New free online tool for property industry welcomed by HIA

A decision to bring the National Construction Code and Building Code of Australia online, for free, from 2015 has been welcomed by the Housing Industry Association.

The decision, made by the Building Minister’s Forum, will cut red tape and is a necessity for everyone in the building industry, said HIA's senior executive director building development and environment, Kristin Brookfield.

“The building code should always have been freely available online in the same manner as other state and territory regulation,” said Brookfield.

“To require builders and plumbers to pay for access to the most important compliance document for the industry is contrary to achieving the delivery of affordable housing at the highest possible standard.”

At present, a new building code is required to be purchased each year. According to the website, the cost for a hard copy and digital access is just short of $400. Online 12 day access can cost $70.

Details are expected to be finalised in coming months.

Interested in currently available online resourceS? Observer Cameron McEvoy details five useful tools that you can use to find your first investment property.

Genworth also previously launched a free online toolkit.