New South Wales builders will be able to save money and stay safe with the announcement of free access to the National Construction Code.

The code has been put up for free as part of a joint Federal Government initiative that it says will reduce shoddy building work.

“Construction is a key plank of the State’s economy and the NSW Government is continuing to do all it can to ensure we have a strong and compliant industry,” NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox said.

“From 1 February, all NSW Builders will have access to the National Construction Code (NCC) through a free online service.

“Previously, businesses were required to pay almost $400 to get access to the Code.

“By making the Code freely accessible, we are encouraging greater compliance and best practice standards throughout the industry, from sole-traders right through to large companies. “Access to the Code is expected to increase from 12,000 registered users to about 200,000 practitioners in the building and plumbing industry.

“This means all builders will now know what the expected standards are, as well as their responsibilities,” he said.

The initiative comes as a result of talks at the last Australian Building Ministers' Forum, which sought ways to reduce the cost of compliance while maintaining health and safety standards.

The NSW Government has pledged to constantly improve standards in the construction industry to maintain consumer protections were in place, but says that maintaining industry growth and investment will remain paramount.

“The NSW Government has already undertaken extensive reforms to the building and construction industry, which culminated with the introduction of tougher new Home Building laws earlier this month,” Mr Mason-Cox said.

“Among some of the key measures in that package of reforms was the introduction of imprisonment of up to 12 months for builders who are repeat offenders of unlicensed contracting work or don’t have the required insurance.

“Licence eligibility has been tightened to stamp out illegal ‘phoenixing’, which is where a company closes down leaving large unpaid debts, only to re-emerge as a new company trading under a different name.”

More information on the National Construction Code is available here.