Builders Tasmania.
The government remains committed to freezing implementation of proposed National Construction Code 2025 updates and has secured federal agreement to delay future revisions for five years, he said.
