The ABCB Office is a professional, technical and administrative team that provides support to the Board and executes its ongoing work program.

Constitutional responsibility for regulating the built environment rests with the states and territories, who are therefore responsible for enforcing the NCC.

The ABCB Office is responsible for:

  • executing the work program agreed by the Board
  • updating, amending and maintaining the NCC
  • administering and managing the WaterMark and CodeMark Australia Certification Schemes
  • undertaking research projects and regulatory impact analysis
  • consultation and liaison
  • managing and coordinating technical committee activities
  • advising on policy development
  • disseminating information and awareness raising
  • supporting practitioners through educational and professional development resources
  • providing clarification on NCC content
  • other matters as determined by the Board.

As the states and territories are responsible for regulating the built environment, state or territory government building and plumbing administration should be contacted for the following matters which fall outside the jurisdiction of the ABCB.

  • Rulings, interpretations or classifications, advice or dispute resolutions on specific construction projects or state or territory variations
  • Occupational health and safety guidelines and legislation
  • Workmanship control, quality, durability of materials or other building-related aspects not specifically required by the NCC
  • Regulation concerning demolition, site-related industrial matters and asbestos removal
  • Administrative documents such as contracts, permits, compliance inspections and reports, stop-work notices and certificates
  • Licensing and auditing of building and plumbing practitioners
  • Regulatory offences and penalties and appeal processes
  • Planning issues such as subdivision allotment orientation, minimum set-backs and fence heights