2026 review of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003
A 2026 review of Queensland's Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 is underway, with focus on balancing system improvements against impacts on housing affordability and industry sustainability.
How will the 2026 workers comp review affect my trade business in Queensland?
All Queensland tradies (builders, plumbers, electricians, carpenters) will be affected as workers comp reforms could change insurance costs and claims processes, directly impacting business overheads and job pricing.
Key takeaways
- Queensland's Workers Compensation Act 2003 is under review in 2026
- Reforms aim to balance fixing system problems with maintaining housing affordability
- Changes could affect industry sustainability across the construction sector
- Workers comp insurance costs and claims processes may be reformed
Related
HIA welcomes $2.4 billion infrastructure fund to unlock new Queensland housing
The Housing Industry Association has welcomed applications opening for Queensland's new $2.4 billion Infrastructure Activation Fund. The fund is intended to unlock more housing supply in the state.
Why it matters: Builders and carpenters in Queensland could see more housing projects proceed if infrastructure bottlenecks ease. Plumbers and electricians may also gain work from newly serviced land.
Draft State Planning Policy 2026
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has provided feedback on the Draft State Planning Policy 2026 and its discussion papers on Natural Hazards and the Future of Assessment Benchmarks. The article gives no detail on what the draft policy or HIA's feedback contains.
Why it matters: Planning policy changes on natural hazards and assessment benchmarks could affect builders and other residential trades through approval requirements and where and how homes can be built. Details are not yet clear.
Construction needs an effective enforcer not a paperwork obsession
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) warns that proposed national construction standards and new procurement rules miss the mark. It says the measures land hardest on home builders and argues for an effective enforcer rather than more paperwork.
Why it matters: Home builders and small residential contractors could face extra compliance paperwork and procurement requirements, adding admin time and cost to jobs without necessarily lifting building quality.