The Master Builders Podcast

Max, Ben and Master Builders Chief Economist check in for the 6-month Forecasts update.  Get your copy of the Master Builders Australia Building and Construction Industry Forecasts at masterbuilders.com.au/forecasts

Max and Ben chat with Neil Savery, Managing Director of the ICC Oceania, about the launch of the Building Product Information Good Practice Conformity Guide to be held in Sydney on February 25.  To register for the event head to building-products-summit-2026.replit.app 

Hosts Max Rafferty and Ben Conolly speak with Master Builders Australia's Chief Economist Shane Garrett about the release of the September Building and Construction Industry Forecasts. 

The Master Builders Podcast is back!  Master Builders' National Manager Technical Policy, Max Rafferty, chats with David Denney, the Federal Safety Commission about the OFSC, the HAFF scheme and the WHS Accreditation Scheme.  Season 4, Episode 1

We're bringing back Shaun Schmitke, MBA National Director of IR for more on the sweeping changes to industrial relations happening right now.    We caught up with Shaun to get the latest about proposed changes to industrial relations legislation and what this will mean for independent contracts, self-employed tradies and people in the industry who want to be their own boss. To learn more visit: www.defendyourrights.com.au

Are you starting up your first business?  Are you setting up your business systems and procedures? Is your business growing? Don't let tax time catch you out.  Our second Tax Time podcast guest says that preparing for paying tax is an essential part of your business planning and financial management.  Aaron Froud is a Partner at BellchambersBarrett in Canberra with over 20 years professional experience across business, tax and accounting engagements.  Aaron takes us through, the pitfalls, traps, hot tips, and latest advice on preparing your business for tax time.       

Is it time you caught up on the latest news on tax deductions? Where can I find a one-stop-shop for the latest news on tax for small businesses? Is there an ATO website just for tradies? Where do I reach out for support? Our latest podcast guest has the answers and will tell you where to find everything you need to know.  Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh is the ATO spokesperson for Tax Time.  You may have seen him on morning TV breakfast shows across the country, and our Tax Time conversation with Tim has just dropped on Master Builders podcasts with your host Max Rafferty. This will be the first of a special two part series featuring conversations with tax experts. Stay tuned for our conversation with Aaron Froud from Bell Chambers Barrett, where we continue to ask the important questions for small business. For further information on tax and finding support: www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/contact-us www.ato.gov.au/cantlodgeorpay www.ato.gov.au/tradies www.ato.gov.au/business/small-business-newsroom www.ato.gov.au/buildingconstruction    

We recently released our blueprint for future-proofing the building and construction industry’s workforce in wake of a shortage of half a million workers. With critical shortages across industries and skill levels hindering economic recovery and productivity growth, we chat with Jennifer Lawrence, Manager Industry Policy,  about what will be needed in the coming years and the policy priorities for attracting, recruiting, training and retaining workers for the industry. We also catch up with our Chief Economist Shane Garrett for the latest on inflation, interest rates and supply costs in the building and construction industry

We’d like to revisit a great conversation we had with Jock Merrigan Founding Director of Urban Habitats (SA) that we first released on our podcast channel in April 2021. Jock has over 20 years of experience in the residential building industry. We spoke to Jock about achieving unique quality outcomes. He shared with us his experience in growing a successful and sustainable business and giving back to the industry.