NSW Premier Chris Minns says new powers will allow the state to maintain construction quality while addressing the urgent demand for new homes.

In a move to bolster the building industry's integrity, Minns has announced the introduction of enhanced enforcement powers and a $24 million funding boost for the NSW Building Commission in November.

The reforms empower the state’s commissioner to inspect any dwelling in NSW during construction and mandate builders to rectify defects before project completion. 

Minns says there is a need for homebuyers to have confidence in a robust regulatory framework.

The changes also aim to strengthen compliance measures, targeting intentional phoenixing activities by revoking or refusing construction licences. 

To ensure the safety of building products, new responsibilities are assigned across the supply chain.

In a bid to maintain quality standards across developments, the government has also endorsed a pattern book of housing designs for low-rise and mid-rise buildings. 

Anoulack Chanthivong, the fair trading and better regulation minister, says that these new powers would leave no room for dishonest practices in the market.

The Premier has criticised the previous Coalition government's “decade of inaction”, asserting that the lax system in place was a result of their negligence. 

Since Labor assumed power, four building certifiers have had their licences cancelled due to professional misconduct.

Further reforms set to pass this week will compel builders to address defects during construction, marking a significant enhancement of the NSW Building Commission's authority. 

The legislation aims to boost public confidence in off-plan home purchases, a crucial component of the state's housing strategy.

The government has allocated $24 million to establish the NSW Building Commission, staffed by 400 inspectors transferred from Fair Trading, with a focus on eradicating fraudulent practices in the construction industry.