The National Construction Code (NCC) incorporates all on-site building and plumbing requirements into a single code, setting out the minimum requirements for the design, construction and performance of buildings throughout Australia.
The National Construction Code is Australia’s primary set of technical design and construction provisions for buildings. As a performance-based code, it sets the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of certain buildings. The Australian Building Codes Board, on behalf of the Australian Government and each State and Territory government, produces and maintains the National Construction Code.
Versions of the NCC
The NCC has a statutory requirement for compliance, and you should always review and check that your work complies with the applicable sections of the code.
If you’re not working with the right version of the NCC, you’re in breach of their statutory and contractual obligations, so make sure you’re across the recent changes.
The NCC 2022 came into effect on 1 May 2023. The accessible housing, energy efficiency, condensation management, and provision for electric vehicle charging will commence from 1 October 2023. The Queensland Government has proposed a small number of draft amendments to livable housing, energy efficiency and grading to floor waste provisions. This includes a transition until March 2025 for narrow lots with a frontage of 12.5m or less already titled only in relation to livable housing provisions.
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Other Codes
In Queensland we also refer to the Queensland Development Code (QDC), which contains, amongst other things, Queensland variations to the National Construction Code and consolidates Queensland-specific building standards into a single document.
The QDC covers Queensland matters that are outside the scope of, and in addition to, the National Construction Code (e.g. requirements for energy efficiency).
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) are given legal status in Queensland by reference in the Building Act 1975 and the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation.
Australian Standards
Many Australian Standards are called up in regulation such as the National Construction Code.
Australian Standards help maintain the safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of building in Australia. They outline rules, guidelines and detailed technical specifications, and are referenced in many industry regulations, including the National Construction Code (NCC), safety of machinery, structures relating to concrete and masonry, elements and structures of building, equipment, technology, internal and external elements and much, much more.
Master Builders continues to fight for Australian Standards that are called up in regulation to be freely available. In the meantime, they can purchased from a number of suppliers, including Standards Australia.
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