Busted: six myths about the Modern Homes standards

It is important to clarify myths about the Modern Homes standards so builders, designers and homeowners understand the livable housing design and residential energy efficiency requirements in Queensland.

The Modern Homes standards were phased in, with the livable housing design standard commencing on 1 October 2023, and the residential energy efficiency standard commencing on 1 May 2024.

Here are 6 common misconceptions about the Modern Homes standards:

  1. The implementation of the Modern Homes standards in Queensland was agreed to without consultation.
  2. All new homes and existing homes currently under development need to comply with the Modern Homes standards.
  3. The Livable Housing Design Standard’s step-free access path requirements will mean the end of the iconic Queenslander-style home.
  4. The Modern Homes standards residential energy efficiency and livable housing design requirements significantly increase the price of building a new home.
  5. The Modern Homes standards residential energy efficiency requirements will not have much impact.
  6. No information or guidance is available to assist with the implementation of the Modern Homes standards.


1. The implementation of the Modern Homes standards in Queensland was agreed to without consultation

Consultation with industry and community organisations on the Modern Homes standards was undertaken through the Australian Building Codes Board’s (ABCB) Consultation Regulatory Impact Statements and Public Comment Draft provisions for the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022.

Queensland’s peak building industry stakeholders met regularly with the former Minister for Public Works about the Modern Homes standards through the then Ministerial Construction Council. There was also regular engagement with the then Department of Energy and Public Works. This engagement informed:

  • the content of the Modern Homes standards contained in NCC 2022
  • Queensland’s adoption of the Modern Homes standards through the Queensland Development Code (QDC):
  • To minimise the impact of these changes, Queensland provided a phased approach, with the accessibility standards taking effect 1 October 2023 and the residential energy efficiency standard taking effect 1 May 2024.

2. All new homes and existing homes under development need to comply with the Modern Homes standards

Transitional arrangements

Section 37 of the Building Act 1975 addresses transitional arrangements that apply when building codes change. These arrangements empower building certifiers to assess building work against the version of the code in place before the change, where:

  • if lawful building work has started before the new building standard commences
  • a building development approval was given before a new building standard starts
  • a building development application is made before the new building standard starts, and the application is not decided before the amendment commences
  • demonstrated planning for carrying out the work started before a building assessment provision is amended and the building certifier for the building development approval certifies in writing that all the following conditions have been met:
    • substantial progress has been made on the design of the building, or the design was completed before the amendment
    • the design would need to be changed to comply with the amended provision
    • the changes needed are not minor changes, having regard to the amendment and the nature of the building work.

This approach ensures that work already in progress is not affected by a change to the building code, including the Modern Homes standards. New homes that were already significantly designed or where construction had commenced prior to the introduction of the new livable housing design standard on 1 October 2023 and residential energy efficiency standards on 1 May 2024, were not impacted by these changes. A guideline for transitional arrangement (PDF, 241.36 KB) is available for more details.

Targeted exemptions

Recognising the significance of the Modern Homes standards transition, other support measures have been put in place to assist industry. Targeted exemptions ensure a smooth implementation of the standards. These supportive measures have been adopted through Queensland Development Code (QDC) Mandatory Part 4.5 – Livable dwellings and grading to floor wastes, and include:

  • a time limited exemption to 30 September 2026 from the LHDS in limited circumstances such as certain houses on narrow lots (frontage of 12.5 metres or less where the lot was created prior to 1 October 2023) and certain small pre-built houses under 55m2 in size that were completed prior to 1 October 2023
  • an ongoing exemption where it is not practical or reasonable to apply the new standards to toilet and bathroom renovations
  • an exemption for general repairs and maintenance
  • greater flexibility in meeting the step-free shower and grading to floor wastes performance requirements
  • an exemption from installing an accessible toilet on entry level if that level does not have a habitable room (instead an accessible toilet will be required to be installed on the first level where there is a habitable room).

Exemptions also apply for houses where it is not practicable to provide step-free access via an associated garage, carport or parking space. This exemption considers the size and slope of a lot to ensure step-free access is available where it is both reasonable and practical to meet the requirement. This exemption is within the NCC 2022, Volume Two (H8D2).

3. The Livable Housing Design Standard’s step-free access path requirements will mean the end of the iconic Queenslander-style home

Houses on small, steep or sloping lots are exempt from complying with the step-free access path requirements in the Livable Housing Design Standard. This exemption also applies to the Queenslander-style homes where it is not practical to install an accessible ramp to provide level entry access into a house.

All other requirements of the Livable Housing Design Standard still apply to homes that are exempt from providing step free entry.

4.The Modern Homes standards residential energy efficiency and livable housing design requirements significantly increase the price of building a new home

Analysis commissioned by the ABCB determined the total cost to incorporate the Modern Homes standards (residential energy efficiency and livable housing design standards) in Queensland is approximately 1 to 2 per cent of the total build cost of an average new house. This is significantly less than some media reports have suggested.

It is expected that these costs will reduce over time as industry adapts to the Modern Homes standards.

5. The Modern Homes standards residential energy efficiency requirements will not have much impact

Analysis commissioned by the ABCB and also by the former Department of Energy and Public Works on the impacts of the residential energy efficiency requirements showed a net benefit of at least $506 million to the Queensland community and a household-level net benefit of $2,696.20 for new houses. There is a small net cost of $64.80 for new units. The changes will generate a saving of 4.63 million tonnes of carbon emissions for Queensland.

6. No information or guidance is available to assist with the implementation of the Modern Homes standards

The ABCB has prepared extensive information and guidance materials to support implementation of the Modern Homes standards including:

In addition, the Department has prepared:

The former Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works delivered a webinar on the Modern Homes standards under the NCC 2022.