National Construction Code (NCC) 2022

The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out the requirements for the design and construction of buildings in Australia, including plumbing and drainage work. It sets the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of certain buildings.

• Volume One: relates to Class 2 to 9 buildings.
• Volume Two: relates to Class 1 and 10 buildings.
• Volume Three: relates to plumbing and drainage work associated with all classes of buildings (see Plumbing Codes and Standards for more information).

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released NCC 2022 on 1 October 2022 to allow industry time to adjust to the new requirements and structure prior to it becoming mandatory. PDFs of all volumes are available for download. Printed copies will also become available for purchase from the ABCB’s commercial providers .

NCC 2022 was adopted by states and territories on 1 May 2023.

Victorian agreed to transitional arrangements for the adoption dates of the following:

• 1 October 2023 – New livable housing requirements.
• 1 October 2023 – New energy efficiency and condensation mitigation requirements.
• 1 May 2026 – New lead-free plumbing product requirements.

With builders experiencing significant global economic challenges, including rising supply chain costs – and after consultation with the sector, the Victorian Government will consider providing an extended transition to these new provisions.

The transitional arrangements will allow practitioners to continue using the relevant provisions of NCC 2019 until the end of the relevant transition period.

Energy efficiency and condensation mitigation requirements

The ABCB is updating the NCC to strengthen minimum requirements for the energy efficiency of new homes. The new energy efficiency and condensation mitigation requirements commence in Victoria on 1 October 2023.

The changes will make homes cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and more resilient to extreme weather.

Victoria will also remove barriers to installation of efficient electric hot water systems, helping households to capture further benefits from investing in solar panels, and supporting those who choose all-electric new homes.

Learn more about 7 star energy efficiency building standards by heading to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) energy website.

Learn more by accessing updated energy efficiency Practice Notes.

Livable housing design requirements

NCC 2022 includes new requirements for livable housing design.

These new provisions will improve the suitability of new Australian homes for people with mobility constraints.

The Livable Housing Standard is a significant advance in providing more housing options for people with physical disabilities and older Australians and will apply to new houses and apartments.

Head to the ABCB website to learn more about these changes.

ABCB NCC 2022 education resources

Access the Code in full through the ABCB website, as well as useful handbooks and guidance materials.

ABCB are also providing a series of articles that give an overview of some of the key changes and new requirements that may impact your work when NCC 2022 is adopted.

NCC 2022 Resource Hub

NCC 2022 VBA Roadshow

To communicate the detail of NCC 2022, the VBA hosted in-person seminars and webinars in September and October 2022.

If you missed these sessions or want to learn more, watch recordings of the NCC 2022 Roadshow webinars below.

The information presented during the VBA Roadshow was based on the NCC 2022 released at the time. On 27 October 2022, the ABCB announced that editorial corrections were to be made and an updated NCC 2022 would be released. The editorial corrections may impact on the information presented during the VAB Roadshow and therefore viewers are advised to visit the ABCB website for the latest version of the NCC 2022 and a list of the editorial corrections.