PCD 2025 - Alternative referenced documents

We are proposing changes to the Governing Requirements of NCC Volumes One, Two and Three to facilitate industry uptake of referenced documents.

These changes include a new way of adopting referenced documents to allow newer editions of already referenced documents, including Australian Standards, to be used to demonstrate compliance with the NCC. 

These newer versions of referenced documents are termed ‘alternative referenced documents’.

Currently, practitioners must use the edition of a referenced document listed in Schedule 2 of the NCC where it is referenced by a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provision or a Verification Method, even if there is a newer edition of the referenced document available. 

In response to industry requests to improve the availability of standards outside the 3-year NCC amendment cycle, we’re proposing changes that will mean you have the option to use a referenced document listed in either:

• Schedule 2 of the NCC, or 
• the register of alternative referenced documents. 

However, you cannot mix parts of a referenced document listed in Schedule 2 with parts of an alternative referenced document to show compliance, unless a Performance Solution is used. 

The register of alternative referenced documents will be located on the ABCB website. The register will be updated as new editions of referenced documents are published by the relevant standards writing bodies and determined suitable for referencing in the NCC.

Documents included in the alternative referenced document register will be developed in accordance with the Protocol for the Development of National Construction Code Referenced Documents and approved for reference by the ABCB. They will be listed in Schedule 2 at the next amendment of the NCC. 

Referencing new standards or documents in the NCC will follow the ABCB Proposal for Change process. If accepted, these standards will be included in NCC Schedule 2 as per the current 3-year NCC amendment cycle and will be available to use when the next edition of the NCC is adopted.

The proposed changes were initiated at the request of our Board and are in response to requests by stakeholders to expedite the adoption of Australian Standards as NCC referenced documents.

We consulted with members of our peak technical committees, the Building Codes Committee and Plumbing Code Committee.

These changes provide a new way of facilitating industry uptake of referenced documents and innovation by providing industry with additional ways of demonstrating compliance with the NCC. 

It means the benefits of new editions of referenced documents can be realised much sooner than under the current arrangement.

• What is a standard?

To read the full details of the changes, please review the NCC 2025 Public Comment Draft for Volumes One, Two, Three PCD and Section A.

To see the proposed changes to referenced documents for the next edition of the NCC, please review NCC referenced documents.

Responses to the Public Comment Draft are invited until 11:59 PM AEST Monday 1 July 2024.

In line with the ABCB's process for undertaking public consultation, comment will only be accepted through the ABCB's online Consultation Hub.

To access the Public Comment Draft and response form:

1. Download the NCC volume(s) you wish to view and provide comment. You can also download the supporting information PDF for detailed information on the more significant/complex changes.
2. Download the response form.

Once you’ve reviewed the draft, complete the response form, and include your feedback on the suggested changes to the NCC.

To submit your comments:

1. Enter our Public Comment Draft consultation hub.
2. Start by agreeing to the privacy statement.
3. Let us know if you’d like your submission published publicly.
4. Enter your contact details.
5. Upload your completed form in .doc format (please make sure each file is under 25MB) and submit.