A coalition of industry, built environment and social sector stakeholders are calling for the commitment to the regular three-year review and update of the National Construction Code (NCC) following a recent industry dialogue attended by Australia’s building ministers.

The stakeholders, including Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) chief executive Alison Scotland,  Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) chief executive Cassandra Goldie, Green Building Council of Australia chief executive Davina Rooney and Property Council of Australia chief executive Mike Zorbas emphasised the importance of implementing the next revision of the NCC in 2025, as planned and increasing resources for the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to better address future changes.

“The industry dialogue was an opportunity for building ministers to demonstrate their commitment to a unified approach in building standards across Australia,” Alison says.

“Since its inception in the early 1990s, the NCC has aimed to streamline building regulations across states and territories, promoting efficiency and cost savings. However, as the landscape of construction evolves with new risks and technologies, it is vital that the NCC adapts accordingly.”

The NCC serves as the national standard for building practices in Australia, encompassing critical areas such as fire safety, structural integrity, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability.

With emerging challenges like embodied carbon and climate resilience becoming increasingly relevant, stakeholders have emphasised that maintaining a robust NCC is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all Australians.

The key points of the NCC review include climate action, with the NCC 2025 revision is crucial to improve building energy performance, leading to lower costs and better health. Long-term resilience must be considered, with building standards needing to evolve to withstand extreme weather events, as highlighted by the ABCB’s 2025 objective.

A consistent and updated NCC is also deemed essential to avoid fragmentation, reduce costs for builders and improve public safety. Lastly, details in supporting innovation must be included, with adapting building standards to incorporate innovative technologies like prefabricated construction vital in addressing housing shortages and sustainability goals.