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Industry alert for plumbing practitioners: Building and Plumbing Amendment (Solar Water Heater and Other Matters) Regulations 2023

These changes amend Plumbing Regulations 2018 and include some changes that are effective immediately and other changes that are effective from 1 May 2024.

On 28 November 2023, Victoria introduced the Building and Plumbing Amendment (Solar Water Heater and Other Matters) Regulations 2023.

These changes amend Plumbing Regulations 2018 and include some changes that are effective immediately and other changes that are effective from 1 May 2024.

Stage 1: Plumbing amendments that come into effect immediately
Allowing any type of solar or heat pump water heater that meets relevant energy efficiency performance standards to be installed in areas with reticulated natural gas, meaning removing the requirement for a gas-boosted solar water heater to always be installed in those areas.

Note: At this stage, requirements for orientation, inclination and performance prescribed in the Plumbing Regulations 2018 (Schedule 2) remain in place until Stage 2 of the amendments are applicable.

Stage 2: Plumbing amendments commencing on 1 May 2024
From 1 May 2024, the solar water heater requirements in the NCC 2022 Volume Three - Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) will apply, instead of those in the Plumbing Regulations 2018 (see note above), which include:

  • Solar collector orientation and inclination must comply with AS/NZS 3500.4 Plumbing and drainage, Part 4: Heated water service, which make minor changes to the existing requirements).
  • Minimum performance requirements.

Transition provisions
After 1 May 2024, if a solar water heater is installed to comply with NCC 2019 Volume Two Energy Efficiency Provisions (as documented in the relevant building permit), the requirements that existed prior to 1 May 2024 in Schedule 2 of the Regulations, for solar collector positioning and energy performance, will continue to apply.

For more details on the changes, please visit the building or plumbing legislative and regulatory amendments web pages on the VBA website.

If you have questions about these amendments, please contact the VBA on 1300 815 127 or email our Plumbing Technical Enquiries team.