National Construction Code 2022
The National Construction Code 2022 (NCC) 2022 sets out the requirements for the design and construction of a building in Australia, including its plumbing and drainage. The NCC incorporates minimum required levels for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of certain buildings.
The NCC 2022 is given legal effect through Queensland’s Building Act 1975, and is varied through amendments to the Building Regulation that adopts the Queensland Development Code.
NCC 2022 uses a new structure and referencing system to create better consistency across all 3 volumes. The new Section-Part-Type-Clause system aims to improve the user experience and make it more web accessible.
NCC 2022 commencement dates
1 May 2023 - for bushfire protection, early childhood centres, face mounted balustrade, falls to floor waste, quantification, wind loads for housing, waterproofing.
1 October 2023 – for condensation management, electric vehicle charging-readiness and livable housing design.
1 May 2024 – for residential energy efficiency (houses and units).
1 September 2025 – for lead in plumbing products.
Modern Homes standards
The Modern Homes standards reflect community aspirations in responding to climate change and providing more inclusive communities.
Climate change projections indicate annual average temperatures will rise between 0.5 and 1.5 degrees Celsius in Queensland by 2030. The building sector is responsible for 14% of Queensland’s carbon emissions.
Improving the energy efficiency of new buildings is a cost-effective way to save money at the household level and reduce emissions to support emissions reduction targets.
Around 1.1 million Queenslanders live with a disability.
- During the 10-year period ending June 2016, the state’s aging population grew by 47% compared to the national rate of 38%.
- Approximately 1 in 9 people aged 64 and younger and 1 in 2 people aged 65 and over have a disability.
Impact of Modern Homes standards
The changes require builders and developers to change their standard plans, embed some popular design choices and reconsider how to achieve energy efficiency. However, economic analysis demonstrates that if designed in, these changes should add no more than 1 to 2% to the cost of a new build, improve equity, reduce energy usage and avoid expensive retrofits.
More information
For more information about the NCC 2022, visit the Australian Building Codes Board’s website.