NCC 2025 Confirmed – Key Changes Announced

After much anticipation, the release schedule for the next edition of the National Construction Code (NCC) has finally been confirmed, following last week's meeting of Australia's Building Ministers. 

The NCC 2025 will be published on 1 February 2026, with adoption available from 1 May 2026. Commencement dates will be up to each state and territory, with up to 12 month transition periods likely in some jurisdictions.  

Key outcomes of the Ministers' meeting include: 

  *  No further residential changes (beyond essential quality and safety measures) will be introduced until mid-2029, following next year's release. 

  *  EV charging requirements will not be introduced for residential buildings at this stage, recognising that commercial provisions were already included in NCC 2022. 

  *  Mandatory on-site solar PV systems will form part of NCC 2025 for commercial building classes. 

  * Carpark fire safety provisions for commercial buildings (including apartments) 

  * Embodied carbon provisions will be voluntary only.  

Ministers also agreed there is strong potential to create a more streamlined, practical, and future-ready NCC that supports the industry to build more homes, more efficiently.  The agreed work program will focus on:
 

  *  Using AI and digital tools to make the NCC easier to navigate for tradies, small businesses and homeowners 

  *  Reducing regulatory burden across the building and construction industry 

  *  Encouraging uptake of modern construction methods 

  *  Improving how the ABCB develops and reviews Code provisions, including the timing of future NCC updates 

You can read more about the Building Ministers' decisions here.