Get cracking on new code

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 5, 2026

The Queensland government is introducing a new Construction Code to prevent the return of Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPICs) on construction sites, aiming to eliminate union-related provisions that previously restricted productivity and increased costs. This reform is critical as the state prepares for the 2032 Olympic Games, with officials warning that delays could jeopardize project timelines and budgets while boosting housing affordability and economic growth.

The Queensland government is moving to implement a new Construction Code aimed at preventing the reintroduction of controversial industrial arrangements known as Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPICs) on the state’s construction sites. The proposed code, developed following recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Forestry Mining and Electrical Union (CFMEU), seeks to eliminate what are described as excessive workplace conditions that previously affected productivity and project costs across the sector.

BPICs, which were dismantled by the current Liberal National Party (LNP) government last year, included provisions such as mandated rostered days off, payment to workers for union activities, and the presence of non-working union delegates on construction sites. Under the proposed Queensland Construction Code, these conditions would be prohibited. The code also removes requirements for companies to consult the CFMEU on matters like labour numbers and pay rates and lifts restrictions on using casual or subcontracted workers.

Supporters of the code argue that BPICs had significantly hindered Queensland’s construction industry. According to a 2025 report from the Queensland Productivity Commission, productivity in the sector declined by 9 percent since 2018, correlating with approximately 77,000 fewer homes built during that period. The report projected that if BPICs had remained in place through to 2029-30, the state would have faced economic losses exceeding $20 billion and construction project costs could have increased by up to 25 percent. The report also linked BPICs to an estimated 8.3 percent rise in rental prices.

The LNP government, which assumed office in late 2024, quickly moved to dismantle the CFMEU’s influence in the industry, characterising the previous Labor government’s agreements with the union as “sweetheart deals” that constrained growth and increased costs. The Commission of Inquiry has publicly criticised the former government’s role in enabling these arrangements.

With Brisbane set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the government has emphasized the urgency of finalising the Queensland Construction Code before key industry agreements expire in 2027. Officials have warned that delays could result in inefficient work practices becoming entrenched in major projects linked to the games, posing risks to timelines and budgets.

While unions acknowledge the importance of safe working conditions and their role in advocating for workers, the inquiry and government officials maintain that BPICs went beyond reasonable industrial protections, ultimately harming the broader economy and housing market.

As Queensland prepares for international scrutiny ahead of the upcoming major sporting events, the government faces mounting pressure to solidify reforms intended to boost productivity and reduce costs in the construction sector. The Queensland Construction Code represents a key element in this strategy to reshape industry practices and limit union influence on site operations.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.