Master Builders Victoria Joins CAFA

Master Builders Victoria (MBV) has been the peak body for Victoria's building and construction industry since 1875, and we are delighted to have them join the CAFA Collective. MBV represents around 6,500 members across the full breadth of the sector: residential and commercial builders, civil and engineering contractors, principal contractors, subcontractors, tradespeople, manufacturers, suppliers, and apprentices. It is one of Australia's most established and broad-based construction industry associations, operating across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

MBV supports its members through advocacy and government representation, OHS, IR and legal advice, training, builders registration assistance, and sustainability guidance.

Why this matters

The construction sector is one of the most significant points of intervention in Australia's transition to net zero, and it makes the work of a peak body like MBV central to whether that transition actually reaches the people doing the building.

The challenge for any construction industry association is scale and heterogeneity. MBV's membership spans sole traders, small builders, large commercial contractors, and everything in between - the skills, resources, and readiness to act on sustainability vary enormously across that population, which is exactly why association-level support matters. What an individual small builder cannot navigate alone, an industry body can map, resource, and make accessible.

MBV is already building that capacity, providing training courses and advisory services on sustainability for builders in the commercial market, and supporting professionals in the domestic market with building energy-efficient and sustainable housing.

MBV's sustainability work centres on helping members navigate the major regulatory changes reshaping how homes are built in Victoria. Through a dedicated video series and webinars funded by the Victorian Government through Solar Victoria's Electrification Training and Workforce Development program, MBV has been preparing builders for the state's requirement for all-electric homes from 1 January 2027. MBV has also run webinars to help members transition from 6-star to 7-star energy efficiency ratings under the National Construction Code.

Beyond compliance, MBV's Green Living program goes further, equipping builders with the knowledge and tools to construct homes that exceed minimum standards. Members who complete the training and meet accreditation requirements can apply to become recognised Green Living builders, allowing them to market their expertise in sustainable construction to clients who want more than the code requires.

Joining the CAFA Collective

"Master Builders Victoria decided to join CAFA because they understand that industry associations have a wide and varied membership base and assisting them to take action on reducing their emissions can be an incremental process that requires support and guidance." said Dr. Philip Alviano, Sustainable Building Advisor, Master Builders Victoria

As part of the CAFA Collective, MBV gains access to the peer network, resources, and personalised support that CAFA provides to help membership organisations develop and strengthen what they offer their own members on sustainability. Given the size and diversity of MBV's membership, the ability to benchmark against comparable associations and draw on tailored guidance will be useful as MBV continues to build the sustainability offer across its member base.

"Master Builders Victoria is the kind of organisation that can move the needle on sustainability in the built environment. MBV is well placed to translate major regulatory shifts now reshaping the industry into practical capability on the ground, thanks to its deep reach into the building and construction workforce. We're delighted to welcome them into the CAFA Collective of membership associations committed to change." Alison Heppenstall, CEO and Founder of Climate Action for Associations.

If your organisation is navigating the sustainability landscape and looking for a network and resources to support that journey, CAFA membership is free and open to all membership organisations. Join the CAFA Collective today.