A Guide to Australian Building Code Standards
What building codes are used in Australia?
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is the national Standards body responsible for producing and maintaining the National Construction Code (NCC).
The NCC sets out the minimum requirements for all new buildings in terms of health and safety, sustainability, performance, amenity, accessibility and construction. This includes new work to existing buildings in Australia.
In collaboration with Australian governments and industry, the ABCB uses both regulatory and non-regulatory measures to ensure safe, sustainable building and plumbing systems.
Where can I find Standards for residential buildings?
There are three sections in the NCC, with more than 300 Standards in total. Standards for residential buildings can be found in volume two of the NCC. Volume one relates to commercial construction, volume two to residential housing, and volume three to plumbing and drainage.
You can easily access Standards through our Standards store, Intertek Inform. Our i2i cloud-based subscription platform also gives 24/7 access to the complete set of Standards Australia documents referenced within the NCC.
What are some important building and construction Standards?
Standards apply to every aspect of building and development nationwide. As a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, the NCC Standards cover a range of consumer products and services. They are particularly important in the residential building industry.
Australian Building Code Standards ensure safety, durability, and compliance across various construction areas. AS 1657:2018 and AS 2699.1:2020 cover safe design for platforms, walkways, and wall ties in masonry. AS 3600:2018 focuses on concrete structures, while AS 1684 series addresses timber-framed residential construction for both cyclonic and non-cyclonic areas. AS 2870-2011 sets standards for residential slabs and footings, and AS 3959:2018 guides construction in bushfire-prone zones. Pool safety barriers are mandated by AS 1926.1-2012, and gas and plumbing by AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 and AS/NZS 3500.2:2021. Tile installation is detailed in AS 3958:2023, termite management in AS 3660.3:2014, and roof tile installation in AS 2050:2018.
These standards are crucial because they ensure the safety, durability, and legal compliance of buildings, protecting both occupants and the broader community.
You can also find a range of building codes and Standards from Standards Australia as well as international publishers in the following categories:
- 91/91.010 Construction industry
- 91/91.020 Physical planning. Town planning
- 91/91.040 Buildings
- 91/91.060 Elements of buildings
- 91/91.080 Structures of buildings
- 91/91.090 External structures
- 91/91.100 Construction materials
- 91/91.120 Protection of and in buildings
- 91/91.140 Installations in buildings
- 91/91.160 Lighting
- 91/91.180 Interior finishing
- 91/91.190 Building accessories
- 91/91.200 Construction technology
- 91/91.220 Construction equipment
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