Stakeholders urge Building Ministers to uphold commitment to regularly review and update NCC

As Australia’s Building Ministers convene at the industry dialogue today, a coalition of industry, built environment, and social sector stakeholders are calling for a reaffirmation of their commitment to the regular three-year review and update of the National Construction Code (NCC).

The stakeholders emphasise the importance of implementing the next revision of the NCC in 2025 as planned and increasing resources for the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to better address future changes

The NCC serves as the national standard for building practices in Australia, encompassing critical areas such as fire safety, structural integrity, health, amenity, accessibility, and sustainability. With emerging challenges like embodied carbon and climate resilience becoming increasingly relevant, stakeholders emphasise that maintaining a robust NCC is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all Australians.

“Today’s meeting is an opportunity for Building Ministers to demonstrate their commitment to a unified approach in building standards across Australia,” said Alison Scotland, CEO of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC).

“The NCC not only enhances productivity by reducing regulatory duplication but also guarantees quality and safety for those who live and work in our buildings.

”Since its inception in the early 1990s, the NCC has aimed to streamline building regulations across states and territories, promoting efficiency and cost savings. However, as the landscape of construction evolves with new risks and technologies, it is vital that the NCC adapts accordingly.”

CEO of the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS), Dr Cassandra Goldie, said "Regularly updating building standards is essential to protect people’s health, safety, and quality of life as we face the climate crisis, an ageing population, and technological advances.

“Neglecting them will disproportionately harm those already facing limited access to safe, affordable, and healthy housing.

"Governments have a duty to ensure that today's homes protect and benefit everyone - future renters and homeowners alike." Dr Goldie concludes.

CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, Davina Rooney, said, “Maintaining a regular update cycle for the National Construction Code is essential to safeguarding Australia’s future. This code isn’t an old book of rules – it’s a living standard that reflects the safety, resilience, and sustainability our buildings need to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We urge Building Ministers to continue supporting this critical work.”

CEO of the Property Council of Australia, Mike Zorbas, said, “The Property Council has advocated for coordinated, cost-benefit adjusted and timely reviews of the National Construction Code since the 1990s.

“Our priority is ensuring the ABCB is properly resourced so it can conduct highly consultative regulatory impact statements and so that Code coordination can be improved.” Mr Zorbas concludes.

Key Points

• Climate Action: The upcoming NCC 2025 revision is essential for improving energy performance in buildings, which will lead to lower energy bills and better health outcomes. Recent CSIRO research indicates that over 75% of new homes in NSW are now rated above 7 stars under the National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), showcasing the positive impact of enhanced energy efficiency standards.
• Long-Term Resilience: With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, it is vital that building standards evolve to ensure resilience against climate change. The recent addition of resilience as an objective for the ABCB from 2025 highlights this necessity.
• Avoiding Fragmentation: A pause in updating the NCC could lead to inconsistent standards across states and territories, increasing compliance costs for builders and creating confusion within the industry. Stakeholders urge that maintaining a consistent and updated framework will improve public safety.
• Support for Innovation: As Australia aims to deliver 1.2 million homes over the next decade, adapting building standards to incorporate innovative technologies such as prefabricated construction is vital. This approach not only addresses housing shortages but also aligns with sustainability goals.

Conclusion

The alliance calls on Building Ministers to prioritise the ongoing review process of the NCC and allocate necessary resources to the ABCB. By doing so, Ministers can ensure that Australia’s building standards remain effective, equitable, and can meet future challenges.

About ASBEC

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) is a body of peak organisations involved in the planning, design, delivery and operation of our built environment. ASBEC provides a collaborative forum for organisations which champion a vision of sustainable, productive and resilient buildings, communities and cities in Australia. Collectively, ASBEC’s membership reaches more than 350,000 professionals in the built environment and represents an industry worth more than $700 billion.

Available for comment

Alison Scotland, ASBEC CEO, 0409 157 112 e: alison.scotland@asbec.asn.au

ACOSS media contact m: 0419 626155 e: media@acoss.org.au

GBCA media contact m: 0433 885 719 e: megan.towill@gbca.org.au

PCA media contact m: 0425 113 273 e: rprka@propertycouncil.com.au