National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 public comment draft (stage 2)

Overview

The National Construction Code (NCC) is updated every 3 years, based on industry research, public feedback and policy directions from governments to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) between publishing cycles.

Updated content is included in the public comment draft (PCD) for consultation, seeking feedback on the suggested amendments and/or inclusions in the next edition of the NCC.

To help reduce the burden on stakeholders, feedback on NCC 2022 is being sought via 2 separate consultation stages. Stage 1 was held between 10 May and 11 July 2021 and is now closed.

The ABCB is now seeking comment on proposed amendments to energy efficiency and condensation technical provisions, via this second and final stage of public consultation. 

Responses to this final stage of PCD are invited until 11:59 PM AEDT Sunday 17 October 2021.

Some of the more significant amendments proposed in this final stage of the PCD include:

• a stringency increase in the thermal performance of homes from the current level, equivalent to 6-stars NatHERS, to the equivalent of 7 stars
• introducing whole-of-home annual energy use requirements (noting differences between Class 1 and 2 buildings)
• a new set of Deemed-to-Satisfy elemental provisions for Class 2 buildings
• new provisions designed to allow easy retrofit of on-site renewables and electric vehicle charging equipment for Class 2 to 9 buildings, and
• enhanced condensation management provisions, including additional ventilation and wall vapour permeability requirements.

Resources

To support stakeholders in providing informed comment on the proposed provisions, a range of resources are available via the Related Documents section at the bottom of this page:

• Overview of proposed changes infographic
• Summary of key changes document
• Explainer video 
• Calculators:
  • Class 1 glazing provisions
  • Class 2 glazing provisions
  • Class 1 and 2 whole-of-home provisions
• Case studies:
  • Class 1 climate zone 6
  • Class 1 climate zone 5
  • Class 1 climate zone 2
  • Class 2 climate zone 6
• Reports
  • Thermal performance provisions
  • Whole-of-home provisions

NCC 2022’s new structure and format

Within the PCD you’ll notice the new structure and format being implemented for NCC 2022. These changes form part of the ABCB’s Improved NCC useability initiative, delivering a more user-friendly and digitally-contemporary code.

Please note that feedback is not being sought on the new structure and format. Public comment is requested only on the proposed technical amendments as identified by tracked-change format.

More information and resources on the useability initiative are on our dedicated initiatives page.

Economic analysis

A Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) is being prepared to accompany proposed amendments included in stage 2 of NCC 2022 PCD.

The CRIS will provide an economic analysis of proposed increases in the stringency of the energy efficiency requirements for residential buildings. This includes a full cost-benefit analysis.

The CRIS will be available to interested parties via a separate online consultation survey on the ABCB’s Consultation Hub, for 7 weeks at the end of September. A number of specific questions are included in the CRIS to guide areas for feedback.

Following consultation, the CRIS will be updated and finalised with evidence and feedback from consultation, before being used as an input into decision-making about the proposed residential energy efficiency provisions. The Final RIS is expected to be publicly released mid-2022.

Why your views matter

The second and final stage of consultation on NCC 2022 PCD seeks feedback on the energy efficiency and condensation technical provisions, to inform the final version of provisions that may be adopted into the NCC on 1 September 2022.

Providing comment

Responses to this final stage of PCD are invited until 11:59 PM AEDT Sunday 17 October 2021.

In line with the ABCB’s process for undertaking public consultation, comment will only be accepted through the ABCB’s online Consultation Hub.

To access the final stage of PCD and provide comment:

1. From the bottom of this page, download the NCC Volume/s and/or ABCB Standard/s you wish to view and comment on. You can also download a range of supporting resources from the Related Documents for more information on the proposed changes.
2. Enter the consultation survey and agree to the information collection and privacy statements.
3. Enter your contact details.
4. Download the comment form within the online survey itself and complete, including all comments you would like to make on the proposed changes. 
5. Upload your completed form in .doc format and submit.

If you have a question about this consultation, please contact us.  

What happens next

The ABCB will consider, in detail, all responses received from stakeholders. These responses will inform the final content of NCC 2022.