Consultation Hub

Consultation is the cornerstone of the Australian Building Codes Board's (ABCB) commitment to maintaining a contemporary and relevant National Construction Code (NCC). The consultation process also relates to our CodeMark Australia and WaterMark product certification schemes. This hub is a place for you to find and participate in consultations that interest you.

Consultations will be displayed below once available. Alternatively, you can search for consultations by keyword or interest.

Open consultations

  • WMTS:542-2024 | Public Comment Draft Round 1

    For Public Comment Technical Specification for the WaterMark Certification Scheme This technical specification sets out the minimum requirements for pipe couplings (spigot x spigot) that provide an interference seal on the internal surface of non-pressure soil, waste, and vent pipe of similar or dissimilar pipe materials. The coupling is to be used in vertical installations only within all classes of buildings and installation is to be undertaken via a performance...

    Closes 5 February 2025

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

We asked for your feedback on the proposed principles and parameters of a Building Product Registration Scheme between 4 September 2024 and 3 October 2024.

You said

More than 100 submissions were received. There were many voices and views shared on the proposal, and a range of issues were raised in feedback. Some of the common themes we heard include:

  • that this process should not be rushed. There was a strong view that we need to ensure that relevant issues are considered, including implementation and enforcement,
  • existing industry and government schemes should be recognised, and it will be important to consider how to achieve mandatory acceptance of these schemes to give industry greater confidence and certainty,
  • there is broad support for taking action and many parts of industry are willing to assist in future work,
  • integration with common design and site management software would allow seamless adoption of better product information, and
  • we should avoid using the term ‘Scheme’ unless we mean to have the current accepted meaning (in relation to existing product schemes). We are grateful for this feedback, and we are likely to use the word ‘framework’ in any future work.

We did

The ABCB has considered your feedback in preparing our advice to Building Ministers.

We asked

A Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was released for public comment between 20 September to 7 November 2021.

You said

Over 100 submissions were received. All submissions were taken into consideration by the ABCB.

We did

The Decision RIS was finalised taking account of the feedback on the Consultation RIS where appropriate. This was used as one input into the decision by Ministers to include the new residential energy efficiency provisions into NCC 2022.

We asked

The Building Confidence Report (BCR) Implementation Team asked for your feedback on installation, testing and certification of fire safety systems to improve building outcomes and compliance with the National Construction Code.

You said

We received 61 responses. Responses were received from industry associations, businesses, governments, educational institutions and individuals. Responses were positive and supportive of a nationally consistent approach to  installation, testing and certification of fire safety systems. There was strong support to ensure that work is only undertaken by registered practitioners.

We did

The BCR Implementation Team used your feedback to inform a model guide on Fire safety systems. The model guide was endorsed by Building Ministers and is available for state and territory consideration and implementation.