Australia: Construction & Planning

Australia's new Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 have fundamentally altered skilled visa processing priorities, placing construction sector nominations in the top tier regardless of whether candidates are onshore or offshore. This strategic shift eliminates the location-based disadvantage that previously delayed offshore construction workers, creating new opportunities for employers who understand how to leverage sector-first processing.

Third-Party Proceedings in Queensland allow defendants to bring additional parties into existing litigation when those parties may owe contribution or indemnity, or when connected issues need to be resolved together. The procedure is governed by the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) and requires careful attention to timing, pleading requirements, and the substantive basis for joining the third party. Understanding when and how to properly initiate these proceedings can determine whether a defendant s

Commercial construction contracts in Queensland operate under strict statutory payment timelines and procedural requirements that can make or break a project's financial flow. Understanding how to structure agreements, manage progress claims, handle variations, and respond to disputes within mandated deadlines is essential for contractors, subcontractors, and project managers navigating Queensland's construction law framework.

Vanessa Thompson from Cooper Grace Ward's property, planning and environment team sits down with private client partner Scott Hay-Bartlem to share her professional journey and insights into the firm. The conversation explores the evolution of planning and environment law while offering a glimpse into balancing a legal career with family life.

When can a commercial landlord in Queensland legally terminate a lease, and what procedural requirements must be followed? Understanding the distinction between a tenant's breach and the landlord's right to re-enter is critical, as non-compliance with the Property Law Act 2023 can invalidate termination attempts and expose landlords to legal risk.

Recent NSW court decisions are establishing new protections for residential owner-occupiers under the Security of Payment Act, with judges granting stays on enforcement where contractors pose insolvency risks. These rulings recognize that residential owners face fundamentally different risks than commercial parties, cushioning the impact of legislation originally designed for business-to-business construction disputes.

In this June 2026 issue of Council Connect, we explore how NSW councils are responding to growing pressures and evolving expectations, with practical insights into recent legal and regulatory changes, and proudly recognise Special Counsel Mary-Lynne Taylor AM on her inclusion in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

NSW's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms aim to address the state's housing shortage by permitting diverse housing types near transport hubs, but a recent panel discussion revealed a critical question: will removing planning barriers alone actually deliver more housing? The debate highlights tensions between state intervention and local government authority, while examining whether planning reform can overcome feasibility challenges, infrastructure constraints, and affordability concerns that continue to impe

New South Wales has passed comprehensive building legislation that consolidates existing approval and practitioner frameworks while introducing groundbreaking provisions for prefabricated and modular construction. The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 awaits Governor assent, with its practical implications dependent on forthcoming regulations that will determine operational details and affected parties.