HIA welcomes removal of builder accreditation requirement

Builders constructing single dwellings no longer need to be accredited under the federal Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme in a red tape cutting reform welcomed by the Housing Industry Association (HIA).

Reforms to the tendering processes for Australian government funded construction projects have, in particular, been welcomed by the residential building body's chief executive - industry policy and media, Graham Wolfe.

"The removal of the requirement for builders to be accredited under the federal Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme when constructing single dwellings is welcomed," said Wolfe.

"With the cost of accreditation running into tens of thousands of dollars, the return from being eligible to work on commonwealth projects often won't stack up for small to medium builders."

He said that small businesses faced an unfair burden as a result of the previous red tape-laden requirements, especially in comparison to large businesses with the capacity to absorb the costs.

"The ultimate loser is the taxpayer through less efficient more expensive public works projects," he said.