National Construction Code 2025 Public Comment Draft

Overview

About the consultation

Have your say on proposed changes to the next edition of the National Construction Code (NCC). Your feedback is invited on the NCC 2025 Public Comment Draft (PCD) until Monday 1 July 2024. 

The NCC is updated every 3 years, based on required regulatory practices, industry research, public feedback provided and policy directions from governments to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) between publishing cycles. Updated content is included in the Public Comment Draft for consultation. During the NCC Public Comment Draft consultation process, the ABCB seeks feedback on the suggested amendments and/or inclusions to the next edition of the NCC.

Public comment is invited on the following significant amendments proposed for the next edition of the NCC:

• Commercial building energy efficiency
• Carpark fire safety improvements
• Condensation mitigation
• Improving waterproofing and water shedding provisions
• Improving structural Performance Solutions
• Improving fire safety Performance Solutions
• Adequate toilets for women
• Improvements to plumbing provisions
• Apartment energy efficiency – centralised heated water systems
• Housing energy efficiency – thermal breaks
• Assisting future electrification and EV charging in homes
• Re-entry from fire-isolated exits
• Hybrid photoluminescent exit signs
• NCC Referenced documents
• Fire hazard properties
• Use of an Accredited Testing Laboratory
• Alternative referenced documents

Why your views matter

Public consultation is a crucial part of the National Construction Code (NCC) development process. Your comments and feedback help inform the final version of the next edition of the NCC. 

Providing comment

Responses to the Public Comment Draft are invited until Monday 1 July 2024.

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

Resources

Documents, including the Public Comment Draft and the response forms, are available from the Related Documents section at the bottom of this page. 

1. Download the NCC volume(s) you wish to view and provide comment on from the bottom of this page. You can also download the supporting information PDF for detailed information on the more significant/complex changes.
2. Download the response form (standard response form and/or the energy efficiency response form)

Once you’ve reviewed the Public Comment Draft, complete the response form with your feedback on the suggested changes to the NCC.

To submit your comments

1. Enter our Public Comment Draft consultation (the link is at the end of this page - click on 'Public Comment Draft' in the 'Provide Comment' box).
2. Start by agreeing to the privacy statement.
3. Let us know if you’d like your submission published publicly.
4. Enter your contact details.
5. Upload your completed form in .doc format (please make sure each file is under 25MB) and submit.

Comments relating to energy efficiency

If your response relates to energy efficiency, please use the energy efficiency response form. This form contains pre-filled references to some of the key changes to energy efficiency clauses. It includes focus questions to help us better understand your views on these proposed changes. The focus questions are for guidance: your feedback is not restricted to the issue raised in these questions.

A preview of the consultation is provided as a related document at the bottom of this page.  

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

NCC 2025 PCD document change log

The NCC 2025 Public Comment Draft Housing Provisions file provided on ABCB’s Consultation Hub between 12:01 AM and 12:15 PM Wednesday 1 May 2024 contained an omission. The following provisions, that are proposed as new or amended for NCC 2025, were missing:

• 13.7.7 Water heater in a heated water supply system

• 13.7.10 Switchboard capacity

• 13.7.11 Provision for electric vehicle charging

An updated NCC 2025 Public Comment Draft Housing Provisions file (V1.1) has been uploaded in place of the file that contained the omission. Those who have downloaded the previous file are advised to refer to the updated file instead.

What happens next

The ABCB will consider, in detail, all responses received from stakeholders. These responses will inform the final content of NCC 2025.