Update: NSW Building Reform Legislation Impacting Interior Designers
Yesterday, DIA NSW Councillors and Interior Design Working Group leaders Mel McKenzie and Diane Fernandes, along with DIA CEO Jo Kellock and Senior Policy Advisor Denise Ryan, met with NSW Government policy makers regarding licensing of interior designers in the new legislation due to go before the NSW parliament later this year and set for implementation at the end of 2025 (as a best-case scenario).
This is another part of the sweeping legislative reforms being undertaken by the government to replace the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW).
DIA is lobbying for recognition of the interior design profession in the new NSW building regime. Following earlier consultation, submissions and meetings in 2023, NSW policy makers have been receptive to guidance from the interior design profession and have sought to understand their issues. Yesterday’s meeting dug deeper into the roles that interior designers perform in the integration of design, specialist services and the client in both Class 1, Class 2 and above classes.
There is still more information that needs to be provided to the government about how these roles fit into the life cycle of a building project and where they overlap with other practitioners. As well as how the competencies of interior designers differ from architects and building designers as well as decorators and stylists.
In other news, interior designers should be aware that since 11 December 2023, the NSW Government has been given additional powers to perform deep dives into the work of individual practitioners as well as building compliance in Class 1 buildings (residential). Thirty of these audits have been conducted to date and thirteen found to be non-compliant. The audits will occur in the early stage of construction and can be scheduled or conducted anywhere at any time. Water and fire issues remain the top issues and quality of design declarations.
Commencing April 2024 DIA will be conducting monthly online Q&A sessions for our interior design members. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding the changes to the NSW Building Regime please contact DIA policy@design.org.au or ceo@design.org.au