Trade news and industry updates for 2026

With some of the most increased building activity in years on the way in certain areas, 2026 is set to be a massive year for tradies. We’re coming off the back of a housing slowdown that’s finally run its course, there are fresh ideas from around the globe and regulations designed to get us working safer, and all of this means it’s time to get preparations underway for taking your business to the next level. The best way to do that? Make sure you know what to expect. We speak with industry leaders to find out the trade news on what’s coming up this year, including:

● The expected rise in construction activity, including increased housing and major infrastructure builds.
● The focus on creating environmentally friendly, resilient gardens for landscaping clients.
● Campaigns to recruit carpentry apprentices and more support for trainees to complete training.
● A drive to make the construction industry equitable for all genders, races, ages, strengths and abilities. Plus, updates to condensation provisions, new home infrastructure requirements and commercial energy efficiency regulations.
● More recruitment and specialised training for the electrotechnology industry.
● Further compliance and regulatory changes in the plumbing industry.
● New Codes of Practice and risk assessment guidelines from Safe Work Australia.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

What’s the trade news in the construction industry?

According to forecasts from Master Builders, total construction activity is projected to rise strongly during 2026, reaching $312.5 billion, a 6.6 per cent lift on the previous period. “Residential building will see momentum increase, particularly in higher-density housing,” says Master Builders Association’s (MBA) CEO Denita Wawn. “But even so, the National Housing Accord remains at risk, with a five-year shortfall of around 180,000 homes still expected. Rapid reform to streamline planning, approvals and regulation will be essential if builders are to meet that demand.” 

Add in public investment in health, education and utilities projects, plus major infrastructure builds, such as Sydney’s Metro West and Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop, and construction is tipped to hit historically high levels. “The stage is set for long-overdue productivity reforms, with outcomes expected to flow into 2026 through streamlined approvals, reduced red tape, and a better skills incentive system,” Denita says.

What’s new in the landscaping industry?

“Residential landscape architecture will continue to be all about wellness, sustainability and bringing nature indoors,” a spokesperson from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) says. “Homeowners will embrace outdoor spaces for relaxation and create wellness gardens with features like ice baths and saunas, and integrate natural elements, such as native plants, water features and natural stone.”

Getting back to nature will be a big focus for clients. “Sustainable practices are also a priority, with designs incorporating more renewable materials, rainwater management and resilient planting for climate change.”

Keep an eye out for a continuation of the trend of “biophilic design”, the AILA says. That’s when the natural world is brought inside to improve human health and wellbeing by connecting people to nature. The AILA says: “Homeowners are increasingly focused on creating environmentally friendly, resilient gardens. Using native species is a key component along with sustainable hardscaping, such as recycled timber, permeable paving, and reclaimed stone for paths and patios.”

What’s the trade news in the carpentry industry?

Australia is in the midst of one of its biggest building booms, confirms Nathan Quinn, Carpentry Australia’s Head of Development, and carpenters are central to it. “The Construction Skills Queensland Horizon 2032 paper highlights that carpenters and joiners will lead demand, with an additional 16,000 needed over the next eight years just to keep pace with future requirements,” Nathan says. “It’s clear that without a strong pipeline of skilled carpenters these ambitious national projects cannot be realised.”

From Helping Hand Day – an initiative to give back to local communities nationally – to the launch of televised D.I.Y. segments and a new radio partnership, Carpentry Australia is inspiring the next generation to pick up the tools. “Our data makes it clear: the more direct support apprentices receive from us, the greater their chance of completing their training,” Nathan says. “That’s why we’re expanding beyond Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, with teams now on the ground in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.”

What’s new for women in construction?

With a cultural shift set to happen across the building world, in 2026 the National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) will focus even more on building a sector where people – of all genders, races, ages, strengths and abilities – choose to join and stay.

“This change is long overdue and our new Organisational Strategy 2025–2028 outlines our focus and priorities as we work to create an equitable construction industry for all,” NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville says.

NAWIC launched their Ending Gender Harassment and Building Safer Workplaces Campaign during National Safe Work Month last October and also released the findings of a research project into parental leave in the construction sector, offering recommendations for government and the industry. “We work to support this change by focusing on culture, and by that I mean changing the behaviours and attitudes that are accepted, justified and promoted in and around construction sites and the services and activities that support them,” Cathryn says.

What’s new in the construction industry?

While the final decision on the content of the National Construction Code 2025 (NCC) has not yet been taken, proposed changes are likely to update materials and building practices in 2026, explains Steven Wojtkiw, Housing Industry Australia (HIA) Deputy Executive – Victoria. “Although the primary focus of the changes is on commercial and mixed-use residential buildings, home building is also likely to be affected through proposals for more stringent condensation provisions,” Steven says.

“Particularly for homes and apartments in colder climates in the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania (Climate Zones 6, 7 and 8), as well as electrical infrastructure requirements for all new homes. For apartments, it’s proposed to require balcony waterproofing be enhanced with drainage, set-downs, falls and membranes.”

Also keep an eye out for new commercial energy efficiency regulations in a range of buildings (Classes 2 and 3 then 5 to 9), he says. The changes, when passed, will be confirmed on the HIA website.

What’s new in the electrical industry?

As the electrotechnology industry faces a year of continued growth, one of the major things needed is more workers, Neil Roberts, Director of Policy, Technical & Safety with the National Electrical and Communications Association, says.

But that’s not all. “The challenge is not only finding qualified workers, but in ensuring they are trained to meet the increasingly specialised needs of today’s projects,” Neil says. Projects like renewable energy systems, for example. “The roll-out of emergency backstop control for inverters – part of national efforts to stabilise the grid – places new technical and compliance responsibilities on contractors,” Neil says. Work Health and Safety (WHS) remains at the forefront, particularly for solar installations where teams can be working at heights. “Regulators are enforcing stricter compliance measures to reduce falls, injuries and deaths,” Neil adds. “In 2026, electrical contractors must act not only as tradespeople, but also as educators, safety leaders, and compliance specialists.”

What’s new in the plumbing industry?

Plumbers face a dynamic year ahead, with the transition to lead-free products bringing with it fresh compliance hurdles and workforce shortages that may challenge national housing goals, despite a pause in NCC updates. Add in regulatory changes, and it’s creating complexity in an already unpredictable market. Key Industrial Relations (IR) reforms include the end of non-disclosure agreements, tighter rules on non-compete clauses, and, in Victoria, a potential right to work from home.

The roll-out of plumbing and drainage standard AS/NZS 3500:2025 also remains uneven across states, creating uncertainty. “Keeping up with compliance can be daunting,” Ashleigh Dalmau, CEO of Master Plumbers, says. “But smart plumbers won’t go it alone – expert guidance, ongoing professional development and access to industry insights will help keep you ahead.” The expert advice? To ease the compliance burden, lean on your local Master Plumbers Association.

What are the new guidelines for Safe Work Australia?

From the ground up, workers are facing new challenges this year, Safe Work Australia says. But with fresh guidelines in place, yours can still be a safe workplace. “Unstable ground can cause machinery to roll over or collapse, leading to serious injuries and fatalities,” Marie Boland, CEO of Safe Work Australia (SWA), says. “To make it easier for businesses and operators to understand how to safely use plant [machinery, equipment and vehicles etc] on unstable ground, Safe Work Australia is developing an interactive guide for assessing ground conditions.”

For those using Elevated Work Platform guidelines, SWA is developing a new Code of Practice with information for businesses and operators – and for workers in the expanding rooftop solar sector, a new guide to managing risks is available. “There is new information on managing risks associated with installing and retrofitting batteries, lithium-ion and non-lithium batteries, and emergencies associated with batteries and their safe disposal,” Marie says. “Visit the Safe Work Australia website for more information.” 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the biggest trade news for 2026

1. What can tradies expect from the construction industry in 2026?
Total construction activity is forecast to hit $312.5 billion (up 6.6 per cent), driven by residential builds, major public infrastructure, and long-overdue productivity reforms. However, a shortfall of 180,000 homes still looms without faster planning and approvals.

2. What are the major trends in landscaping for 2026?
Landscaping will focus on wellness, sustainability and biophilic design. Homeowners want outdoor relaxation spaces, ice baths, saunas and native plants, as well as eco-friendly materials like recycled timber, permeable paving and reclaimed stone.

3. Why is carpentry demand increasing so rapidly?
Australia’s building increase is driving huge demand for carpenters – 16,000 more workers will be needed over eight years. Carpentry Australia is expanding nationally and boosting apprentice support through community initiatives, media partnerships and training programs.

4. What progress is being made for women in construction?
NAWIC is accelerating cultural reform across the industry through its 2025-2028 Strategy, with campaigns to end gender harassment and research on parental leave. The focus is on building equitable, safe and inclusive worksites for people of all genders and backgrounds.

5. What regulatory and safety changes should tradies prepare for in 2026?

Key updates include:

● Proposed NCC 2025 changes (moisture, electrical and apartment waterproofing rules).
● Stricter electrical safety and compliance, especially for solar and inverter systems.
● Plumbing shifts to lead-free products, new IR rules, and rollout of AS/NZS 3500:2025.
● Safe Work Australia’s new plant-on-unstable-ground guide, EWP Code of Practice and updated rooftop solar battery safety guidelines.

Safe Work Australia has a suite of useful resources and tools, including laws and regulations, data and research, and safety support by topic to foster safe and healthy working environments. Head to safeworkaustralia.gov.au for more.