Australian Institute of Architects Prepared for 2025 Australian Federal Election Issued March 2025
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations Peoples ad the traditional custodians of the lands, waters and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their elders and knowledge holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for country.
The Australian Institute of Architects exists to advance the interests of members, their professional standards and contemporary practice, and expand and advocate the value of architects and architecture to the sustainable growth of our communities, economy and culture.
Parramatta Aquatic Centre | Grimshaw and Andrew Burges Architects with McGregor Coxall | Photographer: Peter Bennetts
2025 Australian Federal Election Priorities
1. Establish a Federal Government Architect within The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA)
2. Embrace innovation and modern construction methods to address housing shortages while supporting the transition to net zero
3. Deliver healthy, equitable, affordable and sustainable housing that strengthens community connections
4. Strengthen building codes and support an orderly decarbonisation transition through the National Construction Code (NCC) and the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)
5. Use architects and other licenced professionals to improve urban outcomes, safety, and consumer confidence
Victoria and Vine | COX Architecture | Photographer: Peter Bennetts
2025 Australian Federal Election Priorities
Jane Cassidy, FRAIA
National President, Australian Institute of Architects
+61 2 6113 3258
nationalpresident@architecture.com
As Australia approaches the 2025 Federal Election, we have a critical opportunity to shape a built environment that is more sustainable, resilient, and well-designed. The Australian Institute of Architects is committed to advocating for national policies that harness architectural expertise to create thriving communities, strengthen economic prosperity, and accelerate our transition to net-zero.
Australia’s built environment is at a crossroads. Rapid urbanisation, climate change, housing affordability challenges, and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure demand bold, strategic action. Architects are uniquely positioned to deliver solutions that balance environmental responsibility with social and economic well-being.
To ensure a sustainable future, we urge the Federal Government to embed architectural leadership at the highest levels of decision-making. Establishing a Federal Government Architect of Australia within the The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) would ensure government infrastructure and housing investments deliver design quality, sustainability, and long-term community benefits. Stronger national oversight will increase the value and efficiency of government investment, especially by improving procurement systems, urban planning, and advancing progress toward net-zero goals.
Our built environment must adapt to meet growing housing and infrastructure needs while embracing forwardthinking design principles and innovative construction methods. This evolution will drive the transition from a traditional construction sector to an integrated, modern construction and manufacturing industry. Smarter policies can unlock architectural innovation to bridge the supply-demand gap, ensuring that new developments are efficient, climate-responsive, affordable and adaptable. Sustainable housing initiatives must focus on delivering healthier, more equitable, and connected communities.
Safeguarding Australia’s rich architectural and First Nations cultural legacy while adapting to climate change is equally vital. Thoughtfully merging heritage conservation with climate-responsive design allows us to preserve and celebrate cultural identity while ensuring older buildings are energy-efficient and resilient.
As we navigate the rapid decarbonisation of the construction sector, empowering communities to drive innovation through an architectural perspective will ensure high-quality, enduring urban environments. Architects take a collaborative, solution-driven approach to city development, optimising investments while seamlessly integrating emerging technologies, low-carbon materials, and circular economy principles into mainstream construction practices.
By championing these initiatives, Australia can lead the world in sustainable design while unlocking economic growth and long-term prosperity through a well-managed transition to decarbonisation. The Australian Institute of Architects looks forward to working with all political parties to respond to the critical challenges across the built environment and ensure architecture remains at the heart of national policy discussions—delivering lasting benefits for the economy, the environment, and all Australians.
Jane Cassidy, FRAIA
National President
Australian Institute of Architects
Adam Haddow, FRAIA National
President Elect
Australian
Institute of Architects
Stuart Tanner, FRAIA
Immediate PastNational President
Australian Institute of Architects
The Embassy of Australia, Washington D.C. | Bates Smart | Photographer: Joe Fletcher
ESTABLISH A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Enhance the success of infrastructure investment by leading with climate-resilient, inclusive, healthy urban design.
Blueprint for a Future-Ready Australia: The Case for a Federal Government Architect
Establishing a Federal Government Architect of Australia within the The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) would provide the federal government with a powerful mechanism to coordinate policy, drive nationalscale innovation, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are invested in resilient, high-impact public infrastructure. This role would serve as a key advisor, ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and alignment with the nation’s broader economic, social, and environmental objectives.
National Urban and Adaptation Policies need designled leadership. A national Federal Government Architect would align housing, infrastructure, and environment, ensuring holistic, future-proof solutions. This role would champion affordable, sustainable housing, integrate First Nations knowledge, and enhance economic, social, and environmental value. With clear accountability, architecture can drive resilient, connected communities. This is not an additional layer of bureaucracy but a crucial strategic enabler—one that streamlines processes, improves coordination, and drives more effective, future-proof solutions. By fostering collaboration across sectors, advocating for best-practice design, and aligning infrastructure investment with national priorities, the Federal Government Architect would help shape an Australia that is resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive.
Fragmented decision-making, short-term political cycles, and inefficient urban planning, limit the nation’s ability to fully realise the potential of public investment. Without a unifying vision, opportunities for innovation and long-term value creation are lost. We can do this now through using integrated blue/green biodiverse and regenerative approaches.
Australia’s built environment is key to economic growth, housing affordability, climate resilience, and community well-being. To tackle these challenges, the architecture profession advocates for a Federal Government Architect—a national strategic leader who integrates and enhances existing programs to create lasting public value. This role would collaborate with government architects at state and federal levels to embed biodiversity and First Nations approaches into government procurement.
By embedding design leadership at the highest levels of government, Australia can create cities, towns, and infrastructure that are not only functional but visionary— driving prosperity, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility for future generations. This approach is reinforced by Every Building Counts¹ and backed by business leaders through the Property Council of Australia.
How Australia Can Benefit from a Design-Led Approach
1. Breaking Down Silos
The Federal Government Architect of Australia will coordinate Federal, State, and Local Government efforts to ensure strategic, well-planned investment in housing, infrastructure, and public spaces. By integrating key portfolios—including finance, health, environment, transport infrastructure, and housing—the Federal Government Architect will drive more efficient, holistic solutions that maximise economic, social, and environmental benefits.
A design-led approach will deliver cost-effective, sustainable, and accessible housing. The Federal Government Architect will advocate for proactive planning that anticipates population growth, ensuring infrastructure and public services are developed ahead of demand. This will help alleviate congestion, reduce housing shortages, and create more connected, vibrant communities.
3. Maximising Economic & Social Value
High-quality design is a strategic investment that optimises resources, reduces long-term costs, and enhances economic and social benefits. Visionary projects like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Metro demonstrate how well-designed infrastructure fosters civic pride, cultural value, and sustained economic growth.
4. Long-Term, Multipartisan Nation-Building
The Federal Government Architect will champion 50+ year strategies that transcend political cycles, ensuring longterm, consistent growth. Coordinated investment in highspeed rail, regional housing, and economic development could unlock opportunities, transforming regional Australia’s economic viability, resilience, and connectivity.
5. Delivering Measurable Impact
The Federal Government Architect will embed accountability and transparency in public projects, ensuring timely, cost-effective delivery aligned with national priorities. Clear performance metrics, rigorous reporting, and design excellence will strengthen public confidence and ensure Australia’s built environment supports prosperity, sustainability, and quality of life for future generations.
St. Patrick’s College: Scientia Building | BVN | Photographer: Tom Roe
EMBRACE INNOVATION AND MODERN CONSTRUCTION METHODS TO ADDRESS HOUSING SHORTAGES
WHILE SUPPORTING
THE TRANSITION TO NET ZERO
Architects’ expertise is essential for creating resilient, low-carbon communities. It’s time for the federal government to recognise this critical role and integrate these innovative approaches into procurement processes today.
Join the movement: building together for a greener future
Architects are at the forefront of sustainable design, shaping the transformation of Australia’s built environment through early design-phase interventions that set projects on a net-zero trajectory. Their expertise can ensure that infrastructure, housing, and public spaces are designed to be energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and adaptable to future needs. However, to fully harness their impact, the Federal Government must formally integrate architectural expertise into national procurement frameworks, ensuring sustainability is embedded from project inception.
By adopting procurement policies that deliver longterm impacts, the government can maximise the value of architectural leadership in achieving net-zero objectives. Architects are not just designers; they are problem-solvers who create high-performing, resource-efficient spaces that respond to Australia’s climate, economy, and urban challenges. Now is the time to implement policies that empower architects to drive systemic change.
We call on the government to support practical, scalable measures that leverage architects’ expertise in sustainable design. Through strategic procurement action points, lowcarbon principles can be embedded at the earliest stages of design and construction—helping us build a resilient, net-zero future for Australia.
Architects: Pioneers of a Net-Zero Future
Architects bring a holistic perspective that balances environmental responsibility with economic viability, ensuring sustainability goals do not compromise affordability or functionality. Their expertise in passive design, renewable energy, and circular economy strategies delivers long-term cost savings, lower emissions, and enhanced community well-being. Business leaders, through the Australian Institute of Company Directors, emphasise that an orderly decarbonisation transition is key to economic growth and business prosperity in Australia. By embedding architectural expertise into procurement frameworks, the government can unlock innovative, highimpact solutions that future-proof the built environment while driving industry-wide transformation towards a lowcarbon economy.
Hope Street Housing | Officer Woods Architects and MDC Architects | Photographer: Robert Frith, Acorn
Key Areas Where Government Can Integrate Design Services:
1. Procurement processes that prioritise investment
Architects embed sustainability into the fabric of urban design, ensuring new developments are planned with lowcarbon objectives from the outset.
• Mandate the inclusion of climate-positive precinct plans in procurement criteria to align early-stage projects with net-zero goals.
• Proactive procurement processes that provide confidence in early investment in innovative design and incentivise through procurement the traditional construction sectors transition to a combined modern manufacturing and high productivity construction sector and prioritise the reduction of construction waste
• Incentivise developments that enhance biodiversity, green infrastructure, and climate resilience.
2. Whole-of-Life Carbon Consideration
A lifecycle approach to design and construction— considering everything from material sourcing to operational energy use—minimises both embodied and operational emissions.
• Integrate whole-of-life carbon assessments as a compulsory requirement in infrastructure procurement, using the national standard method of carbon measurement. ²
• Encourage lifecycle costing models that bring together the economic and environmental performance value leading to increased durability and efficiency.
• Find efficiencies by optimised design strategies using technologically enabled design and delivery processes within procurement. Particularly at concept development and guidelines where materials, waste, 100% electrification and renewables can be integrated early.
3. Early Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
Sustainable design is most effective when architects, engineers, and policymakers collaborate from the outset.
• Require the formation of integrated multidisciplinary approaches in procurement contracts to ensure early cross-disciplinary coordination on net-zero targets.
• Incentivise stakeholder engagement processes that establish shared decarbonisation strategies across the project lifecycle.
• Promote design competitions and research partnerships to encourage innovation in sustainable urban development.
Architects are leading the shift toward sustainable construction by prioritising low-carbon materials and designing for future adaptability.
• Establish procurement standards that prioritise the use of certified low-carbon, recycled, or sustainably sourced materials.
• Require lifecycle and deconstruction strategy reporting in tender documents to promote adaptive reuse, material recovery, and waste minimisation, progressively evolving to circularity reporting.
• Support policies that phase out high-emission materials and incentivise the adoption of regenerative design techniques.
5. Digital & Technological Innovation
Advanced digital tools enable architects to optimise energy performance, reduce material waste, and improve long-term sustainability outcomes.
• Promote the use of parametric modelling, digital twins, and smart monitoring systems in procurement and in asset management over the life of buildings to ensure resource-efficient design.
• Support procurement policies that integrate predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring solutions for long-term sustainability performance.
• Foster the adoption of AI-driven analytics to improve operational efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
6. Advocacy for Policy & Cultural Shifts
Architects are championing systemic changes in procurement, advocating for policies that prioritise sustainable and net-zero-ready infrastructure.
• Require public infrastructure projects to integrate netzero-ready design mandates as part of procurement.
• Embed sustainability performance benchmarks into government contracts, ensuring continuous improvement in decarbonisation efforts.
• Support education and professional development initiatives that strengthen industry-wide commitment to sustainable, climate-responsive design.
By embedding these procurement action points into government policies, Australia can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Architects have the skills, knowledge, and vision to shape a sustainable future—it’s time to unlock their full potential through forward-thinking procurement reform.
DELIVER HEALTHY, EQUITABLE, AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING THAT STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Architect-led design is key to solving Australia’s housing crisis. Supporting architects means investing in affordable, sustainable homes that prioritise people, reduce government spending, and stabilise the housing market for long-term resilience.
Nightingale Village | Hayball and Breathe and Architecture architecture and Austin Maynard Architects and Clare Cousins Architects and Kennedy Nolan | Photographer: Tom Ross
Better homes, stronger communities
Urgent investment in transport, housing, education, and health infrastructure is essential to meet the demands of a growing population. However, speed of delivery must not come at the cost of quality, sustainability, or liveability. It is critical that Australia’s built environment remains resilient, safe, and well-designed, ensuring longterm benefits for communities.
Architects play a crucial role in shaping high-quality outcomes through design leadership, advisory roles, and the commissioning and design and project management of construction projects. Their expertise ensures that new developments integrate sustainability, liveability, affordability and efficiency from the outset, maximising value for both residents and the broader community.
In the delivery of higher-density housing solutions—such as apartments and townhouses—a thoughtful design approach is essential. Maximising liveability within given constraints of floorspace, height, and aspect requires careful consideration of privacy, natural light, ventilation, storage, and shared amenities. These factors play a crucial role in quality of life, public health, and well-being and must be a top priority in Australia’s housing strategy.
Similarly, infrastructure investment in transport, health, and education should not focus solely on capacity but also on long-term performance and community impact. Thoughtful design enhances passive energy efficiency, reducing cooling and heating costs while ensuring buildings remain comfortable during power outages. A well-designed precinct also reduces urban heat, prioritises neighbourhood character, outdoor recreation spaces, and accessibility to essential services such as schools, libraries, retail, and public transport.
Achieving Australia’s 2050 net-zero targets requires more than electrification and energy supply-side interventions—it demands a sector-wide transformation.
• The establishment of a National Government Architect to provide strategic oversight in urban planning, procurement, and economic analysis.
• The introduction of carbon measurement through the national sysem of measurement, emission accounting, and portfolio decarbonisation to drive sustainable urban investment.
• Whole-of-life carbon assessments in the early design phase, forming a ‘design metric’ to guide sustainable decision-making.
• Invest in changes to the NCC to recognise nuance within the Class 2 residential apartment typology to ensure that
• apartment buildings are optimised for safety, affordability and carbon and that appropriate strategies are implemented to differentiate between six storey missing middle typologies and sixty storey towers
• The integration of upfront carbon targets into the National Construction Code (NCC) to support dematerialisation and decarbonisation efforts, using existing evolving NABERS and NatHERS systems.
• Prioritising adaptive reuse and sustainable retrofits over knockdown-rebuild to extend building lifespan and preserve heritage.
Key Actions for Achieving Net-Zero Goals
1. Material Selection & Specification: Prioritise lowcarbon materials such as mass timber, recycled content, and low-emission concrete, using Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to inform choices.
2. Design for Efficiency & Circularity: Optimise building orientation, passive design strategies, and highperformance building envelopes to reduce energy demand while ensuring adaptability and long-term reuse.
3. Integrating Whole-of-Life Carbon Assessment: Apply life-cycle assessment from the concept stage to reduce upfront carbon, track carbon budgets, and promote sustainable material use.
4. Advocating for Policy & Incentives: Support green procurement leadership, push for low-carbon building mandates, and encourage sustainable planning controls at the local government level.
5. Promoting Sustainable Housing Solutions: Encourage modest housing sizes, missing middle typologies, and long-life, loose-fit floor planning for cost-effective adaptability. Prioritise social, public, and affordable housing near services and public transport to enhance accessibility and reduce emissions.
By embedding these strategies early in the design process, Australia can deliver infrastructure and housing that is not only efficient and resilient but also enhances community well-being while meeting ambitious net-zero targets.
Housing Affordability, Quality,
and Sustainability: The Case for Architect-Led Design
Housing is a fundamental human need, yet affordability remains a challenge in Australia. Recent intergenerational research highlights three primary concerns: climate change, the rising cost of living and affordable housing, and access to quality public transport⁷. In Australia every generation cites affordable housing as their top concern, closely followed by sustainable communities. The good news is the research says that the majority of Australians are prepared to live in more diverse communities with social, affordable and public housing and young people and older people want change for a more equitable future.⁷
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council’s (ASBEC) Embodied Carbon Issues Paper (2024) ³ underscores the urgency of reducing upfront embodied carbon to achieve net-zero by 2050. Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) Embodied Carbon Projections Report (2024) ⁴ further supports this, demonstrating how early design interventions can significantly lower emissions. Governments have a critical role in enabling these reductions by embedding sustainable design principles into policies, procurement strategies, and planning frameworks. By empowering architects, the government can drive the use of sustainable materials, prioritise retrofit-first approaches, and integrate circular economy solutions.
Detached homes can achieve net-zero outcomes with early design interventions that prioritize efficiency, grid responsiveness, and low embodied carbon. As construction evolves with modular housing, advanced materials, and offsite manufacturing, the National Construction Code (NCC) must undergo regular reviews to support innovation, prevent building failures, and streamline sustainable construction. A responsive NCC will enhance productivity while making high-quality, lowcarbon homes more accessible and cost-effective.
The Canberra Low Carbon Housing Challenge showcases architects’ progress toward net-zero goals, proving that affordable, sustainable housing is achievable even in Australia’s most challenging climate zones⁸. Many of the 90 architect-designed homes in the competition achieved 50-100% carbon emissions reductions while meeting affordability criteria. If it’s possible in Canberra, it’s possible nationwide—by integrating good design principles early. This challenge highlights the power of architecture, innovation, and sustainable design in shaping a better future for all.
Key Actions for Affordable, HighQuality, and Sustainable Housing
1. Smarter Housing Sizes
• Increasingly larger oversized homes relative to the Australian Average size home contribute to high lifecycle costs, poor affordability and housing choice.
• Planning reforms should encourage missing middle housing and prioritise developments near public transport to maximise accessibility and reduce infrastructure strain.
2. Whole-of-Life Carbon Measurement
• Housing costs must consider capital expenditure, operational expenses, and carbon impacts.
• Sustainable housing reduces energy bills, improving long-term affordability.
• Retrofitting existing buildings should be prioritised to enhance sustainability and reduce emissions.
3. Passive Design & Biodiversity Integration
• High-performing building envelopes, thermal mass, and passive design principles can significantly reduce energy demand.
• Urban biodiversity should be integrated into housing developments, aligning with blue-green infrastructure to enhance environmental resilience and reduce urban heat.
4. Architect-Led Design
• Architect-designed homes are of higher quality, more sustainable, and deliver greater long-term value.
• Good design is the driving force behind innovation and productivity in the construction industry. By leveraging modern construction methods, it facilitates the transition to a high-productivity, integrated construction and manufacturing sector—one capable of meeting the growing demand for affordable housing.
5. Update to NCC requirements
• Recognise that the ‘one size fits all’ regulatory environment no longer appropriately reflects the diversity and complexity of residential apartment construction in Australia
• Appropriate levels of infrastructure investment prioritising residential apartment buildings and “missing middle” housing will result in more affordable housing outcomes
• Investment in sustainable and climate resilient communities will result in smaller operating carbon footprints of our cities.
Every $1 invested in an architect returns $11.40 in capital appreciation.
Architect-designed homes appreciate in value — by up to $256,000 over a decade.
Six Ways House | Kennedy Nolan | Photographer: Derek Swalwell
STRENGTHEN BUILDING CODES AND SUPPORT AN ORDERLY DECARBONISATION TRANSITION THROUGH THE NCC AND THE ABCB
Embedding a stronger and more agile regulatory framework will protect industry, consumers and investment.
Modern Construction, Smarter Regulation: A Win for All
Proactive policy action is essential to create thriving, climate-resilient communities while achieving Australia’s decarbonisation and net-zero targets. Thoughtfully merging heritage with climate-responsive design ensures that our built environment remains both culturally significant and future-ready.
To accelerate decarbonisation, green finance metrics must extend beyond energy efficiency to include upfront carbon reduction in materials and construction. The National Construction Code (NCC) plays a critical role in this transition, ensuring that new and existing buildings are resilient to climate impacts while supporting affordable, insurable housing.
The Australian Institute of Architects urges federal policymakers to commit to ongoing, systematic updates to the NCC, ensuring Australia’s built environment remains safe, sustainable, and adaptable to changing climate conditions, emerging technologies, and evolving consumer expectations.
Government Action is Essential
A well-funded Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and a progressively updated NCC are vital to ensuring Australia’s construction sector remains globally competitive and aligned with international best practices. Federal support for modernised regulations will:
• Establish clear quality and verification standards across the construction sector and supply chain.
• Boost private sector confidence in investing in a netzero economy.
• Reduce consumer risks while creating more resilient, future-proof housing.
Why Prioritising a Modernised NCC Matters
• Safety & Structural Integrity: Ensuring buildings meet the latest safety and durability standards, reducing risks of structural failures, fire hazards, and long-term defects.
• Climate Adaptation & Sustainability: Supporting netzero emissions targets through better energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and climate-responsive design.
• Keeping the NCC Current: Enables the adoption of modern method of construction including sustainable materials, digital design tools, and cutting-edge construction and manufacturing methods, fostering productivity, efficiency and sustainability.
• Consumer Protection & Accountability: Strengthening building quality regulations to prevent defects, ensuring developers, builders, and professionals adhere to best practices.
• Economic & Insurance Benefits: Well-regulated buildings reduce insurance costs and long-term maintenance expenses, minimising economic losses from defects and disasters. A robust NCC framework enhances investment confidence, ensuring an orderly, prosperous decarbonisation transition while driving economic growth.
• A modernised, climate-responsive NCC is not just necessary: it is a national priority that will safeguard communities, economies, and the environment for future generations.
Studios 54 | Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects: Photographer: Brett Boardman
USE ARCHITECTS AND OTHER LICENCED
PROFESSIONALS TO IMPROVE
URBAN OUTCOMES, SAFETY,
AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
By placing registered design professionals at the forefront of policy and urban development, we can ensure that cities are safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible. A design-led approach prioritises quality, sustainability, and long-term value, protecting consumers while accelerating Australia’s transition to a zero-carbon future.
Empowering Architects to Drive Market Transformation
Reducing upfront embodied carbon is essential to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as outlined in the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council’s (ASBEC) Embodied Carbon Issues Paper (2024). Similarly, Infrastructure Australia’s Embodied Carbon Projections for Australian Infrastructure and Buildings Report (2024) highlights how early design interventions can significantly lower carbon footprints. Governments can unlock these savings by integrating architects’ expertise into policies, procurement strategies, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Architects play a pivotal role in shifting markets toward sustainable materials, retrofit-first approaches, and circular economy solutions. By embedding carbon reduction as a primary design metric, they can drastically cut embodied carbon during the earliest design stages.
Design Leadership for a Sustainable Future
As the built environment undergoes rapid decarbonisation, there is an urgent need for a shift in policy to focus not just on the verification of end-building products, but also on the front-end design process and urban interventions. To ensure the success of retrofits and adaptations, a higher level of expertise from design professionals is essential. Government policies should facilitate cross-sector collaboration, reward innovation in low-carbon design, and foster systemic change that prioritises the reduction of embodied carbon from the outset.
This policy transition will empower architects and other design professionals—such as engineers, planners, and landscape architects—who possess a unique, collaborative skillset critical for creating sustainable, adaptable urban environments. Their education, rigorous competency assessments, and commitment to ethical practice are foundational for delivering projects that meet present needs while securing a sustainable future. By embedding design excellence in policymaking, governments can drive meaningful progress in building a resilient and low-carbon built environment for all stakeholders.
Key Actions for Government:
1. Prioritising Design-led Interventions that Leverage Expertise of Registered Professionals: Protecting consumer and government investments in the built environment.
2. Decarbonisation Hierarchy: Prioritise retrofit-first policies, adaptive reuse, and sustainable material selection in planning and procurement.
3. Whole-Life Carbon Considerations: Embed circular economy principles, designing for adaptability, longevity, and end-of-life reuse.
4. Enhancing Decision-Making: Transition from prescriptive material requirements to performancebased specifications that empower architects to achieve better sustainability outcomes.
5. Early Collaboration: Require early engagement between architects, builders, and material suppliers to integrate embodied carbon analysis into design and procurement.
6. Government Procurement Leadership: Set ambitious low-carbon design standards for publicly funded projects, using flagship developments to showcase best practices.
7. Education and Awareness: Support industry-wide knowledge-sharing initiatives to embed low-carbon principles into professional practice and construction standards.
In line with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ Shergold Weir Building Confidence Report⁵ and the recommendations in the Australian Institute of Architects NSW Building Bill submission⁶, a key recommendation is highlighted to enhance consumer confidence and outcomes: registered professionals have the expertise to manage the complexity and risks of highrise and high-stakes developments. These specialised skills are essential in safeguarding consumers, as the expert training of registered professionals ensures that designled solutions are executed to protect consumers and meet community expectations for safety and construction quality.
References
1. Green Building Council of Australia. (n.d.). Every building counts. Retrieved from https://new.gbca.org.au/news/gbca-news/ every-building-counts/
2. Infrastructure Australia. (2021, November). Embodied carbon projections in Australian infrastructure and buildings. Retrieved from https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/reports/embodied-carbon-projections-australian-infrastructureand-buildings#:~:text=The%20upfront%20embodied%20carbon%20in%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20pipeline%20 of,unless%20deliberate%20action%20is%20taken%20to%20reduce%20this.
3. Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council. (2020). Issues paper: Embodied carbon emissions in Australia’s built environment. Retrieved from https://www.asbec.asn.au/research-items/issues-paper-embodied-carbon-emissions-inaustralias-built-environment/front-page-shot_page_01/
4. Infrastructure Australia. (2021, November). Embodied carbon projections in Australian infrastructure and buildings. Retrieved from https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/reports/embodied-carbon-projections-australian-infrastructureand-buildings
5. Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. (2018). Building Ministers’ Forum: Expert assessment of building confidence. Retrieved from chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.industry.gov.au/sites/default/ files/July%202018/document/pdf/building_ministers_forum_expert_assessment_-_building_confidence.pdf
6. Australian Institute of Architects. (2023, February). NSW Building Bill update. Retrieved from https://www.architecture.com. au/archives/news_media_articles/nsw-building-bill-update
7. GHD. (2024, July 15). Crossroads study presents global insights into community sentiment on infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.ghd.com/en-au/about-ghd/news/15-07-2024-crossroads-study-presents-global-insights-into-communitysentiment-on-infrastructure
