The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Act 2026 changes

The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Act 2026 was passed on 4 August 2026 which includes a series of changes relating to the approval and certification of manufactured homes.

Most of the provisions in the Act haven’t started yet. The Department and the Building Commission NSW will consult with stakeholders on the development of supporting regulations that will give effect to the changes set out in the Act. Work on the Act has been led by the Building Commission NSW.

Visit Building Productivity Reforms for more information.

Until the relevant parts of the The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Act 2026 commence, existing approval processes under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) will continue to apply.

Implications for manufactured homes

Currently ‘manufactured homes’ are excluded from the definition of building under the EP&A Act and require approval to install under the LG Act.

The changes will align approval and certification requirements for manufactured homes with traditionally constructed buildings.

The changes under the Act will:

  • Remove the term ‘manufactured home’ from the LG Act and EP&A Act.
  • Remove the requirement to obtain activity approval under the LG Act to install a manufactured home.
  • Define prefabricated building work.
  • Establish a new certification pathway for prefabricated building work that aligns with the certification of traditionally constructed buildings.

Implications for manufactured home estates

The removal of the ‘manufactured home’ definition means that the term ‘manufactured home estate’ will no longer be valid.

The NSW Government will continue facilitating this type of development which means amendments to the planning system will be needed.

Upcoming amendments are likely to include:

  • A new term and definition for ‘manufactured home estate’.
  • Clarifying consent pathways and permissibility settings for manufactured home estates and homes within these estates.
  • Shifting relevant ‘manufactured home estate’ development standards from the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021 to the planning system.
  • Minor changes to development standards to align with the Act and any enabling regulations (to be developed by Building Commission NSW).

The Department will consult with stakeholders on upcoming amendments to the planning system, including consent pathway changes and development standards.

The Department will also work with stakeholders to ensure that there are no unintended impacts on existing parks and estates.

Permissibility settings for estates

There are no changes proposed to where manufactured home estates are allowed. Estates will continue to be permitted with development consent on land where caravan parks are permitted. While existing restrictions on estates in the Sydney region, Crown reserves and National Parks will continue to apply.

In locations where manufactured home estates are not permitted, other types of development such as seniors housing or multi-dwelling housing may be permitted with development consent, and can deliver similar outcomes.

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