The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 preview, providing early access to the next edition before the full NCC 2025 publication. Jurisdictions can consider adoption from 1 May 2026.

The preview reflects updates informed by public consultation and expert technical review. The preview gives practitioners the opportunity to understand the changes that may apply in their jurisdiction when adoption decisions are made.

You can now download the PDF versions of all NCC 2025 preview volumes at ncc.abcb.gov.au.

What's new in NCC 2025?

The NCC 2025 preview includes several updates intended to improve safety, performance and usability across the built environment. Some of these updates are listed below.

Water management

NCC 2025 includes improved water management amendments in Volume One Section F (Health and amenity), along with updated definitions in Schedule 1. 

Carpark fire safety

Amendments in NCC Volume One strengthen fire safety in carparks, including:

  • sprinkler protection for open‑deck carparks (other than stand‑alone open‑deck carparks)
  • reduced scenarios where concessions to fire‑resistance levels (FRL) apply. 

Commercial energy efficiency

Changes to Volume One Section J (Energy efficiency) for buildings other than Class 2 introduces measures that reduce energy consumption, including:

  • mandatory on‑site solar photovoltaic systems
  • higher requirements for building envelopes and services
  • improved lighting control requirements. 

Condensation mitigation

Updates to condensation management provisions, such as reduced ventilation requirements for small roofs, are included in:

  • Volume One Part F8 (Condensation management)
  • NCC 2025 Housing Provisions Part 10.8 (Condensation management).

All‑gender sanitary facilities

Volume One Part F4 now permits the optional installation of all‑gender sanitary facilities in place of separate male and female facilities. 

Structural reliability and fire safety Performance Solutions

Amendments to A2G2 (Performance Solution), B1P1 (Structural reliability), and H1P1 (Structural reliability and resistance) specify the means of assessment to support consistent, robust Performance Solutions.

What's not included in NCC 2025?

Some changes proposed in the public comment draft are not included in NCC 2025, including those listed below. 

Residential energy efficiency

Proposed changes to Volume Two Part H6(Energy efficiency) and Housing Provisions Part 13 (Energy efficiency) will not go ahead. Instead, NCC 2025 will reflect the existing requirements in NCC 2022 Amendment 2 for these parts.

For Class 2 buildings, the proposed amendments to Volume One Section J will not proceed. NCC 2022 Amendment 2 remains applicable for these buildings. 

Electric vehicle (EV) charging 

Proposed new provisions for EV charging readiness in Volume Two and the Housing Provisions, along with proposed amendments to Volume One J9D4 (Facilities for electric vehicle charging), are not included. 

Fire separation of roofed outdoor areas

Proposed changes to Housing Provisions Part 9.6 (Fire separation of roofed outdoor areas) are not included.

More information