New legislation is coming into effect that will affect class 3 and class 9 buildings in New South Wales. Changes are being made to the Design Building Practitioners Act, which will apply to class 3 and class 9C buildings from July 3, 2023. Buildings such as boarding houses, guest houses, hostels, and backpackers that have dormitory-style accommodations, as well as accommodations for children, elderly people, and disabled people, will be affected.

Under the new legislation, people working in the affected space will need to be registered. This is part of the New South Wales government’s commitment to restoring public faith and confidence in the building and construction sector, which has been affected by controversial cases such as Mascot Towers and Opal Towers. While the legislation aims to improve public safety, some small builders and teams are concerned that the additional cost and paperwork requirements may make it difficult for them to compete in the market, leaving only the bigger builders to work on Class 2, 3, and 9C projects.

Overall, it remains to be seen how this legislation will impact the building and construction sector in New South Wales. While it may improve public safety, it could also lead to a potential monopoly for bigger builders and teams, which could limit competition and innovation in the industry.