Australian Home Building Glossary (2026): 128 Construction Terms Explained

Tradie Slang

Hills Hoist

George Giannakakis

By George Giannakakis · B.Arch.Studies · M.Arch (UniSA) · RLA300580

Last reviewed: · How we research

Heard on site

"There is no room for a Hills Hoist on a 300m² block, and that is the whole story of Australian housing."

Regional note: Adelaide invention. National icon.

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Hills Hoist explained in detail

The rotary clothesline. Invented in Adelaide by Lance Hill in 1945 and in almost every backyard by the 1960s. Now a heritage icon, a thing kids swing on, and increasingly a casualty of blocks under 400m². If your new estate has a covenant banning clotheslines visible from the street, this is what they mean.

What are Estate Covenants and Guidelines?
27m 19s
Watch: Hills Hoist in contextSponsored byHome Building Hub
What are Estate Covenants and Guidelines?

In this episode we dive into design guidelines, otherwise known as estate requirements or covenants. We help you understand what design guidelines are, provide some examples for you and also outline the reason for design guidelines along with a few tips at the end.

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Related Terms

Authoritative Sources

Verify against the binding rules in your state

BuildPilot is an independent Australian building platform, we publish guidance, we don't hold a building licence. Every Australian residential build must comply with the National Construction Code plus state-specific Acts and consumer-protection law. The authorities below are the primary sources of truth for the rules that actually apply to your project.

National

Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)

The primary national set of technical building standards that every Australian build must comply with. Volume 2 covers Class 1 & 10 buildings (most homes).

Standards Australia

Specific material, product and method standards (e.g. AS 3700 masonry, AS 1684 timber framing) referenced by the NCC.

HIA

National peak body for residential builders. Publishes the most widely used home-building contracts and consumer guidance.

Master Builders Australia

National peak body for general builders. Publishes commercial and residential contracts and industry guidance.

Links above open the public website of each authority. BuildPilot is not affiliated with these bodies and does not act on their behalf. Information on this page is general - check the current edition of the NCC and the relevant state Act for binding requirements.

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