Modern Homes standards

Important shifts in home building are enhancing the liveability of new homes, making them more accessible, energy efficient and comfortable to live in.

The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 incorporated Modern Homes standards that:

  • include requirements for accessibility and energy efficiency in new homes
  • better reflect community expectations for modern homes.

The NCC 2022 is given legal effect through Queensland’s Building Act 1975 and varied through amendments to the Building Regulation that adopts the Queensland Development Code (QDC).

Additional options to implement the Modern Homes standards are provided through a new  QDC 4.5 - Livable dwellings and grading to floor wastes and amendment of the existing QDC 4.1 - Sustainable Buildings.

The QDC 4.5 livable housing design requirements took effect on 1 October 2023, while the QDC 4.1 residential energy efficiency changes commenced 1 May 2024.

The NCC 2022 also introduced new requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging-readiness in class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9 building carparks from 1 October 2023.

Accessibility

The Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS) ensures new houses and units are designed and constructed to be more accessible for everyone, including older people, people with disability, families with young children and people with temporary mobility injuries.

These important changes allow people to remain in their homes as they age, without the need for costly retrofits and adaptations.

The LHDS requires:

  • at least 1 step-free entry into the homes
  • slightly wider internal doors and corridors
  • 1 step-free access into a bathroom and shower
  • an accessible toilet
  • reinforcing of bathroom and toilet walls to allow handrails to be installed later.

Residential energy efficiency

The energy efficiency changes will improve the energy performance of the dwelling’s building shell, and for the first time, account for the energy usage of major fixtures and appliances.

It was more than a decade since the last change to the energy efficiency requirements for homes under the NCC (in 2010).

New houses and units require a:

  • 7-star rating (out of 10) for the building shell (roof, walls, windows and floors).
    • Energy efficiency features may include optimal house orientation, better insulation and window design, ceiling fans and a lighter-coloured roof.
    • While Queensland aligns with the NCC 2022 energy efficiency requirements, the optional 1-star credit towards the building shell for inclusion of an outdoor living area has been:
      • extended to take advantage of Queensland’s favourable outdoor lifestyle and climates
      • expanded to apply state-wide (all NCC climate zones) for apartment buildings.
    • The previous optional 1-star credit for inclusion of a solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system ceased on 30 April 2024, as this feature is now counted in the Whole of Home energy budget.
  • Whole of Home energy budget that promotes energy efficient fixtures and appliances (including air-conditioners, hot water heaters and artificial lighting), as well as any on-site renewable energy e.g. solar PV system.

Facilities for EV charging equipment

The uptake of EVs can be supported by ensuring that certain buildings are ready for EV charging infrastructure.

Carparks in class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9 buildings must be provided with electrical distribution boards dedicated to EV charging. These distribution boards must be labelled to indicate their use for EV charging equipment and must be installed on each story of the carpark.

NCC 2022 also requires that electrical distribution boards dedicated to serving EV charging must be fitted with a charging control system that can manage and schedule charging of EVs in response to the building’s total energy demand.

Benefits and costs of the Modern Homes standards

The residential energy efficiency standards provide an average electricity saving of $185 per year for new homes in Queensland.

The Modern Homes energy efficiency standards is expected to provide a net benefit of $506 million to Queensland and reduce emissions by 4.63 million tonnes. It is also expected to provide a net benefit of $2,696 over the life of a detached dwelling at the household level.

Building more accessible housing will improve the quality of life for many people. The new standard reflects community aspirations about promoting more inclusive communities.

Not only is it possible to build a compliant new home at a reasonable cost, but doing so increases the stock of houses that can improve a person’s economic and social participation in society by making their life easier.

People who are affected by the lack of suitable housing with accessible features will be able to leave hospital when they are ready, which reduces the need for care services. Additionally, they can live in their homes longer close to family and friends.

Independent expert economic analyses indicated the combined capital cost for both residential energy efficiency and accessibility standards for a new house in Queensland is between 1 and 2 percent of the cost of a new build.

Up-front investment in accessibility features can save homeowners about $18,821 for houses and $20,260 for units and apartments by avoiding retrofit costs.

For more information, view the NCC 2022 decision regulation impact statement (PDF, 9.6MB).

Implementation of the Modern Homes standards

On 26 August 2022, building ministers agreed that the NCC 2022 would include the Modern Homes standards and would formally take effect in NCC 2022 from 1 October 2023.

In Queensland, the Modern Homes standards were implemented through a staged approach, with:

  • Livable Housing Design Standard commencing on 1 October 2023
  • residential energy efficiency commencing on 1 May 2024.

Further detail of Queensland's measures to support implementation of the Modern Homes standards are available online.

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and jurisdictions are continuing to work closely with industry to support  implementation of NCC 2022 Modern Homes standards.

Guidance materials

The ABCB has prepared the following guidance materials to support awareness and implementation of the NCC 2022 Modern Homes standards.

Residential energy efficiency:

Livable housing design standards:

The Department of Housing and Public Works has delivered a webinar to explain details about the Modern Homes standards under the NCC 2022.