Getting help with the National Construction Code

Building, renovating or buying a home can be complex. This page explains where to get help, what the National Construction Code (NCC) does and does not cover, and who to contact depending on your situation.

The National Construction Code (NCC) sets the minimum requirements for the safety, health, accessibility, amenity and sustainability of buildings in Australia. 

For homeowners, the NCC helps ensure that new homes and major renovations meet nationally consistent minimum standards. The NCC operates alongside state, territory and local building laws and does not replace them. 

The NCC is primarily written for building professionals such as designers, builders and certifiers. Homeowners are not expected to interpret or apply the NCC themselves. 

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) develops and maintains the NCC on behalf of Australian governments. We can help by providing:

• general information about the NCC and what it covers
• information about how the NCC fits within Australia's building system
• guidance on which organisation may be best placed to help with your enquiry
• support with accessing NCC Online.

Our role is to help you understand the system and find the right place to get assistance. 

Some matters fall outside the ABCB's role. We cannot:

• provide legal advice
• resolve disputes between homeowners and building practitioners
• assess or approve individual building designs or plans
• enforce building laws or investigate complaints.

These responsibilities sit with state, territory and local building authorities. 

If you are building or renovating, your first point of contact is usually your builder, designer, architect or building certifier. They are responsible for ensuring work complies with the NCC and local building requirements.

If you have concerns about building work, compliance or practitioner conduct, contact your state or territory building regulator, local council or relevant consumer protection body. 

Anyone can access the NCC for free through NCC Online. The NCC is a technical document and is intended to be used by trained building professionals. 

Homeowners may find it useful as background information to support discussions with their builder or certifier, but it should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice. 

You may wish to contact the ABCB if you are:

• Looking for general information about the NCC
• Unsure which authority is responsible for your issue
• Experiencing difficulties accessing NCC Online

Have any questions? Visit our homeowner specific frequently asked questions that might give a quick answer to you query.

You can also find more homeowner information by visiting the below pages:

• how the NCC applies to your home
• what the NCC does and does not cover
• roles and responsibilities
• common building features in homes

For questions about broader topics, our general frequently asked questions pages cover a range of topics including the NCC, the ABCB, Australian Standards, and the CodeMark and WaterMark certification schemes.

If you have any other questions, you can contact us using the enquiry form on our help and support page. 

To help us respond efficiently, please include a clear description of your question, your state or territory, and any relevant background information.

If your enquiry relates to an urgent safety or compliance issue, contact your local building authority directly, as they are best placed to take action.