The National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 Preview signals a targeted update focused mainly on Class 2 to 9 buildings — not a full housing reset. The preview highlights tighter provisions across water management, car park fire safety, commercial energy efficiency, and mandatory on-site solar PV, alongside stronger condensation controls.
Building ministers have also signalled a pause on further residential NCC changes until around 2029 (except essential safety and quality fixes). Adoption may begin from May 2026, with jurisdictions still to confirm their timing and transition arrangements.
In New South Wales, current guidance still points to NCC 2022 Amendment 2 as the edition in force.
For the brick and block laying sector and broader commercial construction, these updates will influence design detailing, services integration, and compliance pathways moving forward.
Key Changes — New South Wales
Building ministers have confirmed the next steps for NCC 2025, including:
- Publication timeline and adoption window from May 2026.
- A national pause on further residential NCC changes (other than 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 have reached an agreement in principle to pause further residential NCC changes (other than essential safety and quality fixes) until approximately 2029.
The goal is to provide industry with a more stable and predictable rule set while the NCC undergoes streamlining and modernisation.
What This Means for New South Wales
As of 3 February 2026, NSW Government public NCC guidance still lists NCC 2022 Amendment 2 as the current edition in force.
This means businesses operating in NSW must continue working to current requirements until formal adoption of NCC 2025 is confirmed.
What You Should Do Now
If you operate across Class 2 to 9 construction projects:
- Review the NCC 2025 preview and assess likely impacts on design, documentation, and approvals.
- Investigate potential transition arrangements in project timelines for work likely to be approved from May 2026 onwards.
- Monitor NSW updates to confirm which NCC edition applies at certification stage.
For the brick and block laying industry, early review is particularly important where wall systems, fire separation, moisture management, and façade interfaces are involved.
What’s New in NCC 2025
The preview includes updates designed to improve safety, performance, and usability across the built environment. Some of these updates include:
Water Management
Improved water management amendments are included in:
- Volume One Section F (Health and Amenity).
- Updated definitions in Schedule 1.
Car Park Fire Safety
Amendments strengthen fire safety in car parks, including:
- Sprinkler protection for open deck car parks (other than standalone open deck car parks).
- Reduced scenarios where Fire Resistance Level (FRL) concessions apply.
Commercial Energy Efficiency
Changes to Volume One Section J (Energy Efficiency) for buildings other than Class 2 include:
- Mandatory on-site solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
- Higher performance requirements for building envelopes and services.
- Improved lighting control requirements.
Condensation Mitigation
Updated condensation management provisions include:
- Reduced ventilation requirements for small roofs.
These updates 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 optional installation of all-gender sanitary facilities in place of separate male and female facilities.
Structural Reliability and Fire Safety Performance Solutions
Amendments to performance solution pathways strengthen assessment consistency, including updates to:
- A2G2 (Performance Solution).
- B1P1 (Structural Reliability).
- H1P1 (Structural Reliability and Resistance).
What’s Not Included in NCC 2025?
Some items from 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)
- Housing Provisions Part 13 (Energy Efficiency)
These will remain aligned with NCC 2022 Amendment 2.
For Class 2 buildings, proposed amendments to Volume One Section J will also not proceed.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
Proposed EV readiness provisions in Volume Two and Housing Provisions, and 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) will not proceed.
More Information
Download the NCC 2025 preview volumes from the Australian Building Codes Board website at https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/.
The NCC continues to evolve to support safer, more efficient and more sustainable buildings across Australia, and early preparation will help industry transition smoothly.
