NCC Updates

Updated 7 May 2026.

This page will be updated as new information becomes available.

With the changes to our NCC set to take place this year, we're here to help you avoid disaster by staying on top of it all.

Watch this space for upcoming updates and changes as they happen.

General Information

Understanding the new NatHERS 2022 weather and climate files - link here

Effective 29 July 2025, NCC 2022 Amendment 1 is superseded by NCC 2022 Amendment 2

Effective 1 May 2025 - NCC 2022 Amendment 1

NCC 2022 Amendment 1 with edits, removals and revisions highlighted
Volume One amendments
Volume Two amendments

1 May 2026 - ABCB NCC 2025 Announcement - link here

There will be minimal changes to residential provisions and NatHERS software tools as part of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 updates. This is because unlike NCC 2022, the cycle is primarily focused on commercial buildings.

Area Summary of change from NCC 2022 to NCC 2025
Commercial energy efficiency This is one of the main NCC 2025 change areas. Volume One Section J changes for buildings other than Class 2 introduce stronger commercial energy efficiency provisions, including mandatory on-site solar photovoltaic systems, higher requirements for building envelopes and services, and improved lighting control requirements. (Australian Building Codes Board)
Water management NCC 2025 includes improved water management provisions in Volume One Section F, with updated definitions in Schedule 1. These changes are aimed particularly at improving water ingress management in commercial and apartment buildings. (Australian Building Codes Board)
Carpark fire safety Fire safety provisions for carparks have been strengthened. Changes include sprinkler protection for open-deck carparks, other than stand-alone open-deck carparks, and fewer situations where concessions to fire-resistance levels apply. (Australian Building Codes Board)
Condensation mitigation NCC 2025 updates condensation management provisions, including Volume One Part F8 and Housing Provisions Part 10.8. ABCB notes reduced ventilation requirements for small roofs as an example of the changes. (Australian Building Codes Board)
All-gender sanitary facilities Volume One Part F4 now permits the optional installation of all-gender sanitary facilities instead of separate male and female facilities. (Australian Building Codes Board)
Performance Solutions NCC 2025 amends the requirements for structural reliability and fire safety Performance Solutions. Changes to A2G2, B1P1 and H1P1 are intended to support more consistent and robust Performance Solutions. (Australian Building Codes Board)
Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems NCC 2025 clarifies that plastic pipe is not to be used above ground in combined sprinkler and hydrant systems that reference AS 2118.6. (Australian Building Codes Board)
Proposed but not included:
Residential energy efficiency No additional residential energy efficiency stringency has been introduced in NCC 2025.

The 7-star residential energy efficiency requirements introduced under NCC 2022 remain in place. Proposed changes to Volume Two Part H6 and Housing Provisions Part 13 are not proceeding, and NCC 2025 reflects the existing NCC 2022 Amendment 2 requirements for these parts. (National Construction Code)
Class 2 apartments energy efficiency Proposed amendments to Volume One Section J for Class 2 buildings are not proceeding. NCC 2022 Amendment 2 remains applicable for Class 2 buildings. (Australian Building Codes Board)
EV charging readiness Proposed new EV charging readiness provisions for Volume Two and the Housing Provisions are not included in NCC 2025. Proposed amendments to Volume One J9D4 for EV charging facilities are also not included. (Australian Building Codes Board)
Fire separation of roofed outdoor areas Proposed changes to Housing Provisions Part 9.6 for fire separation of roofed outdoor areas are not included in NCC 2025. (Australian Building Codes Board)

ACT

Update -7 May 2026

  • In the ACT, the NCC 2025 will commence on 1 May 2026 but will not be mandatory until May 1 2027. This means that:
  • Projects with Building Approval after 1 May 2026 and before 1 May 2027 may comply with either:
    NCC 2022 and the ACT 2022 Appendix, or
    NCC 2025 and the ACT 2025 Appendix.

Note: the version of the NCC that the project is complying with must be clearly nominated. A project cannot comply with a mix of regulations from each version.

  • Projects with Building Approval after 1 May 2027 must comply with NCC 2025 and the ACT 2025 Appendix, with the following exception:
  • Projects with a Development Application or Works Approval Application formally lodged before 1 November 2026, may continue to seek Building Approval under either NCC 2022 or NCC 2025 until that Development Application expires.
  • Projects that are unlikely to achieve Building Approval by 1 May 2027, or submit Development/Works Approval by 1 November 2026, should focus on making sure the building will meet NCC 2025.

Visit ACT Planning — National Construction Code to learn more.

NSW

Update - 7 May 2026

  • NSW will adopt NCC 2025 on 1 May 2027
  • NSW has confirmed NCC 2025 adoption from 1 May 2027 and has flagged NSW variations, including that the new NCC 2025 energy efficiency standards will not apply to common areas of apartment buildings.

Visit NSW - How to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC)

VIC

Update -7 May 2026

  • NCC 2025 becomes mandatory in Victoria from 1 May 2026.
  • The new NCC updates will only apply to projects that have not commenced design work until after 1 May 2026.
  • Projects that have already commenced construction or design when the new standards are adopted can continue to use the standards in place at the time work on the project commenced

Visit Victorian Government — Building standards in Victoria

WA

Updated -7 May 2025

  • NCC 2025 only becomes mandatory for most building permits from 1 May 2027.
  • As of May 1st, 2026, Western Australia has adopted NCC 2025 Volume One and Two.
  • New building permit applications in WA have the choice of either applying the NCC 2025 immediately or continue applying NCC 2022 Amendment 2 until 30 April 2027.

Visit WA Building and Energy Industry Bulletins

TAS

Updated - 7 May 2026

  • NCC 2025 becomes mandatory in Tasmania from 1 May 2026.
  • The Building Act 2016 contains transitional provisions that may exempt some work, including where a certificate of likely compliance was issued before 1 May 2026 or where substantial progress had been made before adoption.

Note: Tasmania has not adopted some NCC 2025 changes due to state variations, including condensation mitigation, commercial building energy efficiency and sanitary facilities.

Visit Consumer, Building and Occupational Services Tasmania — National Construction Code (NCC) 2025

SA

Update - 7 May 2026

  • NCC 2025 becomes mandatory in South Australia from 1 May 2027
  • NCC 2022 Amendment 2 remains in force until 30 April 2027.

Visit PlanSA — Building Code

QLD

Updated 31 May 2024.

  • NCC 2025 becomes mandatory in Queensland from 1 May 2027.
  • Queensland has delayed NCC 2025 adoption.
  • Until 30 April 2027 - the NCC 2022 Amendment 2 remains the mandatory standard for all building and plumbing work in Queensland.

 

Business QLD Building Guidelines

Guideline for applying transitional arrangements when building requirements change

Queensland Sustainable Homes Standard

NT

Updated - 7 May 2026

  • NCC 2025 does not currently have a mandatory adoption date in the Northern Territory.
  • The Northern Territory has gazetted that NCC 2025 does not apply in the Territory from 1 May 2026 until the next NCC edition is published.
  • NCC 2022 Amendment 2 continues to apply during that period
  • NT residential energy efficiency requirements remain jurisdiction-specific, with the NT Government stating that new houses must achieve at least a 5-star energy rating, and new apartments must achieve at least a 3.5-star energy rating, or comply using elemental provisions.

Northern Territory Government Gazette No. S31, 29 April 2026

NT Government — Energy efficiency of residential buildings

Questions? Contact DMN

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