What are the proposed changes?

We’re proposing changes to the documents referenced in NCC Volumes One, Two, Three and the ABCB Housing Provisions Standard (Housing Provisions). 

The changes are to help ensure the NCC remains current and reflects industry practice.

You can find a list of current referenced documents in Schedule 2 of the NCC and we’ve included a summary of the potential changes to the referenced documents for the next edition of the NCC in Table 1 below for your awareness. 

Note: The content of Table 1 is subject to further changes and Schedule 2 of the NCC will not be confirmed until closer to finalisation of the next edition of the NCC.

Why are these changes proposed?

Reference documents provide a means of complying, or a means for demonstrating compliance, with the Performance Requirements of the NCC. They include Australian Standards, ABCB Protocols, ABCB Standards and other publications.

The reference documents in Schedule 2 of the NCC support the technical provisions of the NCC. 

We regularly review the NCC referenced documents in collaboration with the technical committees of Standards Australia and other standards writing bodies. This ensures that the NCC continues to promote safety, sustainability and efficiency in the construction industry while also ensuring that they keep pace with new technologies as well as any changes to the NCC.

How were the changes developed?

The documents that will be referenced in the next edition of the NCC are developed according to the Protocol for the Development of National Construction Code Referenced Documents (Protocol). This protocol assists organisations preparing or revising documents proposed for referencing in the NCC. 

The objective of the Protocol is to ensure documents are appropriate for regulatory use, undergo a consistent and transparent development process, and have a suitable format and drafting style. 

Because the NCC is part of the state and territory regulatory framework, the Protocol also ensures that referenced documents are suitable for referencing in legislation. When a document is referenced in the NCC, it becomes part of the building and plumbing regulatory framework.

Who has been involved?

We have worked closely with standards writing bodies such as Standards Australia, the Fire Protection Association of Australia and others, to ensure the documents referenced are suitable to form part of the technical requirements of the NCC. 

What are the impacts?

A new NCC referenced document or a change to an existing NCC referenced document will result in a change to the NCC, potentially impacting the Australian construction industry and the public. 

To properly consider these impacts, a committee that is developing or revising a document intended to be referenced in the NCC, or revising an existing NCC referenced standard, is required to undertake a Preliminary Impact Analysis (PIA). 

This early-stage analysis reviews the impacts (cost and benefits) associated with a new referenced document or a revision to a current NCC referenced document. 

To read the full details of the changes, please review the NCC 2025 Volumes One, Two, Three, the Housing Provisions Standard PCD and Section A.

Want to provide feedback?

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.

Table 1: Potential changes to referenced documents for the next edition of the NCC

No.DateTitleNew or update
AS/NZS ISO 717 Part 12024Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements — Airborne sound insulation (See Note 1)Update
AS ISO717 Part 22024Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildingsand of building elements — Impact sound insulationUpdate
AS/NZS 1170 Part 22024Structural designactions — WindactionsUpdate
AS 1170Part 42024Structural designactions — Earthquake actions in Australia (incorporating amendments 1 and 2)Update
AS 1428 Part 12021Design for access and mobility — General requirements for access — New building workUpdate  
AS 1530 Part 12024Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures — Combustibility test for materialsUpdate
AS 1530 Part 8.12024Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures — Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack — Radiant heat and small flaming sourcesUpdate
AS 1668 Part 22024The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings — Mechanical ventilation in buildings (incorporating amendments 1 and 2)Update
AS 1668 Part 42024The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings — Natural ventilation of buildingsUpdate
AS 1670 Part 12024Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems — System design, installation and commissioning — Fire (incorporating amendment 1) (See Note 3)Update
AS 1670 Part 32024Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems — System design, installation and commissioning — Fire alarm monitoring (incorporating amendment 1) (See Note 3)Update
AS 1670 Part 42024Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems — System design, installation and commissioning — Emergency warning and intercom systems (incorporating amendment 1) (See Note 3)Update
AS 1684 Part 22024Residential timber-framed construction — Non-cyclonic areasUpdate
AS 1684 Part 32024Residential timber-framed construction — Cyclonic areasUpdate
AS 1684 Part 42024Residential timber-framed construction — Simplified — Non-cyclonic areas (incorporating amendment 1)Update
AS 1735 Part 122020Lifts, escalators and moving walks — Facilities for persons with disabilities (incorporating amendment 1)Update
AS 1926 Part 12024Swimming pool safety — Safety barriers for swimming poolsUpdate
AS 2118 Part 62024Automatic fire sprinkler systems — Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems in multistorey buildingsUpdate
AS 22002006Design charts for water supply and sewerage (incorporating amendment 1)Update
AS/NZS 2890 Part 62022Parking facilities — Offstreet parking for people with disabilitiesUpdate
AS/NZS 3500 Part 12024Plumbing and drainage — Water servicesUpdate
AS/NZS 3500 Part 12024Plumbing and drainage — Water servicesUpdate
AS/NZS 3500 Part 22024Plumbing and drainage — Sanitary plumbing and drainage (incorporating amendment 1)Update
AS/NZS 3500 Part 32024Plumbing and drainage — Stormwater drainage (See Note 11)Update
AS/NZS 3500 Part 42024Plumbing and drainage — Heated water services (incorporating amendment 1)Update
AS 37862023Smoke alarms using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization (incorporating amendment 1 and 2) (See Note 5)Update
AS 40552024Wind loads for housingUpdate
AS/NZS 48582004Wet area membranesNew
AS/NZS 4859 Part 12024Thermal insulation materials for buildings — General criteria and technical provisionsUpdate
SA TS 53672021Photoluminescent exit signage — Hybrid photoluminescent signage — Product specification, installation and operationNew
AS/NZS 5601 Part 12022Gas installations — General installationsUpdate
ASTM E1980-112019Standard Practice for Calculating Solar Reflectance Index of Horizontal and Low-sloped Opaque SurfacesNew
EN14511-22022Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps for space heating and cooling and process chillers, with electrically driven compressors - Part 2: Test conditionsNew
NASH Standard2024Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire AreasUpdate
NASH Standard Part 12024Residential and Low Rise Steel Framing — Design Criteria (incorporating amendments A, B and C)Update
NASH Standard Part 22024Residential and Low Rise Steel Framing — Design Solutions (incorporating amendment A)Update
WMK NOD 2021/4.22021WaterMark Notice of Direction 2021/4.2 Certification transition arrangements for Lead Free plumbing productsNew

Note to Table 1: the content of Table 1 is subject to further changes and Schedule 2 of the NCC will not be confirmed until closer to finalisation of the next edition of the NCC.