Hunter building blitz uncovers unlicensed work and safety breaches

newy.com.au – A joint compliance blitz by Building Commission NSW and SafeWork NSW across the Hunter has resulted in $12,000 in fines, dozens of improvement notices and fresh warnings over unlicensed work and unsafe conditions on building sites.

The Minns government said the operation, carried out during March and now completed, was aimed at checking building compliance, lifting industry standards and supporting the region’s growing number of local builders. In the lead-up to the visit, Building Commission NSW inspectors checked 36 sites and issued 18 penalty infringement notices worth a total of $12,000.

The most common breaches identified in those inspections were linked to unlicensed work, with 11 penalty notices issued to contractors. No building orders were issued, with problems either fixed or in the process of being rectified. Two further penalty notices were issued for unlicensed contracting, along with a fine for missing builder signage.

SafeWork NSW inspectors also visited 27 worksites across the Hunter, focusing on risks including falls from heights and workers being struck by falling objects or mobile plant. The agency issued 57 improvement notices and five prohibition notices. Inspectors found several sites had inadequate security, including gaps in fencing that could allow unauthorised people to enter, as well as missing or inadequate principal contractor signage and a lack of toilets or handwashing facilities.

The operation also included visits to Rutherford Technology High School, Hunter Trade College and TAFE NSW Maitland, where Building Commission NSW staff and NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard spoke with students about industry experience and career pathways. About 105 high school students and around 100 TAFE students took part. Community pop-up events were also held at Charlestown Square to help residents with building-related concerns.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the roadshow was about working directly with builders to improve quality and compliance, while Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said too many businesses were still failing to meet safety rules, particularly around working at heights. Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said the work was important in a region with more than 700 active construction sites and an estimated 17,000 licence holders, while Mr Sherrard said the number of unlicensed workers remained a concern and would continue to be targeted statewide.img class=”size-large wp-image-23881″ src=”https://newy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_6372-1170×775.jpeg” alt=”” width=”1170″ height=”775″ /> newy.com.au – A joint compliance blitz by Building Commission NSW and SafeWork NSW across the Hunter has resulted in $12,000 in fines, dozens of improvement notices and fresh warnings over unlicensed work and unsafe conditions on building sites.[/caption]

The Minns government said the operation, carried out during March and now completed, was aimed at checking building compliance, lifting industry standards and supporting the region’s growing number of local builders. In the lead-up to the visit, Building Commission NSW inspectors checked 36 sites and issued 18 penalty infringement notices worth a total of $12,000.

The most common breaches identified in those inspections were linked to unlicensed work, with 11 penalty notices issued to contractors. No building orders were issued, with problems either fixed or in the process of being rectified. Two further penalty notices were issued for unlicensed contracting, along with a fine for missing builder signage.

SafeWork NSW inspectors also visited 27 worksites across the Hunter, focusing on risks including falls from heights and workers being struck by falling objects or mobile plant. The agency issued 57 improvement notices and five prohibition notices. Inspectors found several sites had inadequate security, including gaps in fencing that could allow unauthorised people to enter, as well as missing or inadequate principal contractor signage and a lack of toilets or handwashing facilities.

The operation also included visits to Rutherford Technology High School, Hunter Trade College and TAFE NSW Maitland, where Building Commission NSW staff and NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard spoke with students about industry experience and career pathways. About 105 high school students and around 100 TAFE students took part. Community pop-up events were also held at Charlestown Square to help residents with building-related concerns.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the roadshow was about working directly with builders to improve quality and compliance, while Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said too many businesses were still failing to meet safety rules, particularly around working at heights.

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said the work was important in a region with more than 700 active construction sites and an estimated 17,000 licence holders, while Mr Sherrard said the number of unlicensed workers remained a concern and would continue to be targeted statewide.