NCC Changes 2024 QLD – What New Changes Are Now in Place?

Changes have been implemented to the National Construction Code (NCC) from 1 May 2024 in a bid to improve energy efficiency standards in new residential homes. The changes also include things regarding condensation and moisture in buildings, fire safety, plumbing, and more. But how does this affect you?

Anyone planning on building new developments in Australia will be affected by these changes, but don’t worry, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Building efficient properties will let you draw in more potential buyers, make your portfolio look more appealing, and give you results that you can be proud of. Keep reading below to explore exactly what the NCC changes are and what they mean for you.

Quick summary of the key NCC changes effective 1st May 2024

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary of the main changes to the NCC which came into effect earlier in 2024:

• Energy efficiency enhancements
• Livable housing design standards
• Condensation management requirements
• Fire safety updates
• Plumbing and drainage revisions

Detailed breakdown of changes in the NCC (National Construction Code) from 1st May 2024

If you have more time and want to learn exactly what these changes mean, we’ve broken them down so you can learn everything you need to before considering whether you need to change your building plans.

Energy efficiency enhancements

Residential energy efficiency requirements

• New houses need to have:
  • 7-star rating (out of 10) for the building shell, including roof, walls, windows, and floors. Energy efficiency features can include better insulation and orientation, ceiling fans, window design, and lighter-coloured roofs
  • Whole-of-home energy use allowance that covers the energy use of the home’s major appliances and any on-site renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) system
• New homes need to achieve 60% of net zero emissions, considering energy usage from heating and cooling, water heating, plug-in appliances, swimming pools, and more

Enhanced insulation standards

• The NCC 2024 introduces higher installation standards for walls, roofs, and floors to reduce heat loss
• These are designed to save money on energy bills and reduce carbon footprint

Improved glazing requirements

• New homes must feature high-performance glazing to improve thermal performance
• Glazing can either be double or triple glazing
• Must use low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings to reduce heat transfer through windows

Increased use of renewable energy

• The NCC changes encourages the integration of renewable energy systems in new builds
• Renewable energy sources, like solar panels, support Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy and help owners achieve energy independence

Thermal bridging minimisation

• Thermal bridging requires builders to use construction techniques and materials that minimise heat transfer through the building envelope
• This change improves overall thermal performance in new buildings

Learn more about the NCC energy efficiency requirements.

Liveable housing design standards

Improved accessibility

• New homes must now be more accessible
• This includes wider doors and hallways (1000 mm between finished surfaces), accessible toilets with a circulation space of 900 x 1200 mm, and grab rails
• Homes must feature one step-free shower with provisions for grab rails and step-free entry access into the home from the street

Learn more about the NCC disability access requirements.

Enhanced moisture control

• New builds need to include advanced moisture control technique measures
• Standards for ventilation are improved and held to a higher level than the 2022 code
• Effective moisture management is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of buildings and improving healthy indoor air quality

Fire safety

• The NCC includes new provisions to improve fire safety, including external wall assemblies to meet the new standards

How will these changes impact building costs?

The changes to the NCC 2022 are good news for homeowners. The updated liveable housing standard is a significant improvement for residents as it offers them more inclusive and accessible housing options for people with physical disabilities and of older ages. The changes can also make homes cheaper to run and healthier indoors thanks to improved air quality.

However, these changes will require substantial modifications to home designs and change the list of mandatory inclusions you need to remember as the developer. This will undoubtedly result in higher construction costs across the industry, and you’ll need to budget your investment to make sure your new build adheres to the new standard.

For example, more of your budget will need to stretch to new enhanced moisture control, so you might need to take away from the final decorating budget to accommodate this. If you don’t have any of your budget to spare for these new changes, you’ll need to increase the budget and therefore the overall asking price to make up for them.

What impact will these changes have on builders & developers?

Builders and designers will be impacted in a number of ways, including:

• Training costs: Builders and designers will need to go through extra training to understand the new livable housing and energy efficiency requirements. This will make sure they can incorporate the changes into their new houses effectively, keeping them up to the new standard rather than slipping into old habits.
• Longer development times: As you’ll need to introduce extra steps to adhere to the code changes, builders can expect their developments to take longer to complete, which might change the timeline of their future projects.
• Building development approval changes: Depending on their current building permits and plans, developers might need to adjust their building development application for approval. Even if you’ve already had your plans accepted, you may need to submit extra changes for approval before continuing with the building work.

How will these changes impact architects & designers?

Architects and designers will also need to adapt to certain changes, including:

• Design adjustments: Architectural design practices will need to adapt to the new standards, too, particularly regarding the new accessibility features and energy-efficient building envelopes. Designs that don’t include these new changes might not get picked up by developers anymore, so architects will need to go back through their portfolios and adjust their designs to keep them in line with the changes.
• Longer design processes: While they get used to these new changes, architects might need to project longer timeframes for their design processes to make sure they adhere to the new NCC 2024. Designers will undoubtedly have their own methods and habits, and these can take a while to adapt to the new requirements. Until this happens, they might need to give themselves more time to complete their building designs.

What is the timeline for these changes?

These changes have already come into place, commencing on 1 May 2024. Any designs that are submitted for building approval will now be considered against the new NCC 2024, so these changes need to be implemented before you submit your application.

Our tips for navigating the changes with your new home build

Changes to standards are always difficult to adjust to, so learning how to navigate these changes is essential when planning your future new build schedule. Here are some of our tips for navigating these new waters:

• Utilise a building certifier: Building certifiers inspect building projects before, during, and after the building process to make sure it’s been built to industry standard, so while you’re still getting used to the changes, we recommend using a trusted building certifier to make sure you’re adhering to the changes. This should give you peace of mind that your approval will be accepted in as short a time as possible.
• Longer projected timelines: Giving yourself grace during this grace period is the best way to keep stress levels low and make sure your design is built exactly to your requirements.
• Make sure your team is trained in the new standard: You’re only as good as the team you employ, so make sure any builders you’re outsourcing are trained in the new NCC changes to prevent them from halting your project due to outdated practices.
• Comb through your budget: These changes can be expensive, so make sure you comb through your budget before commencing work to see whether there’s anything you can cut back on before implementing these new changes. This will let you spread your budget further and hopefully keep the overall projected costs lower, so you won’t have to increase the selling price to account for them.
• Use trusted suppliers: Suppliers should only be stocking supplies that adhere to these new changes, for example, triple and double-glazed windows, but some might still have single-glazed windows on sale to get rid of their stock. Use trusted suppliers only to make sure everything you’re using is up to code and not going to get you in hot water with your certifier.

Explore other NCC requirements and regulations

• NCC energy efficiency requirements
• NCC waterproofing requirements
• NCC floor waste requirements class 1
• NCC handrail requirements
• NCC disability access requirements

Get free advice from a building broker on your new build

Changes to building standards and codes are often challenging to tackle – especially when there are so many changes to remember! Buildi’s professional building brokers can help you adhere to these changes to make minimal disruption to your process as possible, so why not get in touch with us today at 1300 947 132 or through our Contact Form to get free advice today?!