The Building Code of Australia is comprised of Volumes One and Two of the National Construction Code (NCC) and is used to assess a development application for building consent.
NCC 2022 updates
The Building Ministers Meeting (BMM) oversee the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) who have the primary role of publishing the NCC.
BMM met in August 2022 and agreed that the new NCC 2022 edition will be published on 1 October 2022, and subject to transition arrangements the NCC will have a national adoption date of 1 May 2023.
ABCB have released a second stage preview containing the final provisions that were resolved for the increased stringency for residential energy efficiency and the additional condensation mitigation measures.
The energy efficiency and livable housing provisions are among the significant changes to the NCC that will have considerable impact on the construction industry. The Building Ministers considered transitional arrangements for these requirements and have agreed that they will commence nationally on 1 October 2023. This means that although the new NCC will be in effect nationally from 1 May 2023, the energy efficiency provisions from NCC 2019 Amendment 1 will be able to be used up until 30 September 2023.
Further information is available on the Building Ministers Meeting in the Communique and on the ABCB website in relation to the NCC.
In South Australia the Building Code is adopted as part of the Building Rules under the PDI Act and variations to the Code may be gazetted by the Minister.
Following the Ministerial Liaison Group meeting on 6 November 2023, the Minister for Planning confirmed agreed outcomes of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 Implementation Working Group, which were the result of a significant amount of effort by all involved in the committee.
In accordance with the national decision, the main provisions were adopted on 1 May 2023 in South Australia. This includes all provisions except for the livable housing and energy efficiency, (including condensation mitigation) provisions.
The livable housing and energy efficiency provisions will commence in South Australia on 1 October 2024.
The transitional arrangements for South Australia acknowledge the current environment in which the building and construction industry finds itself, as it faces challenges of market capacity, supply chain disruption and workforce uncertainty, along with the additional pressures that the River Murray floods rebuilding effort have placed upon the sector.
The unique circumstances facing South Australia required the National Construction Code (NCC 2022) provisions to be tailored to our state by introducing a longer transitional period for some provisions.
In May 2024 industry was invited to provide feedback on the draft Ministerial Building Standard 007: Modifications to the Building Code of Australia which outlines how the liveable housing and energy efficiency provisions in the NCC 2022 would be delivered in South Australia from 1 October 2024. The draft MBS 007 is currently being finalised.
As the final step in introducing the NCC 2022 energy efficiency and liveability provisions in South Australia, the draft Ministerial Building Standard MBS 013: Application of NCC modern homes provisions to existing Class 1 buildings has been prepared. MBS 013 outlines how these provisions would apply to alterations, additions or repairs to existing homes.
You are invited to review and provide feedback on draft MBS 013 by Thursday, 25 July 2024 . Details of the draft Ministerial Building Standard and how to provide feedback are available on the PlanSA Other consultations webpage.
Training to assist the building industry in the transition to the implementation date of 1 October 2024 is expected to take place in August 2024.
The NCC 2022 energy efficiency (7-star equivalent) and livable housing provisions may be used voluntarily during the transition period. NCC 2019 Amendment 1 energy efficiency (6-star equivalent) provisions will continue to apply as the minimum standard in South Australia until 30 September 2024.
Advisory information will be prepared on the use of Nationwide House Energy Rating System (NatHERS) software where concessions apply under MBS 007, as well as for additions and alterations under MBS 013.
Documents
About this document
The National Construction Code of Australia (NCC) is published and maintained by the Australian Building Codes Board.
Volumes One and Two form the Building Code of Australia, and Volume Three forms the Plumbing Code of Australia, which is managed under other legislation and administered by the Office of the Technical Regulator.
The NCC is a uniform set of technical requirements for building work throughout Australia that allows for variations for climate and geological or geographic conditions.
It is given legal status through building laws and regulations in each state and territory.
It sets out minimum requirements for health and safety, amenity, accessibility and sustainability in design and construction of new buildings and new building work in existing buildings.
