The Australian Government amended the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act) to establish the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF) as an ongoing statutory advisory body.
On this page:
Blueprint for the Future
On 22 September 2025, the NCIF formally endorsed the Blueprint for the Future (the Blueprint). The formal endorsement represents the strong commitment and engagement of NCIF members to create lasting and tangible change across the building and construction industry. It demonstrates a new way of stakeholders working together to give way to a culture of collaboration and shared interests.
The NCIF's role is to provide advice to government on a broad range of issues relating to work in the building and construction industry including safety, workplace relations, skills and training, industry culture, diversity and gender equity, and productivity.
The NCIF is required to meet at least twice per year.
Forward Workplan
The Forward Workplan outlines a clear pathway to deliver the 9 priority recommendations of the NCIF’s Blueprint, complementing work already underway across governments and industry.
Potential Commonwealth standards for the construction industry
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, announced on 1 May 2026 the government’s intention to consult on potential standalone Commonwealth standards for the construction industry, to set clear expectations and support improved behaviours and outcomes in the construction industry. These potential standards will be considered alongside the NCIF’s ongoing work program, including development of a Charter and other Blueprint priorities relating to procurement best practice and regulatory settings and enforcement. A media release featuring more detail on the consultation is available below.
Register of Interest
To receive updates about the NCIF’s work, including the potential Commonwealth standards for the construction industry , please register your interest on the following page:
Members
The NCIF is chaired by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (the Minister), the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP.
The Fair Work Act provides that the Minister must appoint one or more members with experience representing employees in the building and construction industry and an equal number of members with experience representing employers in the industry, including at least one member with experience representing contractors and one member with experience in small to medium sized enterprises in the residential building sector.
The NCIF comprises the following members:
Government
| Position | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP | Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations |
| Member | The Hon Clare O'Neil MP | Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Cities |
| Member | The Hon Catherine King MP | Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government |
| Member | The Hon Andrew Giles MP | Minister for Skills and Training |
Employees
| Position | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Tony Callinan | Australian Workers’ Union |
| Member | Paul Farrow | Australian Workers' Union |
| Member | Robyn Fortescue | Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union |
| Member | Steve Murphy | Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union |
| Member | Kristen Reid | Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union |
| Member | Michael Wright | Electrical Trades Union |
| Member | Vacant | |
| Member | Vacant |
Employers
| Position | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Brent Crockford | Australian Owned Contractors |
| Member | Jon Davies | Australian Constructors Association |
| Member | Stewart Joyce | National Electrical and Communications Association |
| Member | Jocelyn Martin | Housing Industry Association |
| Member | Alison Mirams | Independent (formerly of Roberts Co) |
| Member | Nicholas Proud | Civil Contractors Federation Australia |
| Member | Denita Wawn | Master Builders Australia |
| Member | Mike Zorbas | Property Council Australia |
Terms of Reference for the National Construction Industry Forum
The Terms of Reference for the National Construction Industry Forum were endorsed by the members of the Forum at its first meeting on 20 October 2023.
Communiqués
- National Construction Industry Forum Meeting Communiqué – 22 September 2025
- National Construction Industry Forum Meeting Communiqué – 27 June 2025
- National Construction Industry Forum Meeting Communiqué – 16 October 2024
- National Construction Industry Forum Meeting Communiqué – 23 February 2024
- National Construction Industry Forum Meeting Communiqué – 20 October 2023