03/02/2026
Time to read
5 minutes

Building ministers have confirmed the next steps for NCC 2025, including the publication timeline, an adoption window from May 2026, and a national pause on further residential NCC changes (except essential safety and quality fixes) until around 2029.

Key dates
  • NCC 2025 preview released: 1 February 2026
  • Jurisdictions can consider adoption from: 1 May 2026

National pause on residential changes

Ministers reached an agreement in principle to pause further residential NCC changes (other than essential safety and quality fixes) until around 2029, to give industry a more stable ruleset while the NCC is streamlined and modernised.


Jurisdiction update
  • Australian Capital Territory: will adopt NCC 2025 from 1 May 2026 with a six-month transition period (NCC 2022 or NCC 2025 can be used for building approvals between 1 May 2026 and 1 November 2026).
  • Tasmania: has reiterated its position to freeze proposed NCC 2025 changes as an election commitment.
  • Other states and territories are still expected to confirm their detailed adoption and transition arrangements over time.

What this means for NSW

As at 3 February 2026, the New South Wales Government’s public NCC guidance still lists NCC 2022 Amendment 2 as the current edition in force in NSW.

Master Builders NSW will continue to monitor announcements on NCC 2025 adoption and transition arrangements for NSW as they are confirmed.


What members should do now

(This is general information. Project requirements may vary by jurisdiction and should be confirmed with the relevant regulator/certifier)

  • If you work across Class 2 to 9 projects, review the NCC 2025 preview and start assessing any likely impacts on design, documentation, and approvals.

  • Investigate potential transition arrangements into project timelines for work likely to be approved from May 2026 onwards.

  • Keep an eye on NSW updates so you can plan for the applicable NCC edition at the point of certification.


More information

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 include:


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