HIA has spent much of the past several years managing the scale and technical details of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022. We’ve reviewed and suggested changes throughout the drafting process, met with government ministers and agencies, and provided substantial submissions.

This enormous undertaking has included taking time to report back to members about the impending changes, and more recently, to support members to understand the impact NCC 2022 will have on home building across Australia. 

What has been exciting to see is the level of engagement from members across the country who have attended NCC seminars, accessed our webinars and resources or contacted HIA for information. Now, as we near the end of 2022, we can confirm the timelines for these changes and what each state has agreed to implement.

NCC 2022 was published on 1 October 2022, with Building Ministers confirming that the start date will be 1 May 2023. 

However, ministers also agreed to a transition period for two major reforms – livable housing and the 7-star energy efficiency and condensation provisions. This means these two parts of the code will not have legal effect until at least 1 October 2023.

HIA had sought a full three-year transition period to ease the pressure on builders, and while it is disappointing to see it was not accepted, the additional time does recognise that the industry needs time to adapt.

We now have certainty at a national level on when the vast majority of NCC 2022 will commence in every state and territory, subject to the normal state-based transition periods. This means everything apart from the livable housing and energy provisions takes effect from 1 May 2023.

Since August, each state and territory has confirmed – or will soon – whether they are adopting the livable housing and energy efficiency changes, and when. 

HIA understands the following approaches will be taken:

• Queensland, ACT and Victoria will be adopting both livable housing and 7-star provisions from 1 October 2023
• NSW will not be adopting the livable housing provisions but will increase the BASIX energy target to match 7-stars
• Tasmania will be adopting the livable housing provisions from 1 October 2024 but not adopting 7-stars
• Northern Territory will be adopting livable housing provisions from 1 October 2023 and will make limited changes to 5-star energy efficiency requirements from 1 October 2023
• Western Australia will be adopting 7-stars for apartments from 1 October 2024, with a variation until 1 October 2025, and for houses from 1 October 2025. The livable housing requirements will not be adopted
• South Australia is yet to confirm when either of the changes will be applied.

Existing 6-star energy efficiency requirements have been increased. The benchmark for the building fabric will be 7-stars. There will also now be a new ‘whole of house’ energy budget assessment required. This means that in those states and territories that adopt this part of the code, all new homes, apartments, renovations and multi-dwellings will need to be designed to the new higher standard.

If you missed out on attending one of the sold-out roadshow seminars about the NCC 2022 changes and how they will operate in each state, you can still access the information via webinars on the HIA website. HIA has a range of NCC 2022 online resources, exclusive to members, with more resources being added in the coming months.

Published on 9 November 2022