The preview editions of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 were released on Sunday, 1 February 2026 and are now available via the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) website: https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/
These documents are not issued for public comment and represent a preview of the final NCC 2025 which, subject to decisions by individual state and territory governments, may be adopt from 1 May 2026. No formal announcements by any state have been made at this time, however jurisdiction‑specific transition arrangements are expected.
We note that a supplementary document has also been released, as some sections of the NCC remain omitted pending completion of the final Code.
Key areas of change
The most significant updates are contained within Volume One (Class 2–9 buildings), with changes primarily relating to:
- Updated referenced documents
- Weatherproofing and waterproofing of balconies in apartment buildings
- Commercial energy efficiency provisions
- Alternative referenced documents
There are no substantive changes to Volume Two, which applies to housing, other than alignment with updated Australian Standards and other referenced documents.
Next steps for members
AGWA is currently reviewing the NCC 2025 preview documents. Key information and practical implications for members will be shared progressively through member forums which are occurring in each State between February and April. Further updates will be provided, including final adoption and transition arrangements for individual jurisdictions, as more information becomes available.