The ACT Government is committed to enabling 30,000 new homes by 2030. Improving construction productivity is key to building more homes for Canberrans.
The ACT’s Construction Productivity Agenda (the Agenda) supports productivity by helping deliver more homes and economic benefits. This builds a stronger construction sector, and ensures new homes are delivered on time and to high standards.
Working closely with the building and construction sector, the Agenda focuses on planning and building reforms that:
- reduce regulatory burden
- streamline approval processes
- support innovation
- improve workforce flexibility in the building and planning system.
Reforms will be released in stages every six months. Tranche 1 includes the first set of reforms under the Agenda.
Have an idea for reform?
The ACT Government welcomes ideas from industry, the community and other government entities.
If you have a suggestion that could make the building and planning systems easier to use, faster, more innovative or more flexible, please fill out the Construction Productivity Agenda Reform Submission Form [DOCX ] and email it to CEDBuildingPolicyReform@act.gov.au.
Suggestions can be submitted at any time. If they align with the productivity goals, they may be considered in a future six monthly reform tranche.
Tranche 1 Reforms - 2025
Tranche 1 productivity reforms were announced by the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development on 29 November 2025.
The installation of a separate greywater piping system is no longer mandatory in all new homes or renovations from 24 April 2026. Homeowners can still opt to install greywater piping and there are rules that remain in place to ensure it is done correctly. This reform reduces construction costs without impacting sustainable water reuse. This provides a direct cost saving of approximately $1,550 for homeowners.
More information on this change can be found in the Water and Sewerage Amendment Regulation 2026 (No 1) and Explanatory Statement.
This provides an alternate way to meet energy efficiency requirements. It does this by setting a revised whole-of-house star rating that covers the size of the renovation or extension. This rating is calculated using an area-weighted NatHERS method. This approach reduces the need for complex redesigns, lowers costs and reduces the risk of non-compliance, making it easier for industry and homeowners to meet their energy efficiency requirements.
More information about this change (including the area-weighted NatHERS formulas) is available in the Building (ACT Appendix to the Building Code) Determination 2026 and its Explanatory Statement. The Building (General) (Alternative requirements for unaltered parts) Determination 2026 and Explanatory Statement has also been updated to support this change. This option commenced on 24 April 2026.
This will streamline building approvals and reduce regulatory burden for projects that go beyond baseline requirements, removing the need to show separate energy efficiency compliance. This new process supports productivity by simplifying processes and approvals and reducing unnecessary costs for industry and homeowners choosing Passive House construction.
More information about this change (including the area-weighted NatHERS formulas) is available in the Building (ACT Appendix to the Building Code) Determination 2026 and its Explanatory Statement. The Building (General) (Alternative requirements for unaltered parts) Determination 2026 and Explanatory Statement has also been updated to support this change. This option commenced on 24 April 2026.
The ACT Government is currently progressing work on this reform in consultation with industry and planning and design practitioners. This reform will be updated in due course.
Tranche 2 Reforms - 2026
The ACT Government is currently considering reforms for tranche 2 of the Construction Productivity Agenda.
Tranche 3 Reforms - 2026
The ACT Government welcome suggestions for consideration as part of this tranche of reforms.
Contributing to National Productivity reforms
The Agenda will also encompass work from the Commonwealth Government under the National Competition Policy Federation Funding Agreement and the associated ACT Jurisdiction Specific Reform Plan (JSRP).
The ACT Government has committed to a range of actions under the JSRP. This includes projects which will:
- limit anti-competitive objections to development
- remove anti-competitive considerations from planning, rezoning and development processes
- expand the range of permissible land uses
- streamline criteria and processes for development assessment and rezoning
- support the uptake of modern methods of construction (e.g. prefabricated and modular construction).
FAQ
The ACT Government welcomes ideas from industry, the community and other government entities. If you have a suggestion that could make the building and planning systems easier to use, faster, more innovative or more flexible, please fill out the reform submission form [DOCX ] and email it to CEDBuildingPolicyReform@act.gov.au.
The ACT Government will consider all ideas. Depending on the suggestion we may undertake the following process:
- Undertake a feasibility assessment with the relevant line area based on the information submitted.
- Undertake consultation with relevant building and construction stakeholders and government agencies.
- Where the suggestions meet the Agenda’s objectives, the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development will be briefed to seek policy approval of the reform.
- Draft legislative amendments and consult with relevant building and construction stakeholders and government agencies on these proposed changes.
- Seek ministerial approval of the legislative amendment.
- Notification of the legislative amendment on the ACT Legislation Register.
- Provide the building and construction industry confirmation of implementation and give presentations to requesting organisations.
Depending on the type and complexity of legislative change required, it can take up to six months to implement or longer for reforms that are more complex.
Reform tranches will be delivered in 6 monthly intervals. The ACT Government will deliver Tranches 2 and 3 in 2026 and so on.
